Image source: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YmHuq0xXvak/hqdefault.jpg
Cultural Exploration Text Set
Audience
8th grade ELA
Set Purpose
Frame a perception of Muslim females as
strong,
intelligent
role models
who are passionate about their causes
Audience
8th grade ELA
Set Purpose
Frame a perception of Muslim females as
strong,
intelligent
role models
who are passionate about their causes
Model School Library Standards Grade 8 Focus:
Standard 4. Students integrate information literacy skills into all areas of learning.
The student will independently pursue information to become a lifelong learner. 4.1 Read widely and use various media for information, personal interest, and lifelong learning: 4.3 Appreciate and respond to creative expressions of information:
Sherry Chapman Info 237-10
Standard 4. Students integrate information literacy skills into all areas of learning.
The student will independently pursue information to become a lifelong learner. 4.1 Read widely and use various media for information, personal interest, and lifelong learning: 4.3 Appreciate and respond to creative expressions of information:
Sherry Chapman Info 237-10
Anchor Text - Ms. Marvel: Volume 1: No Normal (2016) by G. Willow Wilson and artist Adrian Alphon
Annotation: Ms. Marvel No Normal depicts Kamala Khan as a female Muslim superhero who breaks the stereotypes. She is a timely, genuine superhero who is a Pakistani teenager struggling with her identity, religion, family issues, teenage issues, and school bullies. Kamala is inhuman, a shape-shifter and a healer, and gains her powers during a teragin cloud. According to the to CBS News article “Muslim-American superhero Ms. Marvel breaking stereotypes,” “‘She’s a teenager and she’s struggling to find her own path,’ Alonso tells us. ‘She’s imbued with great power and she learns the responsibility that comes with it. That’s a universal story. The fact that she’s female and first generation American, continuously struggling with the values and authority of her parents, gives the story extra nuance, but it’s a universal human story.’” This book appeals to students with basic to advanced reading levels, and the graphics are engaging and inspiring. Students will use print and visual reading skills to analyze the graphic comic book format.
Annotation: Ms. Marvel No Normal depicts Kamala Khan as a female Muslim superhero who breaks the stereotypes. She is a timely, genuine superhero who is a Pakistani teenager struggling with her identity, religion, family issues, teenage issues, and school bullies. Kamala is inhuman, a shape-shifter and a healer, and gains her powers during a teragin cloud. According to the to CBS News article “Muslim-American superhero Ms. Marvel breaking stereotypes,” “‘She’s a teenager and she’s struggling to find her own path,’ Alonso tells us. ‘She’s imbued with great power and she learns the responsibility that comes with it. That’s a universal story. The fact that she’s female and first generation American, continuously struggling with the values and authority of her parents, gives the story extra nuance, but it’s a universal human story.’” This book appeals to students with basic to advanced reading levels, and the graphics are engaging and inspiring. Students will use print and visual reading skills to analyze the graphic comic book format.
Image source: http://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/2017/02/20/kamalakhan220.jpg
List of Annotated Texts
Note: Articles are linked where available. To access articles from my school database use the password - remote
1. Meet the new Ms. Marvel -- a female, Muslim, Pakistani superhero
My school database password: remote
Annotation: This article gives a brief background for the development of the female Muslim superhero in the Ms. Marvel series of texts. This article shows the vision of the writer to create a text that young Muslim females can relate to within popular culture. She is not a typical superhero, and the fact that she struggles with identity resonates with all young people.
Link:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Audios&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=MultiTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CA360351613&docType=Audio+file%2C+Broadcast+transcript&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=&prodId=MSIC&contentSet=GALE%7CA360351613&searchId=R2&userGroupName=dsavagems&inPS=true#
2. Fan-Film KAMALA embodies the spirit of Ms. Marvel
Annotation: This video provides a visual partner to the comic book. It brings the graphic version alive through a short video. We see Kamala as a teenage girl who struggles with her culture, identity and stereotyping, but who is also a superhero. This fan-film will resonate with students.
