Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 12: Short Stories: The American Dreamers (2020) / Lesson 12

Short Stories: The American Dreamers (2020)

Lesson 12

ELA

Unit 12

7th Grade

Lesson 12 of 13

Objective

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

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Target Task

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Discussion Prompt

You have read two sides of a contemporary heated debate about illegal immigration in the United States. Do you believe undocumented immigrants should be able to live in the United States? Do they have the right to pursue the American dream? Does it make a difference if an immigrant comes here as an adult versus a child? Make sure to support your stance using details from the texts you have read so far in this unit.

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

This is an opportunity for healthy disagreement in your class. Make sure you preface this debate with a reminder of discussion rules and etiquette to ensure students feel safe taking risks and speaking honestly.
Make sure students have ample time to write down their thoughts and their evidence in order to make this discussion more effective and text-based.

Common Core Standards

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.

Speaking and Listening Standards

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.7.4 — Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Speaking and Listening Standards

SL.7.4 — Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Next

Make an argument that supports whether or not you believe that if you work hard, you can be successful in the United States.

Lesson 13

Lesson 13

Lesson Map

Students will be able to analyze how Mrs. Sen adapts to her life in America.

Students will be able to analyze the juxtaposition between American and Indian cultures.

“Mrs. Sen’s” pp. 111 – 123

Analyze how the author develops the theme of loneliness through point of view and diction.

“Mrs. Sen’s” pp. 124 – 135

Standards

RL.7.2

Analyze Mr. Kapasi’s point of view and what it reveals about cultural differences between India and America.

“A Conversation...”
“Interpreter of Maladies” pp. 43 – 53

Standards

RL.7.6

Explain the theme of loneliness.

“Interpreter of Maladies” pp. 54 – 64

Standards

RL.7.2

Explain the symbolism of the slip of paper with Mr. Kapasi’s address on it.

Explain how Lahiri captures the sadness and emptiness of the American dream through the Das family.

“Interpreter of Maladies”

Standards

RL.7.2RL.7.4

Analyze how Ibrahim and his wife adapt to the American way of life.

“An Iraqi Immigrant's...”

Standards

RL.6.3

Explain how the Scots-Irish adapted to their lives in America.

Hillbilly Elegy pp. 1 – 9

Standards

RL.6.3

Explain how hillbillies cope with poverty.

Analyze the idea of hillbilly justice.

Hillbilly Elegy pp. 11 – 22

Standards

RL.6.3RL.7.2

Analyze the juxtaposition between Chinese and American cultures.

“Who’s Irish?”

Standards

RL.7.6

3 days

Explain how undocumented immigrants perceive the American Dream and adapt to American culture.

American Dreamers — Story Wall

Standards

RL.6.3RL.7.6

2 days

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.

“Anti-Immigrant Cartoons”
“To My...”
“Why I Will...”
“The Conservative...”

Standards

RI.7.2

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

Standards

SL.7.1SL.7.4

Make an argument that supports whether or not you believe that if you work hard, you can be successful in the United States.

Standards

W.7.1

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