Summer Reading 2014
Sophomore Honors English Summer Reading
Black Boy by Richard Wright (Chapters 1- 14)
Essential Question: During Richard Wright’s evolution, what are his priorities at the various
stages of his life and where does that place him on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?
Based on Maslow’s theory of the Hierarchy of Needs, during their lifetime people’s priorities shift
depending upon their needs. In Richard Wright’s maturation process, he passes through various
stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy.
Your Assignment:
1. Read the provided article on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
2. Read Black Boy chapters 1-14. Analyze Richard's character at the end of each chapter to
determine where Richard is on Maslow's Hierarchy at that point in his life.
3. Select one quotation from each chapter that illustrates an obstacle he is facing or an obstacle
he has overcome that supports his placement on Maslow’s pyramid. Label chapter number
and cite properly.
4. Select a quotation from the article to pair with each chapter quotation that supports his
placement on the Hierarchy. Cite properly.
5. Duplicate the pyramid from the Maslow sample below onto a poster board (approximately
20"x36"). Label the various stages and place the quotations on the appropriate stage of the
pyramid. Title each level and give a one to two sentence explanation of that level. Color,
neatness and detail are expected.
6. Write a one page, typed reflection (Times New Roman 12 pt font) about how Richard
Wright's experiences determined his placement on Maslow's Hierarchy. Write only one page,
and use your best writing and editing skills to compose it.
7. Attach the rubric to the back of your poster for grading purposes.
*Note: You will have a total of 28 quotations, one quotation from each chapter paired with one
quotation from the information you have been provided on Maslow's Hierarchy.
Questions? Contact us!
Ms. Shea: [email protected]
Ms. Gonsalves: [email protected]
Ms. Roser: [email protected]
Ms. Gibbons: [email protected]
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS!!!
Hierarchy of Needs
The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
By Kendra Cherry
What motivates behavior? According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions
are motivated in order achieve certain needs. Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy
of needs in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" and his subsequent book
Motivation and Personality. This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic
needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.
This hierarchy is most often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made
up of the most basic needs, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid.
Needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food,
water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to
the next level of needs, which are for safety and security.
As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon,
the need for love, friendship, and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need
for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority. Maslow emphasized the
importance of self-actualization, which is a process of growing and developing as a person in
order to achieve individual potential.
Types of Needs
Abraham Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a major role in
motivating behavior. Physiological, security, social, and esteem needs are deficiency needs (also
known as D-needs), meaning that these needs arise due to deprivation. Satisfying these lowerlevel needs is important in order to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences.
Maslow termed the highest-level of the pyramid as growth needs (also known as being needs or
B-needs). Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow
as a person.
Five Levels of the Hierarchy of Needs
There are five different levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:
Physiological Needs
These include the most basic needs that are vital to survival, such as the need for water, air,
food, and sleep. Maslow believed that these needs are the most basic and instinctive needs
in the hierarchy because all needs become secondary until these physiological needs are
met.
Security Needs
These include needs for safety and security. Security needs are important for survival, but
they are not as demanding as the physiological needs. Examples of security needs include a
desire for steady employment, health care, safe neighborhoods, and shelter from the
environment.
Social Needs
These include needs for belonging, love, and affection. Maslow described these needs as
less basic than physiological and security needs. Relationships such as friendships, romantic
attachments, and families help fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance, as does
involvement in social, community, or religious groups.
Esteem Needs
After the first three needs have been satisfied, esteem needs becomes increasingly
important. These include the need for things that reflect on self-esteem, personal worth,
social recognition, and accomplishment.
Self-actualizing Needs
This is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Self-actualizing people are selfaware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and
interested fulfilling their potential.
Name________________________________________________
Black Boy/ Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Assignment Rubric
Review of Directions: Construct a poster board that depicts the pyramid and the 5 levels and where
Richard Wright falls for each chapter 1-14.
Draw the pyramid and five levels.
Color, neatness and detail are expected.
Title each level and give a one to two sentence explanation of that level.
Choose one quotation for each chapter and place it correctly on the hierarchy writing the quotation in
that area.
Attach a one page typed summary (Times New Roman 12 pt font) to the back of the poster board
about your poster and what you learned about the hierarchy and Richard Wright. Include a brief
explanation about where you believe you fall on the hierarchy. Do not write more than one page and
use your best writing and editing skills to compose it. Be sure your name is on the attached document
and the back of the poster (no name on the front).
Attach this sheet to the back of your poster for the teacher to use for grading purposes.
25 points—neatness, color, effort
Score _____
25 points—accuracy of hierarchy depiction and quotation placement Score _____
25 points—a relevant quotation for each chapter present
25 points—one page self-analysis
Total
Score _____
Score _____
Grade total _____________