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The question, “Who gets to be an American?” will frame your discussions as you read the Marina Budhos novel, Ask Me No Questions. You will also work with text-based inferencing and analyzing plot development in fiction. Finally, you will bring together information from varied nonfiction sources to prepare arguments about the immigration debate.
LITERATURE
Ask Me No Questions (Budhos) - Novel set in the aftermath of September 11th focusing on a Bengali immigrant family’s struggle to stay in the U.S.
Hot Topics: Immigration (Hunter) - An exploration of immigration as a worldwide phenomenon
America Street (Mazer) - A multicultural anthology of stories about young people
FLUENCY TOPICS
green cards, post September 11th restrictions on immigrants, the Muslim Registration Act, racial and ethnic profiling by police forces, routes to legal immigration and citizenship, Americanization, illegal immigration
Introductory Activity
We hear a lot about immigration. Immigrants are people who move to a new country. In the U.S., about 13% of people are immigrants. Jot down one thing you know about immigrants.
Workbook p. 3: Who gets to be an American?
If you do not have the books, you may refer to this summary: Unit 3.2 Text summaries
Immigrant Stories
Workbook pp. 4-10: Who gets to be an American?, continued
Photo activity
Workbook pp. 11-12: Photo activity
Download: Photo set
Mini-lesson
Video: Base words vimeo • download
Workbook p. 13: Base words
Homework
Workbook p. 15: Base words
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about food and eating around the world.
Passage 1, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
The Lin family have recently moved from China. They are eating with the Gleasons, their new friends in America. Look for things that are strange for the Lin family.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: “The All-American Slurp” in America Street, pp. 55-57. Stop at “after the spectacle our family made at the party.”
Mini-lesson
Video: Making predictions vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 17-18: “The All-American Slurp”
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about food and eating around the world.
Passage 1, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
How do the Lins get used to American life? Do things stay hard or get easier?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: “The All-American Slurp” in America Street, pp. 58-61
Workbook p. 19-20: Partner reading questions
Say it in Chinese!
Workbook p. 21: Say it in Chinese!
Homework
Workbook p. 23: Advice for the narrator
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about people holding onto or losing their culture.
Passage 2, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
The Lins go out to a fancy restaurant. Look for ways that America is still surprising for them.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: “The All-American Slurp” in America Street, pp. 61-64
Workbook pp. 25-26: Partner reading questions
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about people holding onto or losing their culture.
Passage 2, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
How are the Lins getting used to American culture?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: “The All-American Slurp” in America Street, pp. 64-67
Workbook pp. 27-28: Partner reading questions
Homework
Workbook p. 29: A new ending
Mini-lesson
Video: Previewing vimeo • download
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 4-5
Workbook pp. 31-32: Previewing
Guided Reading
Who are the migrants? Why do they want to move?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 4-5
Workbook p. 33: Guided reading questions
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about immigrants to the U.S.
Passage 3, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Negative prefixes vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 34-35: Negative prefixes
Mini-lesson
Video: Using a glossary vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 36-37: Using the glossary
Old and New Migration
Text: Hot Topics; Immigration, p. 7
Workbook p. 38: Old and new migration
Homework
Workbook p. 39: Negative prefixes
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about immigrants to the U.S.
Passage 3, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
Why do migrants move?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 8-11
Workbook pp. 41-43: Partner reading questions
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about green cards.
Passage 4, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Assimilating negative prefixes vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 44-45: More negative prefixes
Legal vs. Illegal Immigration
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, p. 17
Workbook p. 46: Legal and illegal immigration
Homework
Workbook p. 47: Negative prefixes
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about green cards.
Passage 4, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Skimming vimeo • download
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 40-41
Workbook p. 49: Skimming
Mini-lesson
Video: Note-taking vimeo • download
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 36-37
Workbook pp. 50-51: Note-taking
Partner Reading, Part 1
What are some services that help immigrants get where they’re going? Learn about services that are legal and others that are outside the law.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 36-37
Workbook pp. 50-51: Partner reading questions
Partner Reading, Part 2
What is it like to move to a new country?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, pp. 30 and 32
Workbook p. 52: Partner reading questions
Mini-debate: Open borders
Video: Open borders vimeo • download
Text: Hot Topics: Immigration, p. 43
Workbook p. 53: Mini-debate: Open borders
What is a green card?
