Declaring Identity: Being Jazz (2020)

Lesson 12
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ELA

Unit 11

6th Grade

Lesson 12 of 28

Objective


Explain how specific sentences, text features, and paragraphs contribute to the structure and meaning of Being Jazz.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings  pp. 87 – 95

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does this chapter fit into the overall structure of the text? Why is this chapter significant? Explain your thinking.

Key Questions


  • Look back at the beginning of each chapter you have read so far. What does Jazz include at the beginning of each chapter? What is the impact of these short quotes?
  • Read the first sentence of chapter 8. What is the impact of this sentence? How does it fit into the structure of this chapter (and even the text overall)?
  • Why does Jazz include the paragraph on page 91 that begins, “It’s really important to understand…”? What idea does this paragraph develop?
  • Discussion: Why do you think physical transition is so important to Jazz (and other trans kids and adults)?
  • Discussion: On page 91, Jazz says, “take the initiative to educate yourself [about transgender surgery].” Why do you think she says this? Why shouldn’t cis people just ask transgender people questions like that?

Lesson Guidance


Notes

  • This chapter includes discussion of genitalia.
  • Puberty is very likely something your students will be thinking about—and perhaps talking about with their peers. You may wish to invite the school nurse or health teacher to your class to answer questions students might have.
  • You may wish to show a short video or have students read one of these articles to provide more schema around hormones and hormone blockers for trans youth. "Transgender Kids Could Get Hormone Therapy At Earlier Ages" by NBC Bay Area is a good resource.

Homework

  • Read Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen, pages 97–106.

Standard and Literary Concepts

  • Once students have answered the first Key Question, introduce the concept of an epigraph: a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme.

Common Core Standards


  • RI.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

Next

Explain how Jazz’s narrative style develops her point of view and the impact of this on readers.

Lesson 13
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