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Lesson 7

We will explain how Skloot conveys various perspectives about complex issues in Part 2 of the book.

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

  • Gather and Organize Evidence: How well do I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of Parts 1 and 2 in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?
  • Analyze Relationships: How well do I recognize and interpret important relationships among key details and ideas (persons, setting, tone, point of view, structure, development) within two parts of a text?
  • Determine Meaning and Purpose: How well do I use connections among details, elements, and effects to make logical deductions about an author’s perspective, purpose, and meaning in two parts of a text?

Writing

  • Form Claims: How well do I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?
  • Organize Ideas: How well do I sequence and group sentences and paragraphs and use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, evidence, and visual elements to establish coherent, logical, and well-developed narratives, explanations, and arguments?
  • Develop Ideas: How well do I use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, evidence, and visual elements to support and elaborate on coherent and logical narratives, explanations, and arguments?
  • Use Conventions to Produce Clear Writing: How well do I apply correct and effective syntax, usage, mechanics, and spelling to communicate ideas and achieve intended purposes?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot, Crown Publishing Group, 2010

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read

We get ready to complete the Section Diagnostic.

Ask your teacher any clarifying questions about the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist.

Activity 2: Write

We complete the Section Diagnostic task.

Individually, complete the Section Diagnostic by writing a multiparagraph response to the following questions:

  1. How does Skloot convey various perspectives about complex issues in Part 2 of the book?

  2. What impact do her choices have on the reader's understanding of the complex issues—race, ethics, class, and science—in the text?

Use the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist to guide your writing.

Activity 3: Write

We will revise our content and ideas to ensure that our work is appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience. This will help us develop our work.

Work independently to review and revise your response, paying attention to how clearly you have communicated your ideas. Use the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist to review and revise your essay.

Activity 4: Write – Discuss

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess how prepared we are for the Culminating Task.

Step 1

Choose at least three of the questions below and respond to them in your Learning Log:

  1. How well did you take necessary action to prepare for the task?

  2. What went well for you during the completion of this task?

  3. What did you struggle with during the completion of this task? How did you push through that struggle?

  4. How well did you actively focus your attention during this independent task?

  5. How well did you develop and use an effective and efficient process to maintain workflow during this task?

  6. What would you do differently during the next Section Diagnostic?

Step 2

Review your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about all you have learned and done during this section of the unit. Evaluate your skills and knowledge to determine how prepared you are for the Culminating Task.

  • Add or refine any skills and content knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

  • Evaluate how well you are mastering skills and knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

Engage in a reflective whole-class discussion as time allows.