REAL-WORLD NONFICTION CONNECTIONS
This lesson makes learning relevant by connecting real-world events and issues with classic texts. Students complete close readings of two texts: an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The New York Times article “Bringing Home the Wrong Race” by Dianne Farr.
- Students begin by writing a journal entry about dating
- In-class readings of Act 1, Scene 1 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- In-class reading of “Bringing Home the Wrong Race”
- Students complete post-reading worksheets
Each of the above carefully scaffolded activities have prepared the students for this progression’s culminating writing activity, which is posted below under homework.
JOURNAL WRITING
INSTRUCTIONS: You will have ten minutes to complete “Your Perfect Mate” journal writing activity
IN-CLASS READING ONE – ACT 1, SCENE 1
IN-CLASS READING TWO – “BRINGING HOME THE WRONG RACE”
Select the following link to access this article:
New York Times Article: “Bringing Home the Wrong Race.” by Diane Farr Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/fashion/modern-love-breaking-our-parents-rules-for-love.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&
POST-READING ACTIVITIES
HOMEWORK
PROJECT TEXT – ESSAY WRITING PROMPT:
Using your reading of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 1, Scene 1, and The New York Times article, “Bringing Home the Wrong Race,” by Diane Farr write a five-page essay that provides an analysis for how the two texts portray parents’ roles in their children’s dating life. You may want to consider what is emphasized, absent, or different in the two texts, but develop your own focus for analysis.
Your essay must include:
- Textual evidence from both texts
- Strong clear thesis statement
- Correct in-text citations (MLA)
- Works cited page (MLA)
Assignment Value: 100 Points.
English Writing Studies 