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

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 7

7th Grade

Lesson 5 of 25

Objective


Explain how setting and specific experiences shape Yezierska's perspective and beliefs about America.

Readings and Materials


  • Essay: “America and I” by Anzia Yezierska  — whole text

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is Yezierska's perspective on the way that immigrants are treated in America? What does she think should be different about the way immigrants are seen and treated in this country? Provide evidence from paragraphs 92-107  to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How does Yezierska feel about her factory job? How does this differ from how she wants to feel about her work? Provide specific evidence from paragraphs 60-73 to support your answer.

  • How do Yezierska's perspective and beliefs about America differ from the vocational worker's? How does this conversation reveal a difference in their perspective? Provide specific evidence from paragraphs to support your answer.

  • How and why does Yezierska's experience in the vocational office shape her perspective and beliefs about America? Provide at least two pieces of specific evidence from paragraphs 75–97 to support your answer.

Discussion Questions

  • Do you agree with the vocational worker’s statement that “You have to show that you have something special for America before America has need of you.” Do you think she would have said the same thing to someone who was not an immigrant?

Vocabulary


Text-based

undaunted

adj.

not intimidated or discouraged by difficult, danger, or disappointment

Academic

point of view/perspective

n.

1. a character’s opinion or feelings about a specific topic/idea/event
2. the "lens" through which a person sees and understands the world. This is usually influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences

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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).
  • RI.7.6 — Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.

Supporting Standards

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

Unpack a prompt, study a mentor text, and gather evidence in preparation for writing a paragraph response.

Lesson 6
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