3. Short 6 Ms. Marvel
Annotation: This Disney short video helps create interest in this character and comics. Students will see her as a non-traditional superhero. More importantly, students will see her as a strong teenage, female character who will give students a positive view of Muslim females.
4. Fandom - Kamala Khan and Twitter @MsMarvelNow and @Marvel - Marvel Entertainment Annotation: Ms Marvel twitter page social media platform to follow the character and Marvel Fandom to experience the character universe beyond the pages of the comic book.
Twitter link:
twitter.com/msmarvelnow?lang=en%20&%20https:/twitter.com/Marvel?%20ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
5. After Fighting To Go To School, A Pakistani Woman Builds Her Own
My school database password: remote
Annotation: This is an article about one Pakistani female Muslim crusader who picked up where Malala left off. Students will experience the perspective of another strong woman committed to women’s rights.
Link:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Audios&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=TopicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CA314284274&docType=Audio+file%2C+Broadcast+transcript&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=&prodId=MSIC&contentSet=GALE%7CA314284274&searchId=&userGroupName=dsavagems&inPS=true
6. Malala Yousafzai
My school database password: remote
Annotation: Brief biography that entails Malala’s determination to stand up for women’s education and human rights through great adversity. Her activism led to her being acknowledged by the world when she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Link:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&searchType=ts&userGroupName=dsavagems&inPS=true&contentSegment=&prodId=MSIC&docId=GALE|IPAMKV241544107&it=r
7. Hijab in sports: How Muslim women athletes are fighting for acceptance
Annotation: This article explores the female Muslim athlete in the Olympics. The article notes that these women are athletes and should be viewed for their athletic accomplishments rather than identified by their hijabs. This article also brings about the issues of the hijab being banned at some events forcing women to choose between honoring their faith and competing. This presents an argument that can be used as a teachable moment.
8. ‘No Guts, No Heart, No Glory:' Female Muslim boxers smash stereotypes
My school database password: remote
Annotation: This article focuses on one young Muslim woman who inspired the video. Because of bullying from the age of 13, she turned to boxing to overcome her struggles.
NOTE: The video that this article refers to is on YouTube and about 7 minutes. Although this may be acceptable for students to view on their own, teachers should preview it for appropriateness before considering using it in class. It uses the F*** word multiple times. Although it attempts to be inspiring, in my opinion, it probably should be used with discretion in the classroom. I have included the link here for reference. https://youtu.be/T4jb1ZQXG_c
Link:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T004&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=MultiTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CA405705257&docType=Article&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=&prodId=MSIC&contentSet=GALE%7CA405705257&searchId=R5&userGroupName=dsavagems&inPS=true#
9. The Boxing Girls of Kabul
Movie trailer link: http://www.nfb.ca/film/boxing_girls_of_kabul/trailer/boxing_girls_of_kabul_trailer/
Movie available for download: www.imdb.com/title/tt2391069/
Subtitled in English, 52 min
Annotation: This movie depicts a true story about women in Kabul who wanted to compete in the Olympics. They candidly discuss their obstacles and their determination. Although they did not have access to the same resources that other Olympic teams get, they still pursued their dreams. If there is not enough time to watch the whole video, the movie trailer is very good and well worth showing students and appropriate for individual students to view on their own.
10. Does my head look big in this?
Annotation: Female Muslim protagonist. Female empowerment, cultural and religious acceptance. A teenager decides to wear a hijab full time. She stands by her decision and her faith in the face of prejudice. This would be an entertaining read for students and may create empathy for a struggle they may not understand. Many of the teenage issues will resonate with all teenagers.
11. God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems: Asiya Haque Mystery #1
Annotation: This is an entertaining fictional story that gives the reader a peek into Muslim family life through the eyes of a teenager. It also includes a good mystery when the characters stumble upon a dead body. It has good reviews in both Amazon and Good Reads. This would be a good read for a student who likes mysteries. The family issues are like those of many teenagers, and they will be able to relate to the main character. Muslim teenagers will particularly appreciate seeing someone like themselves as the main character.