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Section 4: Overview

Differing Portrayals

We will examine how texts in other mediums portray Henrietta Lacks’s story and the HeLa cells’ legacy in order to compare authorcraft. To demonstrate our learning, we will write a multiparagraph response that analyzes the effectiveness of each author’s choices.

  • Lesson 1:

    We begin this lesson with a review of the Central Question and Framing Questions for the unit and discuss the questions that are specific to this section. We will then compare artwork to nonfiction writing and learn several key terms that are important for discussing works of art by creating one-slide presentations.

  • Lesson 2:

    We will complete a quick-write on our first response to the painting Henrietta Lacks (HeLa): The Mother of Modern Medicine by Kadir Nelson. We will then analyze the work using the OPTIC strategy and discuss how the artwork relates to the central issues in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We will finish the lesson by synthesizing our notes in our Author Craft Note-Taking Tool.

  • Lesson 3:

    We will read the poem “HeLa” and use text-specific questions to find and analyze connections to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We will then update our Author Craft Note-Taking Tool.

  • Lesson 4:

    We will approach, read, and analyze the article “Henrietta Lacks, HeLa Cells, and Cell Culture Contamination” using a reciprocal teaching strategy.

  • Lesson 5:

    We will prepare to analyze a film adaptation of the book by determining the meaning of various cinematic techniques. We will present our slides on cinematic techniques and take notes on the presentations by our peers.

  • Lesson 6:

    We will watch three segments of the film The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and analyze the director’s use of cinematic techniques. We will update our Author Craft Note-Taking Tool.

  • Lesson 7:

    For the Section 4 Diagnostic, we will write a response that evaluates the effectiveness of how The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and one of the companion texts address one of the following central issues: race, ethics, class, or science.

  • Lesson 8:

    We will begin planning a photo essay to tell the story of someone who deserves recognition. We will need to consider all of the techniques we have studied in this unit to create a presentation that is both engaging and informative.

  • Lesson 9:

    We will present our photo essays. After our presentations, we will write a reflection on the challenges of writing and presenting someone else’s story.

  • Lesson 10:

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

  • Lesson 11:

    We will share the analyses we have made about our independent reading texts and make connections to the unit. We will plan a final product to share our experiences from reading independently and the knowledge we have gained.