When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Creating a Lesson Plan: Developing Inclusive Curriculums”

In this activity, students will rewrite the lesson plan of a subject in US history in order to be less insular and more inclusive.

As Lilia becomes interested in the history of the Indian subcontinent, she is discouraged from studying this topic in school, and instead encouraged to focus on her American Revolution lessons. In this vein, Lahiri is commenting on how the US education system can be resistant to supporting and embracing multiculturalism. Consider your experience with the US education system regarding global affairs. For this Activity, you will select a historical topic taught in schools that you believe can be improved for students, and rewrite the curriculum to be more inclusive, as well as improve the subject of American Insularity as taught in the US education system. Use the following questions, as well as the template provided by your teacher, to guide your lesson plan writing:

• What era of history will you focus on?
• How were you taught this subject in school (if applicable)?
• Which information are you adding or changing? Why do you think this information was not included or presented fully in previous instruction?
• How does the added information make this topic more inclusive and less insular?
• Why should students learn your revised version of the topic?
• How might they benefit from this revision?
• What are some of the ways that students can engage with your revised curriculum (e.g., activities, questions, research, essay prompts, etc.)?

After preparing your lesson plan, share a draft with one classmate as part of a peer-review feedback process. Finally, share your lesson plan with the class in a presentation. Reflect on the different topics that your classmates have identified and consider the variety of inclusive adaptations.

Teaching Suggestion: This Activity invites students to critically examine the shortfalls of the US education system as it relates to the insularity of education, particularly on global affairs. Since the story’s publication, the US education system has been a source of discussion for many local and state governments. Attempts to change the way students learn, including the approach to different historical content, has been met with a variety of criticism. For this Activity, students should consider a topic they were taught in their schooling that lacked an inclusive approach, then revise it to be more holistically informative for younger generations. This article provides information and guidance for students on how to write a lesson plan. This Activity links to the second Scaffolded Essay Question.

Differentiation Suggestion: For classes where the students are interested in becoming educators, students may actually “teach” their new lesson to their classmates, as opposed to simply presenting their idea. In this vein, students will have the opportunity to both improve their public speaking skills as well as improve their teaching style and delivery of curriculum. For students who may benefit from more support, they can work with a partner or small group to create and present their lesson.