Longing to Belong: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories

Lesson 15
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ELA

Unit 1

7th Grade

Lesson 15 of 25

Objective


Compare the theme presented in a nonfiction essay, "Hello, My Name Is _______" and a poem, "Teenagers."

Readings and Materials


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

  • Poem: “Teenagers” by Pat Mora 

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Compare the common theme in Jason Kim's essay, "Hello, My Name Is ________" and the poem, "Teenagers."

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • Why does Jun Hyuk pick a new name? What does this represent?

  • What issue does Jason Kim raise about the lack of representation in the media?

  • Describe the relationship between parents and children during the teenage years that is conveyed in both the essay and the poem?

  • How do both pieces convey a change in one's identity by the end of the essay and the poem?

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

theme

The author's message in the text about the way the world works or what it means to be human. Generally applied to literary texts (fiction, poetry, dramatic works).

Text-based

asset

n.

(p. 3)

a useful or desirable quality or 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.

  • Short Story: “Why I Learned to Cook” by Sara Farizan (from Fresh Ink

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Characterize Yasaman and Hannah using evidence from the text.

  • Describe Yasaman's relationship with her grandmother.

  • What is Yasaman worried about?

  • Does Yasaman overcome her concerns by the end of the story? Why or why not?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
RI.7.3
RI.7.10
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.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

Analyze how Farizan develops the symbol of cooking in the novel.

Lesson 16
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Lesson Map

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