Lesson Plan Week 2 Wednesday Standards/Objectives: CC.11-12.R.L.

3 Key Ideas and Details: Analyze the impact of the authors choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).

CC.11-12.SL.1 Comprehension and Collaboration: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 1112 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Procedures: Step 1: Before class begins, divide the desks into 5 groups of 5. When students enter the classroom, instruct them to sit wherever they would like. Step 2: Activate Understanding Activity 1. Pass out 3-way Venn Diagram handout with each outside circle including a different label: LeAlans father, Lloyds father, Kikus father. (see attached handout) Instruct students they will have 5 minutes to write down as many important similarities and/or differences between the three fathers they have encountered during the classs reading of Our America and the short story, A Half Caste. 2. Put up blank copy of Venn Diagram, and take another 5 minutes to record what similarities/differences students discovered while completing the Venn Diagram. Collect the Venn Diagram from all students once activity is complete. REMINDER: This should be a quick, informal activity in which student re-activate details from the two genres in order to prepare for the next, main classroom activity. Responses may include: LeAlan (nor his family) is not certain who his father is, while Lloyd and Kiku know. Kikus father was not born in the same country as Kiku, while both Lloyd and LeAlans fathers were both born in America. Both LeAlan and Kiku do not really desire a relationship with their father, while Lloyd makes an effort to interview and talk about his father. Kikus father abandoned Kiku and her mother in Japan; Lloyds mother died, which allowed Lloyds father to become detached from the family and become an alcoholic Both Kiku and Lloyds fathers have a fatherly instinct that they want to fulfill, while LeAlans father is completely absent and does not seem to want a connection with LeAlan. Step 3: Introduce Writing-to-Learn Project Create a Character 1. Explain to students that the group they are sitting with will collaborate to sketch out or create a character that would fit within Our Americas plot. In this case, the students will all be sketching out the same character LeAlans father. Remind students that LeAlan and his family are not completely aware of the identity of LeAlans father and that LeAlan spends a significant amount of time in Chapter 5 talking to family members about this mysterious man. LeAlans mother claims it is

a man named Jack Johnson; however, LeAlans grandparents claim this is incorrect and that they do not know his identity whatsoever. 2. Pass out worksheet to all students. Instruct them that each individual student must turn in their own worksheet; however, they can collaborate with their group members on how to answer the specific questions. Remind students that they can be as creative as they want in sketching out LeAlans father. If the students truly believe LeAlans father is Jack Johnson, they can continue to flesh out details about him. 3. Each worksheet will have six questions. Instruct students they must write in complete sentences and answer all of the questions on the worksheet. Below are the questions that will be asked regarding LeAlans father. (see attached for example worksheet) LeAlans father: - Create a name, age, and birthplace for this character. (1) What are four characteristics of this character that set him apart from other individuals? These can be physical or personality traits. (2) What reasons can this character give for not being involved in LeAlans life? (3) LeAlan lives in a violent community in which people dont feel safe. Describe the community where your character came from. Was it similar or different to the Ida B. Wells housing projects? What kind of community would your character want LeAlan to live in the future? (4) What are the everyday challenges this character faces in his life? (5) Does your character ever feel that he want to re-connect with LeAlan and be a male role model in his life? Why or why not? (6) What would your character say to LeAlan if he encountered him on the street? Would he be interested in LeAlans life, accomplishments, and goals? Would he apologize for being so absent in LeAlans life? Why or why not? Step 4: 1. Worksheet will be collected at the end of class for credit/completion.

Assessment/Evaluation: CC.11-12.R.L.3 Key Ideas and Details: Students will have reflected and analyzed LeAlans life without knowing his father by participating in the writing activity. Furthermore, predicting/inferring skills will be emphasized through students providing details regarding LeAlans father. CC.11-12.SL.1 Comprehension and Collaboration: Students have collaborated in their desk arrangement to discuss answers to the questions before writing them down/turning them in. However, each student still presents individual information that is uniquely descriptive/persuasive regarding the identity of LeAlans father. Worksheet will be collected at the end of class for credit/completion. This worksheet does not emphasize comprehension skills or whether students have read Our America, but their ability to present creative thoughts on an unknown character.

Venn Diagram Handout:

LeAlan

Lloyd

Kiku

Directions: Each member of your group must answer all of the questions on this handout. You must turn in an individual copy, but you can collaborate with your fellow group members in order to come up with as many ideas as possible to sketch your character fully. All questions must be answered in complete sentences. Your character is: LeALANS FATHER

Create a name, age, and birthplace for your character. Name: _____________________________________ Age: ____________ Birthplace: __________________________________

1. What are four characteristics of this character that set him apart from other individuals? These can be physical or personality traits. 1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________

2. What reasons can this character give for not being involved in LeAlans life?

3. LeAlan lives in a violent community in which people dont feel safe. Describe the community where your character came from. Was it similar or different to the Ida B. Wells housing projects? What kind of community would your character want LeAlan to live in the future?

4. What are the everyday challenges this character faces in his life?

5. Does your character ever feel that he want to re-connect with LeAlan and be a male role model in his life? Why or why not?

6. What would your character say to LeAlan if he encountered him on the street? Would he be interested in LeAlans life, accomplishments, and goals? Would he apologize for being so absent in LeAlans life? Why or why not?