Exploring Identity: American Born Chinese

Lesson 2
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 5

7th Grade

Lesson 2 of 22

Objective


Identify and contrast different characters’ points of view and explain how Yang develops them through text and illustrations.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang  pp. 7 – 20

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does the Monkey King’s perspective of himself change over the course of the chapter? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey this change in perspective? Support your answer with specific evidence.

Sample Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Sample Response

Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is the genre of the story in this chapter? How do you know? Pull out at least three details that support your answer.

  • How is the Monkey King viewed by the residents of his kingdom? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey this point of view? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

  • How does the guard’s perspective of the Monkey King differ from the way the Monkey King sees himself? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey the differences in their points of view? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

  • How do the party guests and guard initially react to the Monkey King? How does their point of view of him change by the time he leaves the party? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

Vocabulary


Text-based

deity

n.

(p. 8)

a god or goddess

frolic

v.

(p. 8)

 to play and move cheerfully

Homework


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.

  • Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang  pp. 23 – 40

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where was Jin born? Where does he spend the first few years of his life?

  • What does Jin say he wants to be when he grows up?

  • How do the other students at Mayflower Elementary treat Jin when he first arrives? Provide two examples.

  • How does Jin feel about himself?

  • How does Jin initially treat Wei-Chen?

  • By the end of the chapter, how does Jin feel about Wei-Chen?

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.7.5
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
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 1

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 3

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free