Exploring Identity: American Born Chinese

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 5

7th Grade

Lesson 2 of 22

Objective


Identify and contrast different characters’ points of view and explain how Yang develops them through text and illustrations.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang  pp. 7 – 20

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does the Monkey King’s perspective of himself change over the course of the chapter? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey this change in perspective? Support your answer with specific evidence.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is the genre of the story in this chapter? How do you know? Pull out at least three details that support your answer.

  • How is the Monkey King viewed by the residents of his kingdom? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey this point of view? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

  • How does the guard’s perspective of the Monkey King differ from the way the Monkey King sees himself? How does the author use both text and illustrations to convey the differences in their points of view? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

  • How do the party guests and guard initially react to the Monkey King? How does their point of view of him change by the time he leaves the party? Support your answer with specific evidence from the text.

Vocabulary


Text-based

deity

n.

(p. 8)

a god or goddess

frolic

v.

(p. 8)

 to play and move cheerfully

Homework


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.

  • Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang  pp. 23 – 40

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where was Jin born? Where does he spend the first few years of his life?

  • What does Jin say he wants to be when he grows up?

  • How do the other students at Mayflower Elementary treat Jin when he first arrives? Provide two examples.

  • How does Jin feel about himself?

  • How does Jin initially treat Wei-Chen?

  • By the end of the chapter, how does Jin feel about Wei-Chen?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.7.5
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.10

Next

Explain how Yang uses both text, images, and structure to develop meaning in American Born Chinese.

Lesson 3
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Lesson Map

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