Page 17 - SpringBoard_CloseReading_Workshop_Grade7_Flipbook

Close Reading of informational/literary nonfiction Texts (continued)
ACTIvITy 4
Synthesis Questions
Your teacher may choose or ask you to choose one of the following assessments as a way of showing your understanding of the texts you have read.
Writing Prompt: Review the differing perspectives on slavery in the autobiographical text by Frederick Douglass and the biography of Harriet Tubman. Revisit the work you have done with both texts, and consider how the map relates to these works of literary nonfiction. Which written text demonstrates a stronger need for the Underground Railroad? Use evidence from both the passage and the map to support your choice.
Debate/Discussion: Prepare to debate or discuss the different paths Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, both escaped slaves, took in the fight against the institution of slavery. In a letter to Harriet Tubman, Douglass wrote the following:
“The difference between us is very marked. Most that I have done and suffered
in the service of our cause has been in public, and I have received much encouragement at every step of the way. You, on the other hand, have labored in a private way.”
In a struggle to change society, which is more important or effective: public speeches and writing, or private actions? Make notes of your ideas. Use your notes to participate in a class discussion about the different approaches to social justice.
Multimedia Presentation: You have been introduced to two written texts and one map about the struggle to escape slavery. What other texts or media could be added to this collection? Locate a song, poem, photo, artwork, or another written text that presents a unique perspective on the abolitionist movement. Prepare to share the original text (including a brief introduction providing context) with your class. Also share your thoughts on how this new piece could contribute to the overall portrayal of the struggle to end slavery.
Reflection
Think about what you have learned from your close reading and analysis of the text passages you have read in this workshop.
1. How did Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman each contribute to the struggle to end slavery in the United States? How did their different perspectives determine the manner in which they contributed to this struggle?
2. In this workshop, you have learned how to make meaning of three different texts. How can you use what you have learned to help you as you encounter challenging texts in the future? What strategies best helped you as a learner during this workshop? When and why would you use these strategies in the future?
16 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 7
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