Lesson 4

Lesson Goals

• Can I write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences?

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

• Can I take necessary action to prepare for the task?

Texts

Core

• • The Book of Unknown Americans, Cristina Henríquez, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2015

• • “My Mother Never Worked,” Bonnie Smith-Yackel, Women: A Journal of Liberation, 1975

Materials

Tools

• The Book of Unknown Americans: Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist

• The Book of Unknown Americans: Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tool

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Vocabulary Journal

Reference Guides

• Academic Discussion Reference Guide

Editable Google Docs

• The Book of Unknown Americans: Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist

• The Book of Unknown Americans: Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tool

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Vocabulary Journal

Activity 1: Discuss

We will discuss the text as a whole class.

In The Book of Unknown Americans, Henríquez often interrupts the narrative with anecdotes from ancillary characters. As a class, discuss the purpose and effect of this strategy.

Activity 2: Read

We will work in small groups to discuss ancillary characters in the text.

With your small group, review the chapters Henríquez includes about the characters who reside in the building but who are not among the primary characters in the novel. Write the name of each character along with one key idea from the character’s chapter in your Learning Log. Connect the ideas with themes being developed in the novel.

Activity 3: Write

We will write a short narrative about one of the ancillary characters from the novel.

Write a third-person narrative that briefly describes one of the ancillary characters. Frame the narrative in one of the following formats: a social media post, a dream, or a letter to a friend or family member. Be sure to use descriptive language to convey their character traits.

Activity 4: Read

We will review the expectations of the Section 3 Diagnostic.

Review the Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist. Ask your teacher clarifying questions as needed.

Activity 5: Write

We will prepare for the Section Diagnostic by creating a graphic organizer.

Complete a three-column graphic organizer:

• Column 1: Dialogue

• Column 2: Point of View

• Column 3: Text Structure

Each column must contain two examples from each text (The Book of Unknown Americans and “My Mother Never Worked”).

For each example technique, write a concise sentence that explains how the author uses the technique to craft the story and to illuminate meaning.

Select the most compelling examples from your Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tools to complete the organizer. Reread the texts as needed for additional evidence.

Activity 6: Read

For homework, we will review our Vocabulary Journals> and Mentor Sentence Journals to identify vocabulary and writing techniques we will use in our responses to the Section Diagnostic.

Review your Vocabulary Journal. Identify a significant word or words that you would like to use in your response to the Section Diagnostic.

Now review your Mentor Sentence Journal. Select at least one technique that you plan to use when writing your response to the Section Diagnostic.