Zami: A New Spelling of My Name Lesson Plan

Exploring Audre’s Relationships

Kind of Activity:

Collaborative Writing

Objective:

Students will analyze the relationships the author describes in the memoir.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3

Structure:

To start the activity, have students work in pairs to list some of the women in Audre’s life. Students will likely list Audre’s mother, Gennie, Muriel, Ginger, Phyllis, Rhea, and more. Remind students that while Zami describes a lot of romantic drama, there are lessons in each relationship that Audre learns. Moreover, Audre’s relationships with women extend beyond romance. She has friends and family members that also influence her life. Each...