The Outsiders
Time Required: 2-3 class periods
Suggested Grade Level: 9
Arkansas Standards of Learning – Social Studies
EF.1.E.3 – Explain the concepts of tradeoffs
EF.2.E.1 – Analyze the four factors of production (natural resources, human resources, capital
resources, entrepreneurship)
MI.7.E.2 – Analyze the influence improved factors of production have on the productivity of
individual industries
PFM.11.E.2 – Interpret factors affecting income (career choices and potential income, education
and training)
Common Core State Standards – Reading, Literature and Writing
CCSS.ELA – Literacy.RL.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis
of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
CCSS.ELA – Literacy.RL.9-10.3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple
or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text,
interact with other characters, and advance the plot or
develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7: Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two
different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or
absent in each treatment
CCSS.ELA – Literacy.W.9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of
substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA – Literacy.W.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey
complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and
accurately through the effective selection, organization, and
analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to
answer a question (including a self-generated question) or
solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when
appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Economic Concepts:
Capital resources – goods used to make other goods and services
Human resources – knowledge and skills possessed by workers and used in production
Natural resources – resources that occur naturally in the environment
Opportunity costs – next best alternative foregone when a choice is made
Tradeoffs – a choice that involves giving up some of one thing to have more of another
Activity 1: What would you want?
Ponyboy and Johnny have to run away from town and hideout in an old abandoned church in the
countryside. List three things that they would want to have with them to make life easier and
help pass the time. Explain your reasoning and show how these particular items would improve
their standard of living at the abandoned church.
1. _____________________
2. ______________________ 3. ____________________
Activity 2: Help Ponyboy Make A Choice
Following the tragic incident between Johnny and the drunken Soc named Bob, Ponyboy and
Johnny must decide what to do next. They have the following 4 choices:
1. Turn themselves in
2. Run away to the countryside
3. Recruit their fellow Greasers and seek revenge
4. Try to arrange a truce between Socs and Greasers
Explain your answer by including the costs and benefits from the choice you think the boys
should make.
Activity 3: Group Presentations
In the book, the author discusses the rivalry between the Socs and the Greasers. What other
groups in recent history have clashed? Have bad things happened as a result of this rivalry? Can
we learn from this experience and avoid potential tragedies through increased dialogue? Please
explain in your own words.
Activity 4: Tools for the Brain (Writing Assignment)
Ponyboy mentions that he is a good student who loves to write. He also loves reading books
when he gets a chance. How might this help him to increase his earnings potential in the future?
What should he start doing differently to ensure that he has many opportunities later in life? Is
this advice that you yourself are following as well? What differences could you make in your
own life to help ensure a better future? Please explain.
Activity 5: Writing Assignment
Watch The Outsiders on film. Compare and contrast the scene in the park where Johnny kills
Bob. How does the scene differ between the text and the film? What similarities still remain?
Please explain.