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Lesson 6

We will respond to Part 2 of the Section 4 Diagnostic and apply our knowledge and understanding of elements and narrative techniques by writing a short original narrative, using “Sixty-Nine Cents” as a springboard.

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 texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?
  • Analyze Relationships: How well do I recognize and interpret important relationships among key details and ideas (characters, setting, tone, point of view, structure, development, etc.) within texts?
  • 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 texts?
  • Attend to Details: How well do I recognize and interpret language and sentence structures to deepen my understanding of texts?

Writing

  • Form Claims: How well do I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?
  • 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?
  • Communicate Effectively: How well do I use language and strategies to accomplish my intended purpose in communicating?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “Sixty-Nine Cents,” excerpt from Little Failure: A Memoir, Gary Shteyngart, Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, 2014

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will engage in prewriting for a narrative paragraph, using “Sixty Nine Cents” as a catalyst for writing.

For this task, you will write a short original narrative inspired by the protagonist from the memoir. Review Part 2 of the Section 4 Diagnostic Checklist.

Create a bubble cluster or outline that addresses the following questions:

  1. What happens at the restaurant? What is the conflict?

  2. What does the narrator want to happen?

  3. Who was at the restaurant? Could one of these characters provide insight into the event?

  4. What is the message that you want the reader to take away from the story?

Activity 2: Write

We will apply our knowledge of literary elements and narrative techniques by writing an original narrative paragraph, using “Sixty Nine Cents” as a springboard for writing.

Using “Sixty-Nine Cents” as a springboard, write a short original narrative inspired by the protagonist from the memoir. Follow the guidelines below:

  • The short original narrative should take place at a restaurant.

  • You should introduce a new character.

  • The conflict should be clear and allow for resolution.

  • Ensure that your writing has an opening sentence and a conclusion sentence that frames the narrative.

  • Convey an implied theme.

Activity 3: Present – Discuss

We will share our writing with our groups.

Share your narrative with your group. Ask for feedback on how you might improve the effectiveness of the conflict and resolution in your draft. Make revisions accordingly.

Activity 4: Write

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess our progress toward 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?

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 your progress on the Culminating Task.

Step 2

Review the Central Question of the unit:

How does perspective shape our understanding of events?

Use the following questions to guide a discussion with a partner or small group:

  1. What new knowledge do you have that relates to the Central Question?

  2. What are you still curious about that relates to the Central Question?

  3. What is the relationship between the Central Question and the texts you have read so far? How do the texts shed light on the question? How does the question help you understand the texts?

  4. How has your response to the question evolved, deepened, or changed?

In your Learning Log, write your response to Question 3. You will return to this response in later lessons to examine how your understanding of the Central Question has evolved.