The Warmth of Other Suns (2020)

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 11

8th Grade

Lesson 6 of 8

Objective


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.

Readings and Materials


  • 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)) 

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of literary nonfiction?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

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.

Key Questions


"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out":

  • Listen to the song "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" by Bessie Smith, known as the Empress of the Blues. As you listen, write down responses to the words, sound, mood, etc.
  • Does the music you listen to still accurately reflect YOU? Explain.
  • What are the advantages/ disadvantages to expressing individual experiences through song?

August Wilson Interview:

  • You are about to watch an interview with August Wilson in which he speaks about the importance of the blues to black people. He once said, "We have our history. We have our book, which is the blues."
  • Watch the August Wilson video. Answer the question that follows: How does the blues influence August Wilson's work?

Isabel Wilkerson Video:

  • According to Isabel Wilkerson, why is it meaningful for her to be speaking in Chicago?
  • What are three examples of Jim Crow laws?
  • What was the white South's reaction to the Great Migration?
  • Describe Wilkerson's writing process.
  • Describe the impact of the Great Migration on American culture.
  • Why is the Great Migration a "universal story"?
  • What are the "two sides of a departure"?

Notes


This lesson connects to the assessment.

Common Core Standards


  • 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.

Next

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.

Lesson 7
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Lesson Map

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