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Lesson 5

We will complete Character Note-Taking Tools for Dedé and will read Chapter 2: “Minerva, 1938, 1941, 1944” and analyze how Minerva is introduced.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I analyze how well a character is introduced?

  • Can I analyze how Alvarez’s decision to structure the text throughout several years impacts the story’s development?

  • Can I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?

  • Can I analyze how well a character is introduced?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2010

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Write

We will complete our character Note-Taking Tools based on what we learned about dedé in chapter 1.

You will be completing a Character Note-Taking Tool for each of the sisters after their respective chapters in Part 1. At the end of Parts 2 and 3, we will revisit the tools and add new information to further our understanding of the sisters.

Working alone or with a partner, review Chapter 1 and write down two examples of what you have learned about Dedé on the Character Note-Taking Tool. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the text to support your assertions.

Activity 2: Read – Write

We will read chapter 2, “Minerva, 1938, 1941, 1944,” and discover a second mirabal sister’s perspective.

Step 1

Read and annotate Chapter 2 as a class and begin to formulate an understanding of Minerva’s persona and how Alvarez conveys her voice.

Write new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.

Step 2

Respond to the following questions from the Section 1 Question Set in your Learning Log, providing evidence from the text to support your answers:

  1. How do the voices of Dedé and Minerva differ?

  2. What makes their voices distinct?

  3. How does Alvarez’s decision to write about the sisters in two distinct voices affect the story?

  4. Alvarez utilizes time as a structure for the narrative. How does structuring the narrative over several years impact the story’s development?

Step 3

Discuss your answers with your group.

Activity 3: Write – Discuss

For homework, we will add two pieces of information representing what we know about minerva on our character Note-Taking Tool.

For homework, review what you read in Chapter 2, "Minerva, 1938, 1941, 1944," and write down details about Minvera’s personality, actions, and thoughts in the corresponding column of your Character Note-Taking Tool.

Respond to the following questions from the Section 1 Question Set in your Learning Log:

  1. How does Alvarez introduce Minerva? How does Minerva’s introduction compare to Dedé’s? Cite evidence from the text to support your answers.

  2. What do we learn about Minerva from this quote in Chapter 1: "For years Minerva has been agitating to go to law school"? How would you describe Minerva?

  3. How does she differ from Dedé? Provide textual support to demonstrate your answer.

  4. What does Minerva think, say, and do in this chapter that defines her personality?

  5. What makes Minerva unique as a woman in her culture?