Lesson 15 | American Born Chinese | 7th Grade English

American Born Chinese pp. 43–52
“That's Not Who I Am: Calling Out and Challenging Stereotypes of Asian Americans”
“Heart and Humor: How American Sitcoms Reflect Society”

Standards

RI.7.6RL.7.5

Lesson

Contrast different characters' perspectives and explain how the author develops them through the structure of the graphic novel.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 55–84

Standards

RL.7.5RL.7.6

Lesson

Explain how characters' behavior and beliefs are shaped by events, settings, and other characters in American Born Chinese.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 87–106

Standards

RL.7.3RL.7.5

Lesson

Writing

5 days

Overview

Write an informational letter that informs and recommends.

Day 1 - Planning

Research and collect information from credible sources that include precise language and domain-specific vocabulary about an individual's accomplishments.

Materials

Two-Column Notes Template (G6–8)
List of Asian/Pacific Americans (G7, U5)

Standards

W.7.6W.7.7W.7.8

Day 2 - Planning

Draft an outline that includes precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform the reader about your individual.

Materials

Informational Multi-Paragraph Outline (G6–8)

Standards

W.7.10W.7.5W.7.8

Day 3 - Drafting / Language

Draft a letter that incorporates compound-complex sentences and informs the reader using a formal style.

Standards

L.7.1.bW.7.2.e

Day 4 - Drafting

Draft a conclusion to a letter that supports and emphasizes the individual's accomplishments.

Materials

Informational Multi-Paragraph Outline (G6–8)
Stamp Template (G7, U5, L8)

Standards

W.7.2.dW.7.2.eW.7.2.f

Day 5 - Publishing

Writers use technology to publish their letters and interact with others to learn about the extraordinary and enduring contributions of the AAPI community.

Materials

Directions to Create an EduBlog Slide Deck (G7, U5, L8)
Stamp Advisory Committee Note Catcher (G7, U5, L8)

Standards

W.7.2W.7.6

Lesson

Identify and contrast different characters' perspectives and explain how the author develops them.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 109–130

Standards

RL.7.6

Lesson

Identify themes and explain how the author structures the panels to develop the themes over the course of a chapter.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 133–160

Standards

RL.7.2RL.7.5

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Explain how characters' behavior and beliefs are shaped by events, societal factors, and by other characters.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 163–198

Standards

RL.7.3

Lesson

Analyze how the author structures the climax and resolution of the novel to reveal a theme of American Born Chinese.

Materials

American Born Chinese pp. 201–233

Standards

RL.7.2RL.7.5

Lesson

Analyze the author's purpose for writing American Born Chinese.

Materials

“This Chinese American cartoonist forces us to face racist stereotypes”
American Born Chinese — Afterword

Standards

RI.7.3RI.7.6

progress
monitoring

Lesson

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic Seminar with peers, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text and topic by posing and responding to questions and providing evidence to support ideas.

Standards

SL.7.1SL.7.1.aSL.7.1.bSL.7.1.dSL.7.4

Lesson

Writing

4 days

Overview

Extend the ending of American Born Chinese by developing imagined experiences that build on the plot and maintain the author's style.

Day 1 - Planning

Plan an extended ending for American Born Chinese that builds on the plot of the story.

Materials

Sequence of Events Graphic Organizer (G7, U5, L15)

Standards

W.7.3W.7.3.aW.7.3.e

Day 2 - Drafting

Draft text features of a graphic novel that convey the plot points on the planning page.

Materials

Sequence of Events Graphic Organizer (G7, U5, L15)
Graphic Novel Template (G7, U5, L15)

Standards

W.7.3.b

Day 3 - Drafting/Language

Draft an extended ending to American Born Chinese that uses transitional language in compound-complex sentences to sequence events and indicate shifts in setting.

Materials