Lesson 12: Cluster 3: Who is She - Lesson 6: Writing

Do you think DNA played a factor in finding the identity of the woman in the photo?

Find
Idea
No one
Pattern
Scientist
Similar
Special
Study

9.12.4 construct grade appropriate oral and written claims and support them with reasoning and evidence.

Reading for comprehension
Writing for comprehension
Understanding and applying vocabulary

To develop narrative and empathetic writing skills using the provided text events.

DOK Level: DOK 3 (Strategic Thinking)

Biometric Technology & Smartphones: Connect Dr. John Daugman’s eye-pattern recognition technology to everyday modern tech that students use, such as Apple's FaceID, iris scanners, or fingerprint touch IDs on their cell phones.
Refugee and Immigrant Experiences: Many ESOL students may personally relate to or know people who have experienced displacement, migration, or living in refugee camps, mirroring Sharbat Gula's background during the Soviet-Afghan War.
Media Ethics and Privacy: Discuss the concept of viral media. The photo was famous worldwide, yet the subject didn't even know she was famous. This connects heavily to modern conversations around viral TikToks, memes, and consent in digital photography

Temporal Misconceptions (The Time Gap): Because high school ESOL students might quickly glance at the text and images, they may think the transition from the young girl to the woman happened rapidly. They might struggle to grasp that 17 years passed between the two photos (1985 to 2002) and that she aged into adulthood during that time.
The Scientist's Role: Students might misinterpret "They asked a scientist" to mean the scientist physically went out to hunt for or discover her location in the mountains, rather than understanding that his role was strictly forensic/technological (biometric eye pattern recognition).
Identity vs. Name Recognition: Students might assume "no one knew the girl's name" meant she was an orphan or had no family who knew her, rather than realizing the Western media and the original photographer simply failed to record her identity when taking the photo in a refugee camp.
Geographic Confusion: The text notes she is from Afghanistan. Students with limited geographical background knowledge might conflate her cultural attire (the burqa/hijab) with neighboring regions or assume all people from Asia look or dress the same way.

Sentence starters
Visual aids
Small group instruction

Exit ticket

Student participation

Classwork

Slides

Materials