Short Stories: The American Dreamers (2020)

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 12

7th Grade

Lesson 11 of 13

Objective


Explain the arguments made in two articles by Josh Brown and Jeanette Vizguerra.

Identify the irony in the immigration debate as expressed in the article.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “Why I Will Not Leave” by Jeanette Vizguerra 

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

Which statement best captures the definition of “irony”? 

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Sample Response

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According to Jeanette Vizguerra, why is it ironic that some Americans are so opposed to welcoming illegal immigrants into this country?

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Sample Response

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Which piece of evidence best supports your answer above?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

According to Mark Levin, why can immigration only hurt America? In one paragraph, write five to seven sentences using details from the text. 

Key Questions


“Why I Will Not Leave”:

  • What is the narrator’s conflict? 
  • What is her purpose for writing the article in one of the most famous newspapers in the country?
  • Explain the contradiction that Vizguerra is highlighting in the sentence below from “Why I Will Not Leave”: “You accept our labor but won’t provide the piece of paper that recognizes our equal humanity.”
  • What is the effect of her illegal status on her children?
  • What does the narrator mean by “to step out of the shadows”? How are undocumented immigrants in the shadows? 
  • The narrator ends the article by clearly stating, “I will not leave.” Why does she believe she has the right to pursue the American dream? Do you agree or disagree with her conclusion?

“To My Jewish, Irish, Asian and Italian Friends”:

  • What is the purpose of Josh Brown’s article “To My Jewish, Irish, Asian and Italian Friends”?
  • Why is it ironic (humorous) that so many “real Americans” are resistant to new immigrants?
  • Explain the image of Uncle Sam being swallowed by Chinese and Irish immigrants. What fears are represented in this cartoon? How are they similar to today’s politics around immigration?
  • Look at the image of the people putting up the wall. What is written on each brick? What do those words represent?
  • What is ironic (humorous) about this cartoon? 

“The Conservative Case for Temporarily Stopping All Immigration to America”:

  • According to Marc Levin, why can immigration only hurt America? 
  • According to the author, what is the problem with having a family-based immigration system?
  • What does the author mean by the following sentence? “Less-educated legal immigrants make extensive use of every type of welfare program, including cash, food, Medicaid, and housing.” How does this hurt America?
  • What do conservatives believe the primary purpose of immigration is?
  • What is Mark Levin’s central argument in his article?

Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.2 — Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

Next

Take a stance on whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to pursue the American Dream.

Lesson 12
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