Curriculum / ELA / 9th Grade / Unit 2: You Laugh But It’s True: Humor and Institutional Racism in Born a Crime / Lesson 7
ELA
Unit 2
9th Grade
Lesson 7 of 25
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Lesson Notes
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Analyze how Noah introduces characters, develops setting, and establishes tone in the first chapter of Born a Crime.
Book: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah pp. 3 – 17 — Chapter 1: "Run"
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
How does the incident with the minibus contribute to our understanding of Noah’s relationship with his mother? Identify at least two things this moment reveals about their relationship, using evidence from pages 15–17 to support your answer.
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Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What does the story of the encounter with the minibus driver reveal about the setting of Noah’s memoir? Provide specific evidence from pages 13-15 and carefully explain your thinking.
What is Noah's tone in this first chapter? What is the impact of his tone on the reader? Provide specific examples from pages 5–11 to support your answer and carefully explain your thinking.
Reread the dialogue between Trevor and his mother that begins after the break on page 9 and ends halfway through page 10 (end at "'Trevor! Sun'qhela!'"). Why has Noah most likely included this dialogue? What does it reveal? Provide specific evidence from these pages to support your answer.
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
tone
n.
An author/speaker’s attitude toward a topic or an audience, which is often conveyed through word choice and/or literary devices
obstinacy
(p. 9)
extreme stubbornness
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
Noah describes a number of potentially upsetting topics in this chapter, including rape, extreme violence, murder, sexism and misogynistic language, and child abuse. Offer a trigger warning at the start of class and encourage students to take a break if needed.
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
Book: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah pp. 19 – 31 — Chapter 2: "Born a Crime"
While reading, answer the following questions.
Why did Trevor's mother run away to Johannesburg?
Who is Robert? What does Trevor's mother ask of him?
What does Trevor's mother say about Trevor when he is born?
How is Trevor's story different from that of other mixed South Africans?
Note where Noah includes an anecdote and jot down what ideas this anecdote illustrates.
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RI.9-10.3 — Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
RI.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
RI.9-10.5 — Analyze in detail how an author's ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text (e.g., a section or chapter).
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.9-10.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.9-10.6 — Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
RI.9-10.1 — Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.9-10.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
SL.9-10.1 — Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9—10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL.9-10.6 — Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
W.9-10.1 — Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
W.9-10.4 — Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.9-10.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.9-10.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Next
Analyze how Noah develops his central idea that apartheid laws were unjust, unsustainable, and incoherent.
Determine the central causes and effects of apartheid in South Africa and how it impacted different groups in society.
Standards
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3
Identify and evaluate the claims made by the National Party in an excerpt from their statement in support of apartheid.
RI.9-10.1RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.8
Analyze Mandela’s inaugural speech for diction and imagery and how both contribute to his rhetorical purpose.
L.9-10.5RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.6
Conduct a short research project on South African history in order to create a digital presentation.
RI.9-10.1RI.9-10.2W.9-10.2.aW.9-10.2.bW.9-10.2.cW.9-10.2.dW.9-10.7W.9-10.8
Logically organize the research information into a digital presentation that includes all required components.
L.9-10.1L.9-10.2.cL.9-10.6W.9-10.2.aW.9-10.2.bW.9-10.2.cW.9-10.2.dW.9-10.2.eW.9-10.2.f
Present digital presentations as a group using appropriate physical presence and strong voice and articulation.
L.9-10.1SL.9-10.4SL.9-10.5SL.9-10.6
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5
RI.9-10.2
Analyze how Noah develops the reader’s understanding of his unique experiences navigating life as a mixed-race person in South Africa.
Brainstorm and plan a short narrative scene that uses an informal and conversational tone as well as description and dialogue.
W.9-10.3W.9-10.3.bW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.4W.9-10.5
Emulate Noah's tone in a short narrative scene using an informal and conversational tone as well as description and dialogue.
Analyze how Noah characterizes his parents, their parenting, and his relationship with them.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5
Identify similarities and differences in the portrayal of South Africa’s colored community in Born a Crime Chapter 9 and a news report.
RI.9-10.5RI.9-10.7
Analyze how Noah develops the reader's understanding of his unique experiences navigating life as a mixed-race person in South Africa.
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5
Analyze how Noah develops the reader’s understanding of life in Alex township, and how his experience there shaped his perspective.
Plan a short description of a neighborhood that uses vivid imagery to develop the reader’s understanding of setting.
W.9-10.3
Emulate Noah’s writing style by creating a short narrative description of a place using description and imagery.
Analyze how Noah develops different ideas within Chapter 17, and make connections between events in this chapter and those that have occurred previously in the text.
RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5RI.9-10.5
Analyze how Abel’s presence impacts Trevor’s life and how the structural choices at the end of the memoir connect to its opening.
RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5
Engage in a summative Socratic seminar about the larger themes and ideas of Born a Crime, supporting arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence.
RI.9-10.1RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.6SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.3SL.9-10.4SL.9-10.6
Analyze a central theme developed over the course of Born a Crime, sharing one’s understanding in a final product.
RI.9-10.1RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.5W.9-10.2W.9-10.9
Apply the structural parts of a personal narrative to an excerpt from Born a Crime and brainstorm a personal narrative that explores identity development.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3W.9-10.5
Outline the structure of a personal narrative that shows identity development and connects to a larger societal issue, and begin drafting.
W.9-10.5
Review the purpose of an introduction and conclusion in a personal narrative, and revise to strengthen those parts of a draft.
W.9-10.3.aW.9-10.3.bW.9-10.3.cW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.3.eW.9-10.4W.9-10.5
Analyze the effects of transitions in a personal narrative, and revise drafts to strengthen transitions.
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