Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 9: When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir (2020) / Lesson 27
ELA
Unit 9
7th Grade
Lesson 27 of 29
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Compare and contrast how two authors present the idea of the American Dream in their texts.
Song: “America”
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
You have read two different texts about the American experience for Puerto Rican immigrants in the memoir When I Was Puerto Rican and in the song “America” from West Side Story. Compare how the author and song writer Esmeralda Santiago and Arthur Laurents convey the theme of the American Dream in each text.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
RI.7.9 — Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.
Next
Explain/debate the advantages and disadvantages of achieving the American Dream according to Santiago’s story.
Infer tone in an informational text about Puerto Rican migration in 1947.
Explain the author's perspective in the article.
Standards
RI.7.4RI.7.6
Identify and explain the symbolism of the guava in the prologue: “How To Eat A Guava”.
RI.7.4
Identify and analyze the symbolism of the jibaro.
Identify and analyze the depiction of Negi's relationship with her father.
RI.7.3
Identify and explain how the setting shapes Mami.
Explain the literal meaning of a simile.
Analyze how the author uses similes to develop her character.
Identify and explain the literal meaning of personification.
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.
Identify and analyze personification in the song, “My Old San Juan.”
RL.7.4
Explain why Americans were imperialists in Puerto Rico based on the text.
Response to an on demand writing prompt.
W.7.2
Identify how the author develops the idea of gender norms.
RI.7.2
Analyze how the chapter "Why Women Remain Jamona" contributes to her development as a Puerto Rican woman.
RI.7.5
Analyze how the imagery contributes to the mood.
Analyze how a section of text contributes to Negi's shifting role in her family.
Explain how the imagery contributes to the author’s perspective on El Mangle.
RI.7.6
Analyze how the descriptions of mood contribute to the rising tension.
Identify the meaning of an unknown word.
Explain why the author uses anecdotes to show Negi’s relationship with her mother.
L.7.4RI.7.5
Explain how the first person point of view gives the reader insight into Esmeralda’s character.
Explain how the author uses tiny pressure-filled moments to build tension between Negi and Don Luis.
Analyze and identify the meaning of an unknown word.
Explain the limitations of the first person point of view.
Juxtapose depictions of love in the media with love in real life.
Explain the difference between objective and subjective.
Explain the American Dream.
Analyze how the narrator's description of the setting highlights her experience with diversity in America.
Identify and analyze the symbolism of Marilyn Monroe in American culture.
Explain how Negi’s perspective on gender and sexuality shifts in this chapter.
Juxtapose Mami and Negi's understanding of the American Dream.
Debate whether the American Dream is attainable for all immigrants.
RI.7.6SL.7.1
RI.7.9
Explain major themes in When I Was Puerto Rican.
Practice test-taking strategies such as process of elimination and annotating questions and answer choices.
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