Finding Home: The House on Mango Street

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 4

7th Grade

Lesson 9 of 22

Objective


Explain the impact of gender roles and stereotypes on the lives of young people.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “Gender Norms and Stereotypes” by Fishtank Staff 

  • Article: “This is what happens when gender roles are forced on kids” by Emanuella Grinberg and Victoria Larned 

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A Note for Teachers


  • Today's lesson contains sensitive content that may be upsetting or triggering for students including mention of young girls being forced into sex work and young boys being seen as "predators." Emphasize respectful communication, critical thinking, and context understanding prior to engaging in today's reading. Name for students resources they can leverage within the classroom or school day to process their emotions.
  • Be aware that even if you have gender-diverse students in your class, they may or may not feel comfortable sharing their experiences or opinions with the class. If students do choose to share personal anecdotes, ensure that classroom expectations for respectful and productive discourse are in place and adhered to. As a part of intellectual preparation for this lesson, explore the following resources:

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What are the negative consequences of living in a society with rigid gender roles? Provide evidence from both articles to support your thinking. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What is the relationship between gender norms and stereotypes and mobility? Why does this relationship exist? Provide evidence from the article to support your answer. ("This is what happens…")

  • According to both articles, what are some of the stereotypes and expectations that people have for both boys and girls? Provide examples from both texts to support your answer. ("This is what happens…" and "Gender Norms and Stereotypes")

  • According to both articles, who teaches and/or enforces gender roles and stereotypes? In what ways are gender roles enforced? Provide examples from both texts to support your answer. ("This is what happens…" and "Gender Norms and Stereotypes")

  • What are the dangers of gender norms? How can this be combatted? Provide evidence from the article to support your answer. ("Gender Norms and Stereotypes") 

Vocabulary


Text-based

stereotypes

n.

an unfair belief about people based on the group they belong to (Fishtank, para. 1)

rigid

adj.

not able to be bent, changed, or adapted (Grinberg & Larned, para. 2)

submissive

adj.

passively conforming to the authority or will of others (Fishtank, para. 18)

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.

  • Book: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  pp. 43 – 55

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What does Esperanza want to do during lunch? Why?

  • What does Mama forget to buy Esperanza before the baptism? How does Esperanza feel about this?

  • What is Esperanza's first job? What happens to her on her first day?

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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).

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
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 Cisneros develops Esperanza's changing perspective in the text. 

Lesson 10
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