Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 5: Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran / Lesson 5
ELA
Unit 5
10th Grade
Lesson 5 of 29
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Analyze how Nafisi opens her memoir and what events led her to create a reading group.
Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi pp. 1 – 21
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
Nafisi states that the theme of her reading group was the "relation between fiction and reality" (6). What connections can you make between the experience of Nabokov's character Cincinnatus C. on page 20 and Nafisi's characterization of the girls at the opening of her memoir?
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What events lead to Nafisi's reading group? How does she select her students, and what is her goal for the class?
Why does Nafisi spend so much time describing the living room in Chapter 2? What does that space represent to her?
What is Nafisi's purpose in describing in detail each of her students' arrival, clothing, and mannerisms on pages 12–16?
What is upsilamba? How do the students explain the word? What is the significance of the girls' discussion of the word's meaning?
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
memoir
a nonfiction narrative writing genre based on the author's personal memories
inimitable
adj.
(p. 6)
so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique
transgression
n.
(p. 8)
an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi — pp. 24–34 and 37–40
While reading, answer the following questions.
Who was the blind censor? What was his job in the regime?
From which of the girls' perspectives does Nafisi describe the walk home from the reading group?
How do female students have to enter the university? Why?
How does Nafisi characterize Yassi?
What question can the girls not answer—not yet?
Where did the girls open up? Why?
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RI.9-10.3 — Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
RI.9-10.5 — Analyze in detail how an author's ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text (e.g., a section or chapter).
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.9-10.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.9-10.6 — Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
RI.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.
RI.9-10.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
RI.9-10.10 — By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 9—10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.<br />By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 9—10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
SL.9-10.1 — Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9—10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL.9-10.6 — Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
W.9-10.9.b — Apply grades 9—10 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning").
W.9-10.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Next
Analyze how certain events and anecdotes further develop Nafiisi's ideas about life in Tehran.
Develop questions for a research topic, gather and evaluate the credibility of sources, and begin to take notes for research.
Standards
W.9-10.7W.9-10.8
Create an outline for a slideshow presentation.
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.
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.
RI.9-10.2SL.9-10.1
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4
Analyze how the reading group develops Nafisi's ideas about insubordination.
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5
Analyze Rushdie's purpose and rhetorical choices in his essay "On Censorship."
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.
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.
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.
W.9-10.3
Analyze how and why Nafisi uses flashbacks to structure her memoir.
Analyze the shifting mood of the revolution and how it impacts life at the university.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3
Analyze Lorraine Ali's purpose in her article "Behind the Veil."
RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.6
Analyze how the Gatsby trial further develops Nafisi's theme about the importance of literature.
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.
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.
Analyze how Nafisi develops the theme of the importance of art to individuals and to a community.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.5
Analyze how Rumi conveys meaning through imagery and figurative language.
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.
Analyze the mood and structure at the start of Part 4.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5
Write a short descriptive scene that establishes mood through diction and imagery.
RI.9-10.4W.9-10.3
Analyze the internal and external conflicts the women and Nafisi face over the decision to leave Iran.
Analyze how the final anecdotes of the memoir develop Nafisi's themes about choice, freedom, and fiction.
Engage in a Socratic seminar about Reading Lolita in Tehran by supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.
SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1.aSL.9-10.1.bSL.9-10.1.cSL.9-10.1.dSL.9-10.4
Brainstorm ideas for a personal narrative essay and complete a graphic organizer for the chosen topic.
W.9-10.4
Complete an outline for a personal narrative.
W.9-10.4W.9-10.5
Complete a draft of a personal narrative.
W.9-10.3.aW.9-10.3.bW.9-10.3.cW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.5
Provide feedback on a classmate's personal narrative and revise one's own personal narrative using suggestions from a peer review.
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