Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 3
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 3 of 27

Objective


Identify the claims made in a radio story and assess whether the evidence used to support those claims is relevant and sufficient.

Readings and Materials


Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

What claim does the radio story make about the differences between Black Americans’ and white Americans’ access to the American dream between 07:40–13:19? What evidence does the story provide to support this idea? Is the evidence provided relevant and sufficient?

Sample Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Sample Response

Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What claim does the radio story make about the relationship between homeownership and wealth at 4:09–5:15?

  • What evidence does the radio story provide to support this claim? Is this evidence relevant and sufficient to support this claim?

  • Summarize the promise made to formerly enslaved people about land ownership and the outcome of this promise. Why is this important to understanding the contemporary gap in property ownership between Black and white Americans?

  • The radio story quotes a historian who says, "Homeownership for white people, rental for black people. And we're still living with that legacy today." The historian does not provide any specific evidence to support the claim that "we’re still living with that legacy today." What kind of evidence would you need to have in order to determine that the claim was sufficiently supported?

Discussion Questions

  • Based on what you read today, how might things have been different if formerly enslaved people had been given the forty acres and a mule they were promised?

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

languish

v.

  1. fail to make progress or be successful
  2. to become weak or pitiful

Academic

relevant

adj.

closely connected or appropriate to support an idea

sufficient

adj.

in appropriate amount; enough

Notes


  • There are some typos in this transcript.

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Poem: “Harlem” by Langston Hughes 

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.8 — Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
  • SL.7.3 — Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.2
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.2.c
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.b
W.7.10
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 2

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 4

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free