Curriculum / ELA / 9th Grade / Unit 13: Visibility & Invisibility in Short Texts / Lesson 5
ELA
Unit 13
9th Grade
Lesson 5 of 15
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Characterize Nkem and interpret the symbolic shifts in her character.
Short Story: “"Imitation" from The Things Around Your Neck” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved.
In “Imitation,” we learn that Nkem, who lives with her children in America and seems to live a privileged life, has heard that her husband, Obiora, in Nigeria, has a girlfriend who has moved in with him. Write a response in which you analyze how the significance of the title connects to Nkem’s character and the overall meaning of the short story.
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What moments in the text reveal shifts in Nkem's character?
What is Nkem’s attitude towards her marriage? Support your answer with thorough analysis of textual evidence.
What aspects of “the other woman” back at home seem to play on Nkem’s mind? Why is it expected that men will be unfaithful, but women will not? What prompts Nkem to finally speak up?
Why does Nkem cut her hair? Why does she ask her husband about the Benin masks? What might both objects symbolize?
On page 26, Adichie writes about America’s "abundance of unreasonable hope." What does this mean in this story? How does it connect to the overall meaning of this short story?
What is the significance of the title “Imitation” and how does it relate to Nkem’s character?
If you were Nkem's friend, what kind of advice would you give her regarding her husband and marriage and why?
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
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LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
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.
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
LO 1.4B — Synthesize ideas from multiple texts and explain how the texts may convey different perspectives on a common theme or idea.
LO 5.1A — Extend the conversation around an idea, topic, or text by formulating questions and recognizing the claims and perspectives of others.
LO 5.1B — Cite relevant evidence and evaluate the evidence presented by others.
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.
RL.9-10.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail 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.
W.9-10.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Next
Analyze how Alexie uses literary devices to illustrate his complex experience as an Indian on the reservation.
Analyze how word choice and structure impact meaning in the opening paragraph of Nobody.
Standards
RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5
Explain Hill’s perspective on invisibility including how specific details, lines, and words help to develop that perspective.
LO 1.2BRI.9-10.6
Analyze how Emily Dickinson uses literary devices to convey meaning in “I’m Nobody! Who are you?”
LO 1.3BRL.9-10.4
Analyze the techniques Junot Diaz uses to characterize Yunior, the narrator.
LO 1.3BRL.9-10.3
Formulate and share unique arguments about meaning in and across “How to Date…,” “Imitation,” and “Superman and Me.” Support arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence in a Socratic Seminar.
LO 1.4BRI.9-10.2RL.9-10.2
Explain Frank’s perspective on coming out and being queer including how word choice and figurative language help to develop that perspective.
Analyze “Thank You, Frank Ocean” as a response to Frank Ocean’s coming out letter.
Formulate and share unique arguments about meaning in and across Frank Ocean’s Open Letter on Tumblr, and “Thank You, Frank Ocean.” Support arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence in a Socratic Seminar.
Analyze how a character or speaker struggles with visibility and how this struggle contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole in a multi-paragraph response.
L.9-10.2.aLO 1.3ALO 1.3BLO 2.3ALO 2.3BLO 2.3CLO 2.3DRI.9-10.1RL.9-10.2W.9-10.2
Analyze how the author uses literary devices to convey the boy’s complex experience as a child of immigrant parents.
Analyze how the author uses literary devices to convey the speaker’s complex experience.
Formulate and share unique arguments about meaning in and across all texts from Unit 1. Support arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence in a summative Socratic Seminar.
LO 1.4BLO 5.1ALO 5.1BRI.9-10.1RI.9-10.2RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3SL.9-10.1
4 days
Complete the performance task to show mastery of unit content and standards.
L.9-10.2.aLO 1.4BLO 5.1ALO 5.1BLO 5.2ALO 5.2BLO 5.2CLO 5.2DRI.9-10.2RL.9-10.2SL.9-10.1W.9-10.2
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