Curriculum / ELA / 5th Grade / Alternate Unit 2: Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender / Lesson 11
ELA
Alternate Unit 2
5th Grade
Lesson 11 of 29
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Explain what happens to Tío Felipe and how Mari and her family respond.
Book: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez pp. 121 – 136
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This reading lesson depicts sexual assault and harrassment. Be mindful of how your students may respond.
In this section of text, Tío Felipe is picked up by la migra. Depending on individual student lives, this may be a sensitive topic. If needed, plan additional supports to help students feel safe and to answer any questions they may have. Potential resources to refer to during your intellectual preparation (not to be shared with students) include:
This section of the text contains depictions of gun violence when Tyler references death by firing squad. This may be difficult for some readers. We understand that these depictions can cause discomfort, distress, or trigger traumatic memories for some individuals. We advise that you exercise caution when reading today.
Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
What happens to Tío Felipe? How do Mari and her family respond? Why?
An example response to the Target Task at the level of detail expected of the students.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What does it mean to "lay low"? Why do Mari and her family need to lay low? Compare and contrast how different family members respond to needing to lay low.
Read the sentences from page 132: "Tyler heaved the hugest sigh, like he was off to a firing squad to be shot to death for a crime he never committed." "When he twisted around, he looked like I had just granted him a pardon." How does the figurative language help a reader better understand Tyler? Is Tyler's situation as dire as the description suggests? Defend why or why not.
What does the phrase "push the envelope" mean? How does it relate to the Paquette family?
What can be inferred about Mari based on her petition to the Virgin of Guadalupe regarding Tío Felipe?
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
petition
v.
make or present a formal request with respect to a particular cause
culpable
adj.
deserving blame
escorted
to go with someone to provide protection or guidance
unburden
to take a problem or burden from someone
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RL.5.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL.5.3 — Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.5.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.5.4.b — Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
L.5.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
RF.5.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.5.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RL.5.1 — Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.5.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.5.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4—5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
SL.5.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
W.5.10 — 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.
Lesson 10
Lesson 12
Explain what stereotypes are and why stereotypes should be avoided.
RI.5.1 SL.5.1
Describe the conditions for migrant workers in Vermont.
SL.5.1 SL.5.2 W.5.1
Explain what happens in the chapter that Tyler doesn't fully understand.
RL.5.3
Explain how the letter helps a reader better understand Mari and her relationship with her family.
Defend if hope and fear play important roles in Mari's life.
RL.5.2 RL.5.3
Explain what the events of the chapter suggest about Tyler.
Describe what happens on the bus and how the incident influences Mari and Tyler.
Defend if all members of the family have equal amounts of hope and fear.
Discussion
Close-read a text in order to determine the challenges of being an undocumented Mexican laborer.
RL.5.2 RL.5.3 SL.5.1
Writing
Outline a multiple-paragraph essay to describe what life was like for undocumented workers.
W.5.1 W.5.1.a W.5.1.b W.5.1.c W.5.1.d W.5.9.a
Discussion & Writing
Compare and contrast Mari and Tyler by comparing and contrasting two or more characters in a text.
L.5.1.e RL.5.2 RL.5.3 RL.5.6 SL.5.1
Write a multiple-paragraph essay comparing and contrasting Mari and Tyler.
RL.5.3 W.5.1 W.5.1.a W.5.1.b W.5.1.c W.5.1.d W.5.9.a
Analyze and defend if Tyler and Mari are developing a true friendship.
Close-read a text to determine what traditions are important in Mexican culture and explain how they help bring the Cruzes and the Paquettes together.
RI.5.1 RL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.5
Describe what motion is proposed at town meeting and analyze how different members in the community respond and why.
Summarize what the coyotes are demanding and what impact this has on Mari and her family and the Paquettes.
Summarize the key events from Mari's letter.
Defend if Tyler has changed and if he truly understands Mari.
Summarize what happened to Mari's parents and compare and contrast Mari's response with other members of the Cruz and Paquette family.
Analyze if Mari is a brave and noble young lady.
Write a multiple-paragraph essay to describe what life was like for undocumented Mexican laborers and their families.
Defend if Stars and Swallows is the right name for the farm.
Compare and contrast Mari and Tyler and the way their relationship impacts both of their lives by stating a theory and supporting it with evidence from the entire text.
L.5.1.e RL.5.2 RL.5.3 SL.5.1
Analyze and debate unit essential questions using details and understandings from the entire unit.
RL.5.2 RL.5.3 SL.5.1 SL.5.2
Assessment
Opinion Writing – 3 days
Write an opinion piece defending if Mari and her family should have been allowed to stay.
L.5.1.e W.5.1 W.5.1.a W.5.1.b W.5.1.c W.5.1.d
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