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Section 2: Overview

Multiple Perspectives

We will read through Part 2 of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, continuing to analyze the Skloot’s choices, techniques, and how she presents multiple perspectives regarding the central issues in the text. To convey our understanding, we will write a multiparagraph response that analyzes Skloot’s authorial choices and the effect they have on the reader’s understanding of the complex story.

  • Lesson 1:

    We will begin by reviewing the Central Question and Framing Questions for this unit. We will then do a close study of the author’s use of imagery, diction, figurative language, and syntax in order to determine the author’s tone in Chapter 12.

  • Lesson 2:

    We will examine the multiple perspectives presented in Chapter 14 and use the Forming Evidence-Based Claims Tool to deepen our understanding of some of the central issues in the text. We will also complete a vocabulary review.

  • Lesson 3:

    We will examine how Rebecca Skloot represents key persons in Chapter 15 and complete a close analysis of several sentences in Chapter 16. We will also review and synthesize our notes from Chapters 12–16 into our Author Craft Note-Taking Tool.

  • Lesson 4:

    We will examine how Rebecca Skloot presents opposing perspectives in Chapter 17 and how she structures important details in Chapter 18. We will then complete a mentor sentence activity to study her use of syntax.

  • Lesson 5:

    We will examine how Rebecca Skloot uses primary sources and details to represent a key person in the text. We will then analyze how she presents multiple perspectives about an important issue in Chapter 20. We will finish the lesson with a vocabulary review.

  • Lesson 6:

    We will examine how Rebecca Skloot presents opposing perspectives in Chapter 21 and then diagram the structure of Chapter 22. We will synthesize our notes on author choice and central issues in the Author Craft Note-Taking Tool to prepare for the Section Diagnostic. We will then complete a vocabulary review.

  • Lesson 7:

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

  • Lesson 8:

    We will review feedback on the Section Diagnostic. We will use the feedback to make revisions to our work.

  • Lesson 9:

    We will share the understanding we have gained through our independent reading and continue reading our texts.