Interpreting Perspectives on Coming of Age

1. "Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde

• Do Now: Write a list or poem about all your current questions and concerns.
• Read "Hanging Fire" (poem)
• Observe: What are 2 important quotations? 
• Infer what the quotation means and reveals about the character 
• Interpret: Overall, what conclusions can you make about the text? What does it reveal about coming of age? 
• Extend: How does this connect to your life, the world overall, and/or other texts? What lessons do you learn from the text that can be applied to your own life?

2. "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

• Do Now: What do parents and other adults expect of you? Write a list or poem of commands and directions you hear on a regular basis.
• Read "Girl" aloud in class
• Observe: What are 2 important quotations? 
• Infer what the quotation means and reveals about the character 
• Interpret: Overall, what conclusions can you make about the text? What does it reveal about coming of age? 
• Extend: How does this connect to your life, the world overall, and/or other texts?  What lessons do you learn from the text that can be applied to your own life?

Writing activity: Write a 2-voice poem between a) parent and child, or b) 2 teenagers - about a particular conflict/problem that connects to the coming of age experience. Include perspectives/voices that are often unheard or not represented. Either work independently or in your small groups. Work will be collected.