Lesson 3.2

"The New Man in Charge"

Welcome to English 11 Unit 3, Lesson 2!

Below you will find the objective for this lesson...

After reading the anchor text along side a comparative work of the student's choice, and participating in a Socratic dialogue, students will craft a response to the following prompt:

Do children owe it to the people who raised them to honor their requests, even when they are life-altering?


What are we reading in Lesson 3.2?


  • Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God (Anchor Text), Chapters 3-5

  • Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”

    • OR

  • Zora Neale Hurston, “Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo”

Lesson 3.2 Assignments:

CLICK HERE to view deadlines and must do assignments for Unit 3

  • Read and annotate chapters 3 through 5 of anchor text + reading quiz on StudySync (M)

  • Complete section 2 of reading guide (M)

  • Choice read and quiz on ONE of the following texts available on StudySync: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” OR “The Story of the Last Black Cargo” (M)

  • Final draft of reading guide prompt 1 rewrite to Google Classroom (M)

  • Participate in Socratic Seminar #2 (M)

  • Skill: Summarizing (S)

  • Close Read: Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” (A)

Seminar Focus

Zora Neale Hurston was a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and here we have an example of each, with a common theme of dealing with the aftermath of slavery for African Americans. Compare and contrast some of the different approaches Hurston took when writing about this topic in fiction and in non-fiction. Point to specific examples and cite evidence from both texts to support your analysis. You may substitute, or include, a comparison of Douglass’ piece as well.

Finish Line

CLICK HERE to jump to Lesson 3.3