Teacher Lesson Plans for Pre-Reading A Raisin in the Sun by Lorrainne Hansberry

Lesson 1:

Aim: How do we consider two movie versions of the play?

Do Now: Students are to watch two versions of the movie one from the 1960s and the other contemporary.

Minilesson: Teacher explains that this classic play has been interpreted variously by different actors and directors. Studnets are to understand that great art can stand the test of time, and that thoughout time, various interpretations of the work can evolve.

Activity: Students are to consider the videos and answer questions regarding themselves and the world around themselves while thoughtfully preparing to engage in the text.

Assessment: Students to share out their writing to the class for discussion fodder.

------------------------------------------------

Lesson 2:

Aim: How do we understand one of the themes to be explored in the play: the American dream?

Do Now: Students are to read the read the poem, “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes and begin considering the vocabulary and other questions they have.

Minilesson: Teacher reads the poem aloud to the students and focusses on vocabulary and grammar questions. Then, the teacher introduces the idea of “the American dream,” eliciting student interpretations of the significance of the AD and how they interpret the author’s message.

Activity: Students to answer questions in writing about the poem.

Assessment: Students share out and the class discusses ideas.

------------------------------------------------

Lesson 3:

Aim: How do we conduct a webquest to learn about the setting of the novel?

Do Now: Students are to consider what they know about Chicago. Where is it? What is it’s history?

Minilesson: Teacher explains what a webquest is, outlining expectations for students to do their own basic research about the setting of the book as the South side of Chicago in the 1960s. They will be expected to work as pairs and come up with a presentation.

Activity: Webquest.

Assessment: Students present and grade each other according to given rubric.

Student Lesson 3, Understanding Setting

*Assignment:

Students in groups or pairs are to do a webquest to understand the setting of the play. Click on the link below to begin your webquest!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4562295/Webquest-to-Explore-Chicagos-South-Side-in-the

Student Lesson 2, Understanding Theme:

The below poem by Langston Hughes explains one of the themes the Lorraine Hansbury uses in the play. Let's read the below poem and answer the questions with a partner to consider the idea of The American Dream.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

--Langston Hughes

*Vocabulary: dream, deferred, raisin, fester, sore, run, rotten, syrupy, sweet, sags, load

*Grammar: “dream deferred”

*Theme: The American Dream:

*Assignment:

Read the poem with your partner and discuss it. You may have questions, so we can discuss these as a class.

After we understand the poem. Write a paragraph for each question below:

1) Why do immigrants come to America?

2) How is America supposed to be different than the rest of the world?

3) Why is money important to Americans?

4) What kind of future do young Americans hope for?

Student Lesson 1, "A Raisin in the Sun" Trailers from 1961 and 2006

Before we as a class begin reading the play by Lorrainne Hansberry, "A Raisin in the Sun," I would like us to generally begin preparing for understanding this classic text. It is a very famous play that has been shown in different ways.