Curriculum / ELA / 8th Grade / Unit 10: The Warmth of Other Suns (2020) / Lesson 6
ELA
Unit 10
8th Grade
Lesson 6 of 8
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Identify author's purpose from an interview.
Compare and contrast how the different structures of texts by August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, Isabel Wilkerson and Bessie Smith, contribute to their portrayals of the African American experience.
Book: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
Video: “Isabel Wilkerson: 2011 Heartland Prize for Non-Fiction” by Chicago Humanities Festival
Video: “Bessie Smith: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” by MiM Musicians in Mourning ((2015))
Video: “August Wilson on How the Blues Influences His Work”
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
What is the purpose of literary nonfiction?
What did Isabel Wilkerson hope to convey in The Warmth of Other Suns? How is her portrayal different from that of August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Richard Wright since she uses nonfiction rather than poetry or drama? Use details from pp. 8–15 to support your answer.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out":
August Wilson Interview:
Isabel Wilkerson Video:
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
This lesson connects to the assessment.
RI.8.6 — Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
RL.8.5 — Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
Lesson 5
Lesson 7
Analyze a Richard Wright poem for theme and tone.
Explain why the author alludes to a specific line in a Richard Wright poem.
RI.8.6 RL.8.2 RL.8.4
Make inferences based on photographs and graphics of the Great Migration.
Closely read a passage for central idea, motivation, author’s purpose (intent), and extended metaphor.
RI.8.2 RI.8.7
Explain the prominent theme in the text.
Make thematic connections between The Warmth of Other Suns and Fences.
RI.8.2
Analyze the author’s deliberate juxtaposition and how it impacts the reader.
RL.8.6
Reread an excerpt of an introduction to identify prominent themes to trace throughout the text.
Read an article about reverse migration and identify, using evidence from The Warmth of Other Sons, what would motivate people to participate in a reverse migration.
RI.8.2 RI.8.3
RI.8.6 RL.8.5
Use direct evidence in a literary discussion about the meaning of specific quotes in Wilkerson’s introduction.
Compare the Great Migration to another piece of literature or an era in history.
SL.8.1
Writing – 2 days
Evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of each medium (poetry, drama, literary nonfiction in addressing the idea of migration and its impact on an individual’s life.
Complete and submit their end-of-unit assessment.
RL.8.5
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