Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 5: Exploring Identity: American Born Chinese / Lesson 9
ELA
Unit 5
7th Grade
Lesson 9 of 22
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Identify themes and explain how Yang develops these over the course of a chapter.
Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang pp. 133 – 160
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
What theme does this chapter develop on the topic of self-acceptance? Provide at least two pieces of evidence from the text that support this theme.
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
How is Wong Lai-Tsao able to achieve "legendary status" as a monk even though he is unable to meditate, fast, or preach? Provide evidence from pages 133-138 to support your answer.
What thematic topics does Yang explore through Wong Lai-Tsao’s story on pages 133-140?
What theme do these pages develop on the thematic topic of devotion? Provide at least two pieces of evidence from the text that support this theme.
How and why does the Monkey King’s perspective change over the course of 143-160? Provide specific evidence from these pages to support your answer.
What thematic topics does this chapter explore through the story of the Monkey King on pages 143-160?
What ultimately motivates the Monkey King to accept his true identity? Think about a time that you changed your mind about something that you believed strongly—what prompted that change?
Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
devotion
n.
loyalty and faithfulness
theme
the author’s message in the text about the way the world works or what it means to be human. Generally applied to literary texts (fiction, poetry, dramatic works).
thematic topic
a one- or two-word phrase that describes the overarching topic of a text or section of text.
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
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. 163 – 198
While reading, answer the following questions.
What does Jin ask Wei-Chen to do for him at the beginning of this chapter?
How does Jin’s date with Amelia go?
How does Jin feel after the date?
What does Greg ask Jin to do?
What does Suzy tell Jin when they are sitting together on a bench?
What does Jin do?
How does Wei-Chen respond when he finds out?
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RL.7.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.7.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
RL.7.1 — Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
RL.7.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.7.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.7.6 — Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
W.7.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.7.1.a — Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
W.7.1.b — Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
W.7.4 — Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.7.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.7.9.a — Apply grade 7 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history").
W.7.10 — 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 8
Lesson 10
Explain the basic features of a graphic novel, approaches to reading a graphic novel, and how structure contributes to meaning.
RI.7.2 RI.7.5
Identify and contrast different characters’ points of view and explain how Yang develops them through text and illustrations.
RL.7.6
Explain how Yang uses both text, images, and structure to develop meaning in American Born Chinese.
RL.7.5
Identify several pervasive stereotypes about Asian Americans and explain how stereotypes can impact a person’s behavior and beliefs.
RI.7.3
Explain how Yang uses the structure of a sitcom to create meaning American Born Chinese.
Explain how characters’ behavior and beliefs are shaped by events, setting, and by other characters in American Born Chinese.
RL.7.3
RL.7.2
Explain how characters’ behavior and beliefs are shaped by events and by other characters, and how specific events propel the plot of American Born Chinese.
Craft objective summaries of specific sections of text in the final chapter of American Born Chinese.
Identify themes in American Born Chinese, and explain how Yang develops them over the course of the text.
Explain how Yang’s own life experiences influenced the content of his graphic novel, American Born Chinese.
Socratic Seminar
Engage in a Socratic seminar with peers, responding directly to others by rephrasing and delineating arguments, determining the strength of evidence, and posing clarifying questions.
RL.7.1 SL.7.1.d SL.7.3 SL.7.4
Writing
Unpack the expectations of an informational writing task, brainstorm research questions, and begin to gather evidence for a slideshow presentation.
SL.7.5 W.7.2 W.7.7
Use search terms effectively, assess the credibility of online research sources, and gather evidence in preparation for creating a slideshow presentation.
W.7.2 W.7.7 W.7.8
Gather information from multiple sources and create an outline for a slideshow presentation.
W.7.2 W.7.2.a W.7.8 W.7.9
Draft informational paragraphs for each slide of a presentation.
W.7.2 W.7.2.b W.7.2.c W.7.2.d
Design and build an informational slideshow presentation, complete with clear bullet points and images.
SL.7.5 W.7.2 W.7.2.a W.7.2.b W.7.6
L.7.1 L.7.1.a W.7.2 W.7.8
Present informational slideshow presentations.
SL.7.4 SL.7.5 W.7.2
Assessment – 2 days
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