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

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 7

7th Grade

Lesson 9 of 25

Objective


Compare and contrast stories presented in different forms of media, and explain how these stories illustrate aspects of the immigrant experience in America.

Readings and Materials


  • Audio Interview: Sheena Jacob and Juliet Jegasothy by produced by Michael Garofalo 

  • Audio Interview: Philomena Luciani and Alison Purcell by produced by Sarah Kramer 

  • Audio Interview: Blanca Alvarez and Connie Alvarez by produced by Katie Simon 

  • Audio Interview: Philip and Andy by produced by Lyna Anwar with Andrés Caballero 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Read and then listen to the audio interview with Blanca Alvarez and Connie Alvarez (Interview 3).

  1. What does this story reveal about the American and/or immigrant experience? 
  2. How does listening to the audio version change the impact of their words?

Provide evidence to support your answers

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • Read and then listen to the conversation between Sheena Jacob and Juliet Jegasothy (Interview 1). 

    • What does this story reveal about the American and/or immigrant experience? 
    • How does listening to the audio version change the impact of their words? 

    Provide evidence and examples to support your answers. 

  • Read and then listen to the conversation between Philomena Luciani and Alison Purcell (Interview 2) 

    • What does this story reveal about the American and/or immigrant experience? 
    • How does listening to the audio version change the impact of their words? 

    Provide evidence and examples to support your answers. 

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important for us to listen to the stories of immigrants and to our fellow Americans more generally? What is the power of stories?

Exit Ticket

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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.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is the narrator's life like before she moves to the United States?

  • What is her life like when she first arrives in the United States?

  • What questions do you have after reading this essay? Write at least two.

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.2 — Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • RI.7.7 — Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium's portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.2
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 the meaning and impact of specific words and phrases in the essay, “An Iraqi Immigrant’s Unexpected Role,” and reflect on what the essay reveals about the immigrant experience.

Lesson 10
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