“A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature in English
Curriculum Theme: Drama
Previous Lesson: Comparative Overview of “The Pulley” and “Piano and Drums”
Topic: “A Raisin In The Sun” by
Subject Matter: Lorraine Hansberry”

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify Lorraine Hansberry as the playwright of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
• State key biographical details about Lorraine Hansberry.
• Describe the historical and social setting of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
• Summarize the main plot points of “A Raisin in the Sun.”

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the cultural significance of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
• Show interest in exploring themes presented in the play.

Psychomotor Domain

• Discuss the background of the playwright and the play.
• Outline the plot of “A Raisin in the Sun.”

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Literature-in-English textbook for SS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A copy of “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry
• Pictures of Lorraine Hansberry
• Charts summarizing the plot and characters of the play
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces students to “A Raisin in the Sun,” a seminal work of American drama. Understanding the play’s context, plot, and characters helps students develop critical thinking skills and appreciate the social issues it addresses. This knowledge forms a foundation for deeper literary analysis and discussion of universal themes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of drama as a literary genre and be familiar with analyzing simple plot structures and character roles in plays or stories.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

“A Raisin In The Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry

Background of the Playwright: Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Vivian Hansberry (1930-1965) was an African-American playwright and writer. She was the first African-American female author to have a play performed on Broadway. Born in Chicago, Illinois, her family’s experiences with racial segregation and housing discrimination heavily influenced her writing. “A Raisin in the Sun” is her most famous work, drawing inspiration from her own family’s legal battle against a restrictive covenant in Chicago.

Background and Setting of the Play

“A Raisin in the Sun” was first performed in 1959. The play is set in the South Side of Chicago during the 1950s, a period marked by significant racial segregation and economic hardship for African Americans. The setting is a cramped, rundown apartment shared by the Younger family. The play explores the challenges faced by African Americans striving for a better life amidst systemic racism and economic limitations.

Plot and Summary of the Play

“A Raisin in the Sun” tells the story of the Younger family, an African-American family living in a small, dilapidated apartment in Chicago. The family consists of Mama (Lena Younger), her son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, their son Travis, and Mama’s daughter Beneatha. The central conflict revolves around a $10,000 life insurance cheque received after the death of Mama’s husband.

1. The Arrival of the Cheque: The play opens with the family eagerly awaiting the insurance cheque, each member having different dreams for how the money should be spent.
2. Conflicting Dreams: Mama wants to buy a house with a garden, fulfilling a long-held dream. Walter dreams of investing in a liquor store to escape his chauffeur job and achieve financial independence. Beneatha, a college student, hopes to use the money for her medical school tuition. Ruth, Walter’s wife, is exhausted by their living conditions and supports Mama’s dream of a new home.
3. Mama’s Decision: Mama uses part of the money for a down payment on a house in Clybourne Park, an all-white neighborhood, believing it will provide a better environment for her family, especially Travis. She gives the remaining money to Walter, instructing him to deposit some for Beneatha’s education and keep the rest for himself.
4. Walter’s Betrayal: Walter, desperate for success, invests all the money, including Beneatha’s share, into the liquor store scheme with his “friends,” who then abscond with it.
5. Facing Adversity: The family faces immense despair and pressure, especially from Mr. Lindner, a representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, who offers to buy them out to prevent them from moving into the white neighborhood.
6. Family Unity and Hope: Despite the financial loss and external pressure, Mama’s strength and the family’s eventual unity prevail. Walter, initially tempted to accept Lindner’s offer, ultimately refuses, choosing dignity and family pride over money. The play concludes with the Younger family moving into their new home, facing an uncertain future but united in hope.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Reading, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the lesson by asking students if they have heard of any famous playwrights or plays that address social issues. The teacher then introduces Lorraine Hansberry and her play, “A Raisin in the Sun.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the playwright and the play.

Learning Point: Introduction to Hansberry

Step 2: Background of the Playwright

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Information Delivery

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a brief biography of Lorraine Hansberry, highlighting her birth, family background, and the influences on her writing, particularly her family’s struggle against housing discrimination.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification about Lorraine Hansberry’s life.

Learning Point: Hansberry’s biographical details

Step 3: Background and Setting of the Play

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Describing/Contextualizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the historical and social context of “A Raisin in the Sun,” focusing on the 1950s Chicago setting and the issues of racial segregation and economic hardship faced by African Americans during that era.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and discuss the social conditions of the 1950s in America, relating it to the play’s setting.

Learning Point: Play’s historical context

Step 4: Introduction to the Plot

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Narrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the main characters of the Younger family and the central conflict involving the $10,000 insurance cheque, explaining how each character has different aspirations for the money.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the main characters and their initial desires for the insurance money.

Learning Point: Main characters and conflict

Step 5: Plot Development – Mama’s Decision and Walter’s Actions

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining Key Events

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains Mama’s decision to buy a house and her trust in Walter with the remaining money. The teacher then describes Walter’s tragic mistake of investing all the money, leading to its loss.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils follow the progression of the plot, noting Mama’s actions and Walter’s misjudgment.

Learning Point: Plot’s turning points

Step 6: Resolution and Themes

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Analyzing/Concluding

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the family’s reaction to the loss, the offer from Mr. Lindner, and Walter’s ultimate decision to refuse the buyout, emphasizing the themes of dignity, family unity, and hope.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the resolution of the plot and identify the main themes emerging from Walter’s final decision.

Learning Point: Play’s resolution and themes

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Who is the playwright of “A Raisin in the Sun”?
2. Mention two key facts about Lorraine Hansberry’s background.
3. Describe the setting of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
4. Briefly summarize the main conflict concerning the insurance money.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding play’s basics

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the playwright’s background, setting, and plot summary into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reiterates the importance of “A Raisin in the Sun” as a significant work addressing themes of dreams, family, and racial discrimination. The teacher encourages students to read the full play.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s key takeaways.

Learning Point: Consolidating lesson understanding

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebooks.

1. Research and write a paragraph on how Lorraine Hansberry’s personal experiences influenced the themes in “A Raisin in the Sun.”
2. Identify the main characters of “A Raisin in the Sun” and state one dream each character holds at the beginning of the play.
3. Explain why the Younger family chose to move to Clybourne Park despite the challenges.

Lesson Keywords

• Lorraine Hansberry – The African-American playwright of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
• A Raisin in the Sun – A play about an African-American family’s struggles in Chicago.
• Segregation – The enforced separation of different racial groups.
• Clybourne Park – The white neighborhood where the Younger family buys a house.
• Insurance Cheque – The $10,000 inheritance central to the play’s plot.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simplified summaries of the plot and character motivations. Encourage them to focus on identifying the main characters and their basic dreams. For faster learners, challenge them to identify and discuss specific themes like racial discrimination, family values, and the pursuit of dreams within the plot summary provided.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search YouTube for: “A Raisin in the Sun summary SS3” or “Lorraine Hansberry biography and A Raisin in the Sun.”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a copy of “A Raisin in the Sun” or relevant excerpts, and be familiar with Lorraine Hansberry’s biography and the play’s plot. Begin by engaging students with questions about plays and social issues to set the context. Clearly explain Hansberry’s background and how it connects to the play’s themes. When summarizing the plot, use a clear, chronological approach, highlighting the main events and character motivations. Encourage students to participate in discussions and ask questions. During note-taking, ensure students copy the Board Summary accurately. Provide additional support to students who struggle with understanding the historical context or plot details, and challenge advanced learners with questions that require deeper analysis of themes and character development. Conclude by reinforcing the play’s significance and encouraging further reading.