Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 3: Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun / Lesson 4
ELA
Unit 3
7th Grade
Lesson 4 of 27
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Explain the meaning and impact of word choice and literary devices in Langston Hughes’s "Harlem," and how they work together to develop theme.
Poem: “Harlem” by Langston Hughes
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
What theme does Hughes develop in this poem about dreams? Support your answer with two pieces of evidence from the text, and explain how they develop this theme.
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Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What is the impact of Hughes’s use of questions in this poem?
Find two examples of imagery in this poem. What is the impact of these images on the reader?
Do the words that Hughes uses in this poem mostly have a positive or negative connotation? Select three examples.
Hughes uses the simile "like a raisin in the sun." What two ideas is he comparing in this simile? What idea is he trying to communicate with this simile?
Select one additional simile that Hughes uses in this poem and explain what two things he is comparing and what idea he is trying to communicate.
What would it mean for a dream to "explode"? Do you think that Hughes thinks the explosion of a dream is a positive or a negative thing?
Do you think that putting off a dream can literally be dangerous?
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
defer
v.
to put off until later
literary device
n.
any writing technique an author uses to develop and convey deeper meaning in a text.
imagery
a literary device where an author includes vivid sensory details.
simile
the comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” to indicate what is being compared in order to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of one of those things.
connotation
the social, cultural, and emotional associations words have beyond the dictionary definition (denotation)
theme
the author’s message in the text about the way the world works or what it means to be human.
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.
Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry pp. 24 – 35 — end at "women with small minds"
While reading, answer the following questions.
Where in the United States does the Younger family live?
What is the setting of this scene?
What members of the Younger family do we "meet" in this section of the play?
How old is each character (approximately)?
What are their relationships to one another?
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RL.7.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.7.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
RI.7.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
RL.7.1 — Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
SL.7.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
W.7.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.7.1.a — Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
W.7.1.b — Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
W.7.2.c — Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
W.7.4 — Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.7.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.7.9.a — Apply grade 7 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history").
W.7.10 — 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.
Lesson 3
Lesson 5
Define the American dream and explain how and why it has changed over time.
RI.7.3
Determine the causes and impacts of the Great Migration and explain how the author develops his central ideas.
RI.7.2 RI.7.3
Identify the claims made in a radio story and assess whether the evidence used to support those claims is relevant and sufficient.
RI.7.8 SL.7.3
RL.7.2 RL.7.4
Identify features of setting and explain how setting shapes characters in A Raisin in the Sun.
RL.7.3
Identify characters’ points of view in A Raisin in the Sun and explain how the playwright develops differences in perspective.
RL.7.6
Writing
Unpack a writing prompt, study an exemplar, and gather evidence in preparation for writing a persuasive letter.
W.7.1 W.7.1.a W.7.5
Outline and draft a persuasive letter including a counterclaim.
W.7.1 W.7.1.a W.7.1.b W.7.1.e W.7.5
Revise for linking words; identify and correct misplaced and dangling modifiers.
L.7.1 L.7.1.c W.7.1 W.7.1.c
Compare and contrast the film version of A Raisin in the Sun with the original text and explain the impact of specific techniques used by the filmmakers.
RL.7.7
Identify characters’ points of view in A Raisin in the Sun and explain what their words and actions reveal about them.
Explain how the physical and historical setting of A Raisin in the Sun impacts characters.
Identify and contrast different characters’ perspectives in A Raisin in the Sun, and explain how they change.
Explain the impact of specific word choice on mood and meaning in A Raisin in the Sun, and how word choice reveals a character’s perspective.
RL.7.4 RL.7.6
Compare and contrast the film version of A Raisin in the Sun with the original text by identifying techniques used by the filmmakers and their impact on mood and meaning.
Explain the impact of word choice on mood and tone in A Raisin in the Sun.
RL.7.4
Identify characters’ points of view in A Raisin in the Sun and explain how the playwright develops differences and changes in perspective.
Socratic Seminar
Engage in a Socratic Seminar with peers, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text and topic by posing and responding to questions, and providing evidence to support ideas.
SL.7.1 SL.7.1.a SL.7.1.c SL.7.4
Unpack a prompt, study a Mentor Text, and begin to brainstorm ideas for a setting.
W.7.3
Draft setting paragraphs, focusing on vivid descriptive details.
L.7.5 W.7.3 W.7.3.a W.7.3.d
Outline a short dramatic scene and draft "At Rise" paragraphs.
W.7.3 W.7.3.a
Draft dialogue and stage directions for a short dramatic scene.
W.7.3 W.7.3.b
Engage in peer feedback with a partner and present scenes to the class.
SL.7.4 W.7.3 W.7.5
Assessment – 2 days
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