When those we love choose not to conform

When those we love choose not to conform… Deeper discussion regarding conformity and integrity Red Scarf Girl

I can draw evidence from the text and relate it to experiences in my life and the lives of my classmates through open discussion. After discussion, I can reflect on what I shared and what was shared with me in order to determine if I have had a change in thought process or not – and identify why I experienced that change (or did not experience a change).

Hershey Kiss Comprehension Q’s! 1. Why do Ji-li’s parents talk in the bathroom? 2. Why was Ji-li’s father detained? 3. How does Ji-li’s reaction to her father’s detainment differ from the reactions of her younger siblings?

Text below is extracted from page 175 Lying in the darkness, I could hear the faint voices in the bathroom. I tried to close my eyes, but when I did, all I could see was Uncle Fan’s deformed face. Suddenly the voices in the bathroom grew louder. I held my breath and listened closely. “That’s nonsense! How could you do that? ” Dad said. “You know. They use psychological pressure. ” “That doesn’t mean that you should make up a story about something you never did!” Dad’s voice grew still louder. “So what if I never listened to foreign radio broadcasts? They’ll stop beating me if I confess to it won’t they? ‘Leniency to those who confess, and severity to those who resist. ’ Look at my face, Lao Jiang. I can’t stand it anymore…”

“I began crying to myself under the quilt. I did not know why. ” (Ji-li in reaction to her Uncle’s beating & false confession) Red Scarf Girl, page 176

Ji-li’s Response… Things to think over…as we discuss the following questions, write your responses in the left hand side of the T-Chart provided. What does Ji-li do in reaction to her father’s refusal to conform? Is there anything she chooses not to do? Do you think Ji-li is like her father? Does she admire him? In what ways is she like her father? In what ways is she different? Do you believe Ji’li’s response is justified? Are there any qualifying circumstances the reader needs to consider when evaluating Ji-li’s response? Is your position supported by the text?

Relate the Text to Your World Working with your elbow partner, use the guided discussion questions to recall and share a time when someone you loved decided to go against the norm. How did it effect you? What emotions did you experience? Were you proud, ashamed, confused (something else)? Describe how you felt and why. What was at stake in your real-life situation? You have 10 minutes to talk it over.

Reflect on Your Own Take a minute to reflect on your real-life situation. In your ELA notebook, write down your thoughts on the right hand side of the T-Chart. What was the situation? How did you react? Did you do something? Did you choose not to do something? How did you feel about the person that you love who chose not to conform?

You and Ji-li This was filled out earlier by students (during the initial discussion). You Students record information about their real-life experiences.

Table Talk Techniques Everyone speaks/shares If someone is quiet, politely ask them to share their perspective When a team member is speaking, listen Acknowledge team member’s input through questions & agreement If you disagree, politely (without being personal) share your perspective Always provide the member you disagree with an opportunity for rebuttal

Table Talk! Have a table team discussion - Ji-li’s experience & your own. Using your t-chart, treat Ji-li as another member of your table team. Although she can’t speak, her answers are available on the chart through our earlier discussion. Determine the similarities and differences between your experience with those of Ji-li and your table team. Did you share any similar emotions with your table team? Were any of your circumstances similar? Did you react differently than any of your table team members?

What did you learn? We’ve all heard the old saying, “Hindsight is 20/20”. After sharing your real-life situation with your partners and table teams, did you gain any valuable insights? Knowing what you know now, would you have done or said anything differently in your real-life situation? If yes, what would you have done or said differently? If no, what about your reaction are you most proud of and why? Did your perspective regarding Ji-li’s response to her father’s non-conformity change after your table talk? If so, how? If not, what about your original position was reinforced by the table talk?

What do you think? I can draw evidence from the text and relate it to experiences in my life and the lives of my classmates through open discussion. In class discussion today, I… Used evidence from the text to back up my thoughts _____ I shared my real life conformity experience ____ My position changed _______ My position remained the same ______ I listened to my classmates and provided supportive feedback ______

For tomorrow If you finished your reflection and exit slip, place your notebook in the crate prior to leaving class today. If you did not finish, no worries! Finish your reflection at home tonight and bring your notebook to class tomorrow. This assignment is DUE tomorrow, so come to class with your work completed! Tomorrow we will work on a project that incorporates our real-life situations and how they relate to both Ji-li’s situation and those of our classmates. Take Away Tid-Bit Consider your personal integrity and how it was challenged or strengthened through the real-life experiences you shared and heard today.