Believing in Yourself: The Wild Book

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 5

4th Grade

Lesson 8 of 19

Objective


Explain what evidence the author includes to support the idea that the narrator feels safe and what she feels safe from.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Wild Book by Margarita Engle  pp. 75 – 91

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A Note for Teachers


The poem "Hideous" on page 87 includes a reference to an older man commenting on Fefa's wild book suggestively and offers Fefa, a young girl, a kiss. Consider skipping this poem while teaching this lesson.

If you choose to include the poem, preview the content with students. Explain to students that sometimes other people might make comments to people about their body or how they look. These comments might make the other person feel yucky, embarrassed, scared, or mad. It is not okay and it is not that person's fault that it happened to them. Men often do it because they are in the position of power and it makes them feel more powerful. It's like bullying and it is not okay. In this case, what Fausto does is not okay and it makes Fefa feel uncomfortable. She feels embarrassed and doesn't share what he said with anyone else, but if something like this happens to you, you should speak up and say something to a trusted adult. For additional resources on teaching consent, read Teaching Consent Doesn't Have to Be Hard from Teaching Tolerance. 

 

Target Task


Writing Prompt

What evidence does the author include to support the idea that the narrator almost feels safe? What is she seeking safety from?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • "Ready to Heal": What is the significance of the sentence, "Perhaps my way of hearing / has somehow / changed?" (p. 75) Why?

  • "Strange Cures": What is different between Fefa's perspective and her brother's perspective on him teaching her? Why does her brother decide to be a teacher?

  • "Reading Out Loud": How is Fefa feeling? What description does the author include to show how she is feeling?

  • "Fear-Chained": What is the significance of the title? Use the word anxious in your answer. 

  • "Just One": How does Fefa begin to feel calm and safe? What is the significance of the title?

  • "The Secret Language of Children": Why do you think this game is hard for Fefa?

  • "Hideous": What happened in this poem that is adding to Fefa's fear?

  • "Danger Grows": What is the significance of the title?

  • "A Laughter Gift": What is the significance of the ending?

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


advise

v.

(p. 75)

to give an opinion on what should be done

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.4.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
  • RL.4.3 — Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
L.4.5
L.4.6
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RL.4.1
RL.4.4
RL.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10
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Lesson 7

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Lesson 9

Lesson Map

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