Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 9: When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir (2020) / Lesson 2

When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir (2020)

Lesson 2

ELA

Unit 9

7th Grade

Lesson 2 of 29

Lesson Overview

Objective

Identify and explain the symbolism of the guava in the prologue: “How To Eat A Guava”.

Readings and Materials

Book: When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir by Esmeralda Santiago pp. 1–11

Lesson Notes

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Article: “Eating Guavas: An Analysis of Esmerelda Santiago's When I Was Puerto Rican as a Tool for a Nuyorican Liberating Theology” by Rafael Reyes III

Lesson Notes

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Lesson Map

Lesson

Infer tone in an informational text about Puerto Rican migration in 1947.

Explain the author's perspective in the article.

Materials

“Puerto Rican Migrants Jam New York”

Standards

RI.7.4RI.7.6

Lesson

Identify and explain the symbolism of the guava in the prologue: “How To Eat A Guava”.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 1–11
“Eating Guavas”

Standards

RI.7.4

Lesson

Identify and analyze the symbolism of the jibaro.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 11–21

Standards

RI.7.4

Lesson

Identify and analyze the depiction of Negi's relationship with her father.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 22–33

Standards

RI.7.3

Lesson

Identify and explain how the setting shapes Mami.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 34–44

Standards

RI.7.3

Lesson

Explain the literal meaning of a simile.

Analyze how the author uses similes to develop her character.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 45–55

Standards

RI.7.4

Lesson

Identify and explain the literal meaning of personification.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 55–65

Standards

RI.7.4

Lesson

Identify and explain the author’s perspective on American imperialism. Students will be able to to identify and explain the effects of American imperialism in PR.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 65–76

Lesson

Identify and analyze personification in the song, “My Old San Juan.”

Materials

WIWPR pp. 77–84
“En Mi Viejo San Juan”

Standards

RL.7.4

Lesson

Writing

Explain why Americans were imperialists in Puerto Rico based on the text.

Response to an on demand writing prompt.

Standards

W.7.2

Lesson

Identify how the author develops the idea of gender norms.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 87–97

Standards

RI.7.2

Lesson

Analyze how the chapter "Why Women Remain Jamona" contributes to her development as a Puerto Rican woman.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 97–107

Standards

RI.7.5

Lesson

Analyze how the imagery contributes to the mood.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 107–117

Standards

RI.7.4

Lesson

Analyze how a section of text contributes to Negi's shifting role in her family.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 118–130

Standards

RI.7.5

Lesson

Explain how the imagery contributes to the author’s perspective on El Mangle.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 130–140

Standards

RI.7.6

Lesson

Analyze how the descriptions of mood contribute to the rising tension.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 141–151

Standards

RI.7.5

Lesson

Identify the meaning of an unknown word.

Explain why the author uses anecdotes to show Negi’s relationship with her mother.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 152–162

Standards

L.7.4RI.7.5

Lesson

Explain how the first person point of view gives the reader insight into Esmeralda’s character.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 163–172

Standards

RI.7.6

Lesson

Explain how the author uses tiny pressure-filled moments to build tension between Negi and Don Luis.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 172–182

Standards

RI.7.3

Lesson

Analyze and identify the meaning of an unknown word.

Explain the limitations of the first person point of view.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 183–193

Standards

RI.7.6

Lesson

Juxtapose depictions of love in the media with love in real life.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 193–203

Standards

RI.7.5

Lesson

Explain the difference between objective and subjective.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 203–213

Standards

RI.7.2

Lesson

Explain the American Dream.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 213–224
“There Are No Cats ...”

Standards

RI.7.2

Lesson

Analyze how the narrator's description of the setting highlights her experience with diversity in America.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 224–234

Standards

RI.7.3

Lesson

Identify and analyze the symbolism of Marilyn Monroe in American culture.

Explain how Negi’s perspective on gender and sexuality shifts in this chapter.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 234–244
“Death of Marilyn Monroe (1962)”

Standards

RI.7.4RI.7.6

Lesson

Juxtapose Mami and Negi's understanding of the American Dream.

Debate whether the American Dream is attainable for all immigrants.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 245–254

Standards

RI.7.6SL.7.1

Lesson

Writing

Compare and contrast how two authors present the idea of the American Dream in their texts.

Standards

RI.7.9

Lesson

Explain/debate the advantages and disadvantages of achieving the American Dream according to Santiago’s story.

Materials

WIWPR pp. 255–270

Standards

RI.7.2

Lesson

Review

Explain major themes in When I Was Puerto Rican.

Practice test-taking strategies such as process of elimination and annotating questions and answer choices.

Standards

RI.7.2

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