Curriculum / ELA / 9th Grade / Unit 4: ¡Viva Las Mariposas! Voice and Agency in In the Time of the Butterflies / Lesson 10
ELA
Unit 4
9th Grade
Lesson 10 of 28
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Lesson Notes
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Analyze how Alvarez uses symbols and motifs to convey important ideas and show Minerva's character development.
Book: In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez pp. 102 – 117
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
Consider the three encounters Minerva has had with Trujillo so far: the performance at school, the Discovery Day Dance, and the loaded dice game. What does this structural motif reveal about Minerva? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.
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How does Alvarez use the image of rain as a motif throughout Chapter 6? What other moments in the novel contribute to that motif? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.
What does Trujillo's loaded dice and game symbolize? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.
Analyze the symbolism of the anacahuita tree on page 116. How has Alvarez developed the motif of the tree so far in the novel? Provide specific evidence from the text and carefully explain your thinking.
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
ingenuity
n.
(p. 107)
the quality of being clever, original, inventive
homage
(p. 114)
special honor or respect shown publicly
cajoling
adj.
persuading by flattery or promises
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
Read Chapter 7, pages 118–133.
While reading, answer the following questions.
Describe Mate's dreams after Papá dies.
What are most of Mate's diary entries about?
What does the family discover about Prieto? What is the significance of this?
Why does María Teresa move to the capital? What are some of the stories she learns about Trujillo while there?
Note ways in which Mate has changed and/or stayed the same from her first diary entries.
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L.9-10.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
RL.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
RL.9-10.5 — Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
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.
RL.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.
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.9-10.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Next
Analyze how María Teresa has changed since her last narrated chapter.
Identify the key events from Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.
Standards
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3
Analyze various accounts of Alvarez's reasons for writing the story of the Mirabal sisters as historical fiction.
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.7SL.9-10.2
Analyze how Alvarez structures her novel and characterizes Dedé and the Mirabal family in the first chapter.
RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5
Analyze how Minerva's experiences at school change her understanding and view of Trujillo.
Analyze the tone of María Teresa's diary and how it contributes to her characterization.
Analyze how biblical allusions and religious imagery contribute to an understanding of Patria's character.
L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.9
Analyze how Alvarez establishes a unique voice for each of the Mirabal sisters and weaves together the chapters into a coherent narrative in Part I.
RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5
Analyze how Alvarez develops her central ideas of storytelling and uses literary foils to characterize Dedé and Jaimito.
RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3
Analyze how Alvarez develops ideas about gender roles within Dominican society and how Minerva challenges her role as a woman.
L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5
Compare and contrast Mate and Minerva's reasons for joining the revolution.
RL.9-10.3
Analyze how religious imagery relates to Patria's decision to join the revolution.
Engage in a mid-novel Socratic seminar considering the larger themes and ideas in In the Time of the Butterflies, supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.
L.9-10.1RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.4SL.9-10.6
Analyze the factors that influence Dedé's decision to stay out of the revolution.
RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4
Analyze how Dedé's ideas about bravery and courage develop and change.
RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5
Analyze how Alvarez uses religious imagery and symbolism to develop the reader's understanding of Patria after her family has been arrested.
Analyze how narrative point of view and structure contribute to the reader's understanding of how Mate's imprisonment affects her.
Analyze how Alvarez develops her central ideas about courage with Minerva's experiences outside of prison.
Analyze the structure of the final chapter of the novel before the Epilogue.
Analyze how the narrative point of view, structure, and imagery of the Epilogue contributes to the reader's understanding of Dedé at the end of the novel and develops Alvarez's central message about storytelling.
RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5
Analyze one of the central themes from In the Time of the Butterflies.
RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4W.9-10.1W.9-10.9
Brainstorm and plan to rewrite a scene from a different Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.
RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5W.9-10.3
Draft a scene from a different Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.
W.9-10.3W.9-10.4W.9-10.5
Revise a scene from a different Mirabal sister's narrative point of view using feedback from a peer review.
Unpack the expectations of a research project, conduct informal research to select a topic, and brainstorm a list of research questions.
W.9-10.7
Evaluate the credibility of sources while gathering information and taking notes on a research topic.
W.9-10.7W.9-10.8
Draft and then create a final postcard that highlights the story of a woman or group of women fighting against injustice around the world.
W.9-10.2W.9-10.4W.9-10.5W.9-10.8
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