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Lesson Plan July 27, 2021

‘I Am Omar’: Exploring Identity and Representation

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Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students consider questions surrounding identity and representation by analyzing a story about a Muslim scholar from Senegal, who wrote the only surviving autobiography in Arabic by an enslaved person in the United States. Links: "i am omar" [complete text] Comprehension questions [.pdf] Comprehension questions [.docx]
SECTIONS


Warm-up:

  • Make a list of five words that describe your identity 
  • Discussion: 
    1. How did you decide on these words? Are these words you’ve used to describe yourself, words others have used to describe you, or both?
    2. What influences our identities?

Analyzing the Reporting: Reading “I Am Omar” published by the Post and Courier and responding to comprehension and discussion questions.

Extension Activities:

  1. Create Identity Charts
  1. Think like a Photojournalist
  1. Mapping Omar’s Journey
  2. Reflective Writing

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