Before the class is dismissed, papers should be collected and the teacher should briefly tell the students what is planned for the next oral reading activity. The African-American autobiography we will read is The Big Sea . We will also read poetry written that may relate to the above selection. As we read each autobiography, a particular literary device will be discussed. The students will read the selections together, taking turns reading aloud.
Oral reading helps many students to hear correct pronunciation.
The creative writing assignment that the students will be assigned at the end of the unit will bring together their knowledge and understanding of autobiographical characterization from a cultural perspective Langston Hughes character versus their own traits. We will also have discussed differences of other characters in the autobiography. The writing assignment will involve small groups of students brainstorming ideas for a character that will be their central character in a fictional autobiography. Each student must decide on a name, character traits, and a past life for their character. Each character must be from various geographical locations of the United States.