Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Develop questions for a research topic, gather and evaluate the credibility of sources, and begin to take notes for research.

Informational Presentation Rubric (G10, U5)
Informational Presentation Mentor Text (G10, U5)
Research Topics and Descriptions (G10, U5, L1)
Research Note-Taking Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L1)
Guide for Determining Credibility and Usefulness

Standards

W.9-10.7W.9-10.8

Create an outline for a slideshow presentation.

Informational Presentation Outline (G10, U5, L2)
Informational Presentation Mentor Outline (G10, U5, L2)

Standards

W.9-10.5W.9-10.8

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

Informational Presentation Mentor Text (G10, U5)

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 and discuss themes in the unit text, Reading Lolita in Tehran.

“The Revolution that Led to the Iran We Know Today”
Four Corners Activity Questionnaire (G10, U5)

Standards

RI.9-10.2SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1.cSL.9-10.1.d

Discussion

Analyze how Nafisi opens her memoir and characterizes her students.

Reading Lolita in Tehran pp. 1–21
Characterization of Reading Group Members Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L5)

Standards

RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5

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

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 24–34 and 37–40
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G10, U5, L6)

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 and 56–59

Standards

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

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 and 70–77

Standards

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

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
Narrative Writing Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L10)

Standards

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

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
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. 96–106, 111–113, and 117–121

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3

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 and 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 Rumi conveys meaning through imagery and figurative language.

“Selected Poems by Rumi”
Rumi Poetry Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L16)
Chart paper
Colored markers

Standards

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

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

Reading Lolita in Tehran — pp. 257–266, 269–273, and 277–283
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G10, U5, L17)
Descriptive Scene Graphic Organizer (G10, U5, L17)

Standards

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

Analyze the internal and external conflicts the women in the reading group and Nafisi face over the decision to leave the totalitarian theocracy of Iran.