Workbook pp. 54-55: What is a green card?
Getting ready to debate
Video: Preparing to debate vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 56-63: Who gets a green card?
1. Watch the video to hear a teacher explain the green card debate.
2. Choose a person or family to read about. Circle your choice on workbook p. 56.
3. Read about your person or family
4. Read the fact sheet for your person or family. Underline facts that relate to your person or family.
5. Answer questions about your person or family on workbook p. 63.
Preparing your presentation
Video: Preparing your presentation vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 64-65: Preparing your presentation
Debate
Workbook pp. 67-69: Evaluate the presentations!
Homework
Workbook pp. 71-72: Who should get a green card?
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about crossing the border.
Passage 5, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Syllables and Vowels vimeo • download
Workbook p. 73: Vowels
Workbook p. 74: Syllables and vowels
Learning about Special Registration
Workbook pp. 75-78: Learning about Special Registration
Homework
Workbook p. 79: Syllables
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about crossing borders.
Passage 5, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Anticipating Ask Me No Questions
Text: Ask Me No Questions
Workbook pp. 81-82: Anticipation guide, Predictions
Guided Reading
Let’s get clear on who the characters are and what’s happening with the family.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 1-10
Getting to Know the Hossain Family
Workbook p. 83: Getting to know the Hossain family (Google Doc)
Homework
Workbook p. 85: Learning about the narrator
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about Bangladesh and people from Bangladesh.
Passage 6, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
Focus on what happens at the border. At the end of the chapter, where are Abba, Ma, Nadira and Aisha?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 11-18
Workbook p. 87: Partner Reading Questions
Hopes and Dreams
Text: Ask Me No Questions
Workbook pp. 88-89: Hopes and dreams (Google Doc)
Homework
Workbook p. 91: Nadira’s diary
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about Bangladesh and people from Bangladesh.
Passage 6, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
The Birth of Bangladesh
Video: The Birth of Bangladesh vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 93-94: Birth of Bangladesh
Windows and Mirrors
Workbook p. 95: Windows and mirrors
Download: Photo set
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about being Muslim in America.
Passage 7, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Chunking long words vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 96-97: Chunking long words
Guided Reading
For Nadira’s family, why are borders between countries so important?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 19-22
Homework
Workbook p. 99: Chunking words into syllables
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about being Muslim in America.
Passage 7, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
What’s the secret that Nadira and Aisha try to keep from everyone?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 23-28
Workbook p. 101: Partner Reading Questions
Look back at Hopes and dreams from Lesson 16. Add notes about hopes and dreams for Aisha and for Ma. Also add notes about obstacles, or what can get in the way.
Homework
Workbook p. 103: Comparing and contrasting characters
Mini-lesson
Video: Chunking long words, part 2 vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 105-106: Chunking long words, part 2
Guided Reading
How is life different for Nadira and Aisha with Abba in detention and Ma away in Vermont?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 29-33
Partner Reading
Before you read, make a prediction about why Tareq wants to talk to Nadira. Write it on workbook p. 107.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 34-37
Workbook p. 107: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 109: Advice from Ma
Guided Reading
Who are these new people, Auntie, Uncle, and cousin Taslima? What are they like?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 37-43
Partner Reading
What does Nadira learn about Uncle’s life?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 44-46
Workbook p. 111: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 113: Chunking words into syllables
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about problems for immigrants.
Passage 8, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Vowel teams vimeo • download
Workbook pp. 115-116: Vowel teams
Guided Reading
How is Nadira feeling right now? Do her actions make sense?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 46-52
Homework
Workbook p. 117: Vowel teams
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about problems for immigrants.
Passage 8, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
The family was planning to pay Abba’s bond so he could come home. What changes this plan?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 52-54
Workbook p. 119: Partner Reading Questions
Guided Reading
What are Abba’s values? What does he want for his family?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 55-63
Look back at Hopes and dreams from Lesson 16. Add a note about Abba’s hopes or dreams. Add a note about an obstacle, what can get in his way.
