Raisin in the Sun Act II

Week 4

Mon, Apr 20   day 13
Continue reading A Raisin in the Sun pp. 846-850, beginning after Asagai exits and end with "Curtain."
Focus for Listening: What is everyone's reaction when the check arrives? How does this fit in with each character's view of the American Dream?

Focus Question #4: Describe how the arrival of the check does not create happiness for Ruth, Walter, and Mama.
Answer Plan
1. Restate the question.
2. Write 1-2 sentences about what is upsetting Ruth.
3. Write 1-2 sentences about why Walter feels discouraged.
4. Write 1-2 sentences about why Mama feels sad.
5. Conclude with a sentence or two predicting what you think will happen between these three characters.

Tue, Apr 21   
Communications Arts Fair 

Wed, Apr 22 
Quiz Act I of A Raisin in the Sun

Thu, Apr 23
  For the Act II quiz and for the exam, you will need to know:
Characterization (link or use pg 1191). 
Xx dominant
Xx exuberant
Xx fraternal
Xx imploring
Xx resignation
Xx revelation
Xx saucily
Xx sobriety
Xx taut
Xx vigor

day 14
Students continue performing  A Raisin in the Sun, pg 852-859
Focus for Listening: Notice Beneatha's reaction to assimilationism and Walter's angry out burst with George.

After reading pages 76-87 pass out lyrics to India Aire's song, "I am Not My Hair" (link to video). Discuss the importance of image in our society and the cultural impact that hair styles have had. Use examples from the song to support the class discussion.
Focus Question #5
What is Walter so angry about when he says to George, "Here I am a giant -surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what the giant is talking about." (top of pg 856)
Answer Plan
1. Restate the question and introduce the answer.
2. Identify the situation in which Walter makes this outburst.
3. Give some details about the reasons for Walter's anger.
4. Conclude with a prediction about what Walter will do and why you believe that's what will happen.

Fri, Apr 24              day 15
Continue having students perform A Raisin in the Sun pp. 860-curtain 859
Focus for Listening: What is the reaction to Mama's decision about the money?
Students will now have time to work on their Character Analysis Chart. 

Essential Questions
What is meant by the American Dream?
When did the phrase American Dream come into vogue?  How has its meaning changed? Does it mean the same for all races?
What must happen for the dream to come true? What can you do to realize your dreams or visions for the future?
What is expected of you by adults at home? At school? Are these expectations realistic? How do your expectations of yourself differ from adults' expectations of you?
What do your peers expect from you?
What problems occur if your expectations and others'
expectations of you differ? Give a specific example from experience or the experience of someone you know.
If your expectations differ from those others have of you, how can you resolve this? Where does your personal loyalty belong?

As required by ELA 10  Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, 35

Week 5

Mon, May 4       day 16
Continue having students perform scene 2, A Raisin in the Sun p 860-863 "Smart Alec"
Focus for Listening: What part does Mrs. Johnson play in sorting out the dilemma of what to do with the insurance money. Her character is often omitted in the revivals of the play  - what impact do you think deleting her character has?

Tues, May 5   day 17
Students continue performing A Raisin in the Sun p 863 to blackout  p 865.
Focus for Listening: Was Mama's decision right? Will Walter live up to the
trust she has placed in him? 
Students should add details to Walter's section of the Character Analysis Chart. 

Focus Question #6:  Was Mama's decision right?
Answer Plan
1. Introduce the answer by stating your position on Mama's decision.
2. Write a number of sentences in support of your position.
3. Conclude by predicting what might happen and why you believe that's what will occur.

Wed, May 6              day 18
Students continue performing A Raisin in the Sun beginning Scene 3 on page 865 to Ruth's "Joke" on p 870.
Focus for Listening: Can one person change the mood of an entire group? How skillfully does Hansberry develop the character that does so in the play?
Focus Question #7
How would you feel if a neighborhood would be willing to pay you to keep you out?
Answer Plan
1. In one sentence, introduce the question's topic.
2. Write several sentences that explain your opinion and give details from the play which connect with or support your opinion.
3. Conclude by summarizing your opinion on the topic.

Add to your Character Analysis Chart. 

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Think gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

Focus Questions
1. How does each character celebrate the upcoming move?
2. Which dreams appeared to be achieved? How do these relate to our definition of The American Dream?
3. Is the loss of money a reason or an excuse for anger and depression?
4. Predict what the family will do next based on the character development so far.

Fri, May 8   
Quiz Act II of A Raisin in the Sun

Week 5

Mon, May 11   day 20
Read pg 876-mama's "hold onto what you got" on pg 881. 
Focus for Listening: How does optimism and pessimism affect deferments of a dream? Can you choose you're attitude? What potential impact might an attitude have?

Tues, May 12   days 21-22
Read 881 to end of play. 
Focus for Listening: What virtues taught in the Younger family make it possible for a change in attitude that rededicates them to their dreams?

"Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickinson, discuss Dickinson's view of hope.
"Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
"There's Hope" by India Aire,

For the Act III quiz and for the exam, you will need to know:
Yoruba Style, see article on pg 873
Prometheus
Xx agitated
Xx bustling
Xx epitaph
Xx flippancy
Xx gait
Xx groping
Xx monologue
Xx negotiate
Xx reverie
Xx wrought

Wed-Thu, May 13-14 
Quiz Act III of A Raisin in the Sun

Fri, May 1   

Genre Study
Characteristics of  drama
movie script
poetry
Harlem Renaissance Literature
author study of Langston Hughes
Literary Elements
exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
character development
author's purpose
poetic structure

Literary Devices
mood, tone, style
irony, humor, rhetorical questions
metaphor and simile, imagery
rhyme
foreshadowing
Historical/Cultural
1950's America: black/white tension and tension within black community
role of women
Critical Perspectives
stereotyping now and then
personal perspective on issues of inequality and racism

Features
parts/chapters
headings and subheadings
photographs and drawings
boldface, italics, parenthesis
graphics, cartoons, real-life examples and catchy quotations
media features: pan shots, tracking shots, traveling shots, full shot, two shot, close up, dissolve, point of view, short, long, medium shots, high angle, and camera as "strongest voice" in A Raisin in the Sun screenplay
Critical Perspectives
Students' preparation for real world life beyond the classroom

Genre Study
Characteristics of informational text
self-help
a speech
primary source material
internet postings
Expository Elements
thesis
supporting ideas
Organizational Patterns
theory/evidence
cause/effect
problem/solution