“What’s in a name?” Lesson plan for Broken China

Dominique Ferguson
Adolescent Literature
7th grade Language Arts Class: 90 minute class block

“What’s in a name?” Lesson plan for Broken China


Focus Statement

This lesson plan will focus on names. It is important for students to become aware of the origin of names, their importance and how different cultures handle naming. The idea for this plan stems from the origin of China Cup’s name in the novel, Broken China, and an article I read, which the students will read also, titled Top Baby Name Trends of 2008.

During this lesson students will be asked to give the origins of their names (or if their name has no origin then give anecdote/reasoning behind it) which was assigned for homework the class prior. As a class we will discuss the similarities and differences in a race’s or a culture’s names and the reasons behind this fact. Moreover there will be community presenters who will speak to the class about the African Naming Ritual and the Naming Rituals for the Jewish culture. It is my hope that my students leave class with a richer understanding of the diversity of the world in which they live.

Theme and Thinking Skill

The theme for my lesson is cultural awareness. I would like for students to have a better understanding of the world and its diversities. Very few people give consideration to names and their importance in society until it is time to name their child or a new pet, choose a candidate for a job or choose a doctor or a lawyer. For example, it is pretty safe to say that a woman will feel more comfortable seeing a doctor named William Sanford than one named Seemore Butts. In more professional terms (of course) I will teach students to become more aware of these societal norms and prejudices that run so rampant in our society. We will also discuss the role history has played in names and their meanings.


Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. explain how ideas, values, and themes of a literary work often reflect the historical period in which it was written;
2. generate ideas from multiple sources (e.g., prior knowledge, discussion with others, writer’s notebook, research materials, or other reliable sources) based upon teacher-directed topics and personal interests;
3. use effective listening strategies

Standards
LA.7.2.1.8, LA.7.3.1.1, LA.7.5.2.1




Procedures

1. The first 20 minutes of class will be set aside for students to read their homework assignment aloud. This is mandatory not optional except for ESOL students. ESOL students are allowed to dictate their assignment to the ESOL teacher and she will record it. I will listen to teh recording and give them their homewrok grade. For traditional students, if the assignment is not done then that student will receive a zero for the day. For homework, students were assigned to research/ask a parent or guardian about the origin of their name and write one to two sentences about it.
2. After each assignment is read we will spend 10 minutes discussing the novel, Broken China, and reviewing for the reading quiz at the end of class. The teacher will guide the discussion with questions such as How do you feel about the novels’ title? How does it tie in with the book? What were your feelings about the novel? Were the events relatable to you and realistic?
3. Next students will be introduced to the presenters. Each presenter will be given 20-25 minutes to discuss naming rituals and the importance of names in their culture. Presenters may show video clips, demonstrations or provide students with pamphlets to create a greater understanding of what they do.(Before presentation parents will be provided with a letter explaining the presentation and giving them the option of “opting-out” their student.
4. After the presentation 5 minutes will be given for questions and comments.
5. Once the question and answer session is done students will be given an essay quiz.
6. After the quiz students will take home the Baby Names article (found at http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/family-parenting/articleab.aspx?cp-documentid=11257635>1=32020) and will write brief summary (100 words) of the article for homework.



Assessment


The following question is to be answered using at least 50 words

If I could rename anyone in my family or any one of my friends it would be___________. His/Her new name would be_________________ because…


Sources, Materials and Accommodations

1. Broken China novel (class set)
2. Baby Names Article (one for each student)

I will ensure that fair and appropriate accommodations are made for ESE and ESOL students.

ESOL ACCOMODATIONS

These students will either dictate their essay quiz answers to the ESOL specialist or they may write the essay in their native language and I will have it translated and grade accordingly. If If ESOl student has a fairly good grasp of the English language he/she may write answer in 25 words.

ESE ACCOMODATIONS

If any of these students have problems paying attention or are disruptive in nature they will be exempted from the presentation and given a seperate assignment. The following is a high interest worksheet that will build reading comprehension skills, and excite struggling readers. The worksheet can be forund at the following website: http://www.akm.net.au/sail/download/Reading%20Comp%20-%2050%20Cent%20-%20advanced%20English.pdf

Along with this worksheet students will have to write a 25 word summary on the reason Curtis Jackson chose the name 50 Cent.