Partner Reading
Nadira and Aisha visit the lawyer, Mr. Rashid. Make a prediction: What will Aisha say? What will Mr. Rashid say?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 63-66
Workbook p. 120: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 121: Making a prediction
Guided Reading
The government is asking questions about what Abba does with his money. What will the girls find out?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 68-75
Partner Reading
What do Nadira and Aisha each bring to the family team? How do they fight for justice? How does their cousin Taslima fight for justice?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 75-79
Workbook pp. 123-124: Partner Reading Questions
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about students without legal papers trying for college.
Passage 9, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Mini-lesson
Video: Chunking long words, part 3 vimeo • download
Workbook p. 125: Chunking long words, part 3
Guided Reading
Get clear on the facts. What is happening and why?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 80-85
Homework
Workbook p. 127: Syllable chunking
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about students without legal papers trying for college.
Passage 9, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
What happens with Uncle’s interview? What does this mean for Nadira and Aisha?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 85-87
Workbook p. 129: Partner Reading Questions
Guided Reading
Uncle is in detention now. How will Aisha and Nadira cope?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 88-93
Partner Reading
See how Aisha and Taslima react to the family’s problems.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 93-95
Workbook p. 130: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 131: Aisha’s diary
Guided Reading
We heard about Aisha and Taslima. What’s happening with younger sister Nadira?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 95-99
Partner Reading
What does the family find out from Uncle? What news does Nadira get from Mr. Rashid, the lawyer?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 99-103
Workbook p. 133: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 135: Lies
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about the Dreamers, young immigrants without legal papers.
Passage 10, Day 1: Select A • B • C • D
Guided Reading
Nadira meets a college student who helps her think about her future in a new way.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 104-110
Look back at Hopes and dreams from Lesson 16. Add a note about Nadira’s hopes or dreams. Add a note about an obstacle, what can get in her way.
Homework
Workbook p. 137: Aisha’s lie
Fluency Work
Practice fluency with passages about the Dreamers, young immigrants without legal papers.
Passage 10, Day 2: Select A • B • C • D
Partner Reading
Try to understand what’s happening with Aisha.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 110-113
Workbook p. 139: Partner Reading Questions
Look back at Hopes and dreams from Lesson 16. Add notes about Aisha’s goals and obstacles.
Homework
Workbook p. 141: Stereotypes
Guided Reading
What bold move will Nadira make? Is it the right decision?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 114-119
Partner Reading
Will Nadira meet up with Tareq? Will she give him the money? Will she get the papers she needs? Make some predictions.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 120-123
Workbook p. 143: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 145: Tareq’s diary
Guided Reading
How has Ma changed? What does Nadira learn on the bus?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 124-134
Look back at Hopes and dreams from Lesson 16. Add notes about Ma. Have Ma’s hopes and dreams changed? How do you know?
Partner Reading
Make a prediction: How will the judge react to Nadira’s evidence? Write your prediction on workbook p. 147 and back it up with facts.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 134-136
Workbook p. 147: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 149: Evidence
Guided Reading
What things change for Auntie and Uncle’s family? Why?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 137-144
Partner Reading
Nadira has another plan to help her family. What is it?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 144-148
Workbook p. 151: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook pp. 153-154: Changes for the Hossains
Guided Reading
Make a prediction: What will Aisha tell her classmates? Look for facts to back up your prediction.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 149-152
Partner Reading
The Hossain family attends a hearing on their case. Make a prediction: What will the judge decide?
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll see today:
Text: Ask Me No Questions, pp. 153-159
Workbook p. 155: Partner Reading Questions
Homework
Workbook p. 157: Aisha’s speech
The Hossains get green cards!
Video: The Hossains get green cards vimeo • download
Text: Ask Me No Questions
Workbook pp. 159-162: The Hossains get green cards , Thoughts and feelings, Final discussion prep
Presentation prep
Text: Ask Me No Questions
Workbook pp. 163-164: Final discussion template
Teams present
Workbook p. 165: Final discussion reaction sheet 1
Workbook p. 167: Final discussion reaction sheet 2
Workbook p. 169: Final discussion reaction sheet 3
Homework
Workbook p. 171: Final discussion reflection
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