Curriculum  /  ELA  /  7th Grade  /  Unit 3: Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun  /  Lesson 13

Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 13 of 26

Objective

Compare and contrast the film version of A Raisin in the Sun with the original text to explain the impact of specific techniques used by the filmmaker on the meaning and experience of the play.

Readings and Materials

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 86 – 95 — begin after "Beneatha and George exit"

  • Movie: A Raisin in the Sun  — (1:07:28–1:14:48)

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A Note for Teachers

Though the film is not rated, the film contains offensive language that may be distressing for students. The film also contains depictions of excessive alcohol consumption. For further guidance, review the Parents' Guide to A Raisin in the Sun from Common Sense Media as a part of intellectual preparation.

Target Task

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Discussion & Writing Prompt

What is significant about the Younger family buying a home in Clybourne Park? How does the house's location shape the characters' reactions to Mama's news in both the play and the movie? Cite evidence from both sources to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun & Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

Sample Response

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Key Questions

Key Questions

  • What does having their own house symbolize for Mama? Cite evidence from the text to support your thinking. (A Raisin in the Sun)

  • Contrast Ruth and Walter's reactions to the news and how it's portrayed in the play and the movie. Cite evidence from both sources to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun & Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

  • Why does the filmmaker choose certain camera angles in the scene where Mama tells Ruth and Walter about the house from 1:09:42–1:12:59? (Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

  • What does Mama buying the house symbolize to Walter? Provide examples to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun)

Exit Ticket

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

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Vocabulary

Literary Terms

setting

the physical location (geography, neighborhood, house, etc.) time period, time of day, season, weather, social context where the action of a story takes place

Text-based

hostility

n.

(p. 92)

anger and aggression

exuberant

adj.

(p. 93)

very enthusiastic

Homework

Assign

To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 96 – 109

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens when Mrs. Johnson comes to visit?

  • How do Ruth and Mama respond to Mrs. Johnson's visit?

  • What has Walter been doing the last 3 days?

  • What news does Mama give Walter in this scene?

  • How does Walter's tone shift in this scene?

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Common Core Standards

  • RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • RL.7.7 — Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.7.6
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.10

Next

Analyze how the playwright structures A Raisin in the Sun to develop character perspectives.

Lesson 14
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