The novel is a story of three orphan brothers and their struggles in their lower-class neighborhood. The boys and their friends are in a group called “The Greasers” and another group in the novel are called “The Socials,” or the Socs. As the novel progresses, readers see a divide between the two groups that eventually draws to a tragic close. At the end of the book, we learn that the two groups really aren’t all that different.

Eighth grade teachers, Paige Wood and Lora Saso, said the celebration takes place after all eighth grade RLA levels conclude reading and analyzing the novel.

They said this celebration helps further instill the themes found in the book, which align well with the values Frenship educators teach every day.

“Themes found in the novel include empathy, individual identity, friendship, and honor – all values we want to instill in our students,” Wood said.

She said before “Outsiders Day” the Pre-AP and on-level students read and analyze the novel.

“Pre-AP students write a literary analysis about one of the themes of the novel and on-level students reflect on the characters and conflicts that occur throughout the novel,” Wood said. “All students learn about 1950’s and 1960’s clothing and culture”

On “Outsiders Day,” the classes combine to watch the movie adaptation of the novel, said Saso. They also participate in the “Relay Rumble” where they compete in activities relating to “The Outsiders.”

“Classes complete in a variety of activities which encourage teamwork and building unity in the class,” Saso said. “Students and teachers enjoy dressing up as Greasers and Socs. Students were thrilled at the chance to get out of the classroom, to work together to complete the task set in the Relay Rumble, and to build lifelong memories.”