Curriculum / ELA / 9th Grade / Unit 4: ¡Viva Las Mariposas! Voice and Agency in In the Time of the Butterflies / Lesson 24

¡Viva Las Mariposas! Voice and Agency in In the Time of the Butterflies

Lesson 24: Day 2 - Drafting

ELA

Unit 4

9th Grade

Lesson 24 of 24

Lesson Overview

Objective

Incorporate dialogue that reveals a character's emotions/motivations/values, unique narrative voice, or relationship with another character.

Lesson Map

Lesson

Analyze Alvarez's reasons for writing the story of the Mirabal sisters as historical fiction.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 323–324 — "A Postscript"

Standards

RI.9-10.2

Lesson

Gain background knowledge on Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic through a webquest exploration.

Materials

“Who were Las Mariposas, and why were they murdered?—Lisa Krause”
“The Dominican Republic under Trujillo”
“80 Years On, Dominicans and Haitians Revisit Painful Memories of Parsley Massacre”
Haitian Massacre, 1937
“Dominican Republic: Chambers of Horror”
Paradise for a Tourist Brochure, 1990

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.7

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez structures her novel and characterizes Dedé and the Mirabal family in the first chapter.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–10 — Chapter 1: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how Minerva's experiences at school change her understanding and view of Trujillo’s regime.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 11–29 — Chapter 2: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze the tone of Mate’s diary and how it contributes to her characterization.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 30–43 — Chapter 3: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how biblical allusions and religious imagery contribute to an understanding of Patria's character.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 44–59 — Chapter 4: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.9

Lesson

Discussion

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.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–59 — Part 1

Standards

RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez uses literary foils to characterize Dedé and Jaimito.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 63–83 — Chapter 5: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez develops ideas about gender roles within Dominican society and how Minerva challenges her role as a woman.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 84–102 — Chapter 6: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez uses symbols and motifs to convey Minerva's character development.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 102–117 — Chapter 6: Minerva (cont.)

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how Mate has changed since her last narrated chapter.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 118–133 — Chapter 7: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Lesson

Compare and contrast Mate and Minerva's reasons for joining the revolution.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 133–147 — Chapter 7: María Teresa (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.3

Lesson

Analyze how religious imagery relates to Patria's decision to join the revolution.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 148–168 — Chapter 8: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.9

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Rewrite a pivotal scene from In the Time of the Butterflies from an alternate sister's perspective.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm and plan to rewrite a scene from an alternate Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Materials

Writing Prompt and Rubric Handout (G9, U4, L14)
Original Scene Close Reading Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14)
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14)

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.5W.9-10.9

Day 2 - Drafting

Develop a unique voice when rewriting a scene from another Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Materials

Analyzing Narrative Voice in an Exemplar (G9, U4, L14)

Standards

W.9-10.3.aW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.5

Day 3 - Language Lesson

Use similes as adverbial phrases to vividly describe actions and convey narrative voice.

Standards

W.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze the factors that influence Dedé's decision to stay out of the revolution.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 171–186 — Chapter 9: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4

Lesson

Analyze how Dedé's ideas about bravery and courage develop and change.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 186–199 — Chapter 9: Dedé (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez uses religious imagery and symbolism to develop the reader's understanding of Patria after her family has been arrested.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 200–226 — Chapter 10: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.9

Lesson

Analyze how narrative point of view and structure contribute to the reader's understanding of how Mate's imprisonment affects her.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 227–256 — Chapter 11: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how Alvarez develops her central ideas about courage with Minerva's experiences outside of prison.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 257–276 — Chapter 12: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Lesson

Analyze the structure of the final chapter of the novel before the epilogue.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 276–297 — Chapter 12: Minerva (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Analyze how the epilogue contributes to the reader's understanding of Dedé at the end of the novel.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 301–321 — Epilogue

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Lesson

Assessment

Socratic Seminar

Prepare for a Socratic Seminar on overarching questions for In the Time of the Butterflies.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies

Standards

RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2

Lesson

Assessment

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic Seminar considering the larger themes and ideas in In the Time of the Butterflies, supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

Materials

In the Time of Butterflies

Standards

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

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Rewrite a pivotal scene from In the Time of the Butterflies from an alternate sister's perspective.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm and plan a rewritten scene from an alternate Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Standards

Day 2 - Drafting

Incorporate dialogue that reveals a character's emotions/motivations/values, unique narrative voice, or relationship with another character.

Standards

Day 3 - Revising

Revise a narrative scene by adding narration to balance dialogue and engage readers.

Standards

Day 4 - Peer Review

Write a postscript for one's rewritten scene, provide feedback on a peer's writing, and then use peer feedback to improve one's own writing.

Standards

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