Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Research Writing

Create an outline for a slideshow presentation.

Standards

W.9-10.5W.9-10.8

Research Writing

Design and build an information slideshow presentation, complete with clear bullet points images, and a written paragraph in the speaker notes.

Standards

SL.9-10.4SL.9-10.5W.9-10.2W.9-10.2.aW.9-10.2.bW.9-10.2.cW.9-10.6

Build background knowledge about the Iranian Revolution in preparation for Reading Lolita in Tehran.

“The Revolution that Led to the Iran We Know Today”

Standards

RI.9-10.2SL.9-10.1

Analyze how Nafisi opens her memoir and what events led her to create a reading group.

Reading Lolita in Tehran pp. 1–21

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

Analyze how certain events and anecdotes further develop Nafiisi's ideas about life in Tehran.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 24–34, 37–40

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4

Analyze how the reading group develops Nafisi's ideas about insubordination.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 44–55, 56–59

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5

Analyze Rushdie's purpose and rhetorical choices in his essay "On Censorship."

“On Censorship”

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.6

Analyze the impact of the reading group on the girls' identities and how that relates to Nafisi's theme of individuality.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 59–67, 70–77

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

Narrative Writing

Study a mentor text and plan a scene in which you describe your journey from school to home.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 26–27

Standards

RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5W.9-10.3

Narrative Writing

Write a scene describing your journey from school to home using Nafisi's structure as well as descriptive details, figurative language, and other stylistic elements.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 26–27
Part I Narrative Writing Rubric (G10, U5, L11)

Standards

W.9-10.3

Analyze how and why Nafisi uses flashbacks to structure her memoir.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 81–96

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5

Analyze the shifting mood of the revolution and how it impacts life at the university.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 111–113, and 117–121

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3

Analyze Lorraine Ali's purpose in her article "Behind the Veil."

“Behind the Veil”

Standards

RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.6

Analyze how the Gatsby trial further develops Nafisi's theme about the importance of literature.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 122–136

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.6

Analyze how individuals show resistance to the government's cultural revolution as it impacts the University of Tehran.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 137–140, 146–153

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5

Analyze how Nafisi grapples with the moral dilemma of complying with wearing the veil to return to teaching.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 160–182

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

Analyze how Nafisi develops the theme of the importance of art to individuals and to a community.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 190–196, 204–206, 217–222

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.5

Analyze how Rumi conveys meaning through imagery and figurative language.

“Rumi poetry (G10, U5, L19)”
Chart paper
Colored markers

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4SL.9-10.1

Analyze the role of imagination and courage in our relationship to others and our society.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 232–235, 238–246, 248–253

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

Analyze the mood and structure at the start of Part 4.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 257–266, 269–273, 277–283

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5

Writing

Write a short descriptive scene that establishes mood through diction and imagery.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — 257

Standards

RI.9-10.4W.9-10.3

Analyze the internal and external conflicts the women and Nafisi face over the decision to leave Iran.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 283–288, 295–301, 311–314

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

Analyze how the final anecdotes of the memoir develop Nafisi's themes about choice, freedom, and fiction.

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 315–328, 330–339

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic seminar about Reading Lolita in Tehran by supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

Reading Lolita in Tehran

Standards

SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1.aSL.9-10.1.bSL.9-10.1.cSL.9-10.1.dSL.9-10.4

Performance Task

Brainstorm ideas for a personal narrative essay and complete a graphic organizer for the chosen topic.

Personal Narrative Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L26)

Standards

W.9-10.4

Performance Task

Complete an outline for a personal narrative.

Personal Narrative Essay Outline (G10, U5, L27)

Standards

W.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Performance Task

Complete a draft of a personal narrative.

Standards

W.9-10.3.aW.9-10.3.bW.9-10.3.cW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.5

Performance Task

Provide feedback on a classmate's personal narrative and revise one's own personal narrative using suggestions from a peer review.