Defining America: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories (2020)

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 7

7th Grade

Lesson 11 of 25

Objective


Explain how setting and specific experiences shape the writer's sense of his identity in the essay, "Hello, My Name Is _______." 

Readings and Materials


  • Essay: “Hello, My Name Is ______” by Jason Kim 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How and why have Jason's Kim feelings about his Asian identity changed since he first arrived in America as a 10-year-old? Provide specific evidence from the essay to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How do the writer’s experiences in the schoolyard shape his sense of identity? Support your answer with two pieces of specific evidence from the text.

  • How do the writer’s experiences in America impact his relationship with his family? Support your answer with two pieces of specific evidence from the text.

  • What impact does Jason Kim's presence on the TV show Girls have on viewers? Why? Support your answer with two pieces of specific evidence from the text. 

Discussion Questions

  • How would Jason Kim have answered the following question as a child and as an adult: “What does it mean to be American”? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

Vocabulary


Text-based

disdain

v.

to consider something to be unworthy of one’s consideration

asset

n.

useful or valuable thing

Homework


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.

  • Poem: “Peaches” by Adrienne Su 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who is the speaker of this poem? How do you know?

  • Who are the other characters in this poem?

  • What is the setting of the poem? 

Enhanced Lesson Plan

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.3 — Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).
  • W.7.1.c — Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.b
W.7.10

Next

Explain how poet Adrienne Su uses word choice to develop the speaker's perspective on being the child of immigrants.

Lesson 12
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