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

Lesson 12
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 7

7th Grade

Lesson 12 of 25

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “Peaches” by Adrienne Su 

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does the speaker use peaches to represent her connection to both her Chinese and American identities? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What do people probably mean when they ask the speaker, “Where are you from originally?” in line 9 of the poem? What impact does this have on the speaker? What does this suggest about the way the speaker is viewed by others?

  • How is the speaker's family different from the other people who live in her neighborhood? What does this reveal about what they value? Support your answer with evidence from the poem. 

  • How is the speaker's life different from her parents'? What specific lines of text develop this idea? Carefully explain your thinking.

  • What is the "perplexing question" that the speaker refers to in the last line of the poem? What does the use of the word "perplexing" reveal about the speaker's sense of identity? 

Discussion Questions

  • In what ways is the speaker’s life as a first-generation American different from her parents? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

perplexing

adj.

very puzzling

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.

  • Short Story: “Who’s Irish?” by Gish Jen (In Who's Irish?: Stories, Vintage, 2000) 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who is the narrator of this story?

  • Where is she from and where does she currently live?

  • Who are the main characters in this story?

  • What is the primary conflict in this story?

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
  • 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.7.5
L.7.5.a
L.7.5.b
L.7.5.c
L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.1.c
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.10

Next

Explain how the author develops the speaker’s point of view in the short story, “Who’s Irish,” and contrasts it with other characters in the text.

Lesson 13
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free