Objectives:
About the author
Characterization work
Review of literacy terms
Discussion Qs
Read the story
Comprehension Qs
“On your own” type Qs
Short Video
Quick Write
Test
Writing Assignment-Character Analysis
About the Author, Gish Jen
Gish Jen, author of "The White Umbrella" is a second generation
Chinese American, born in 1955 in Long Island, New York. "The
White Umbrella" was written based on Gish's real-life experiences.
For example, both the narrator and Gish struggled to get used to
the American culture. In addition, in "The White Umbrella" the
narrator is embarrassed that her mother is working as a secretary,
and in real life, Gish is embarrassed of how Chinese she is. Also
importantly, similar to the story, the narrator and Gish both have
regrets and thoughts that they wish they could take back, such as
when the narrator says "I wish you would quit!" (Pg.10). In
summary, Gish Jen wrote "The White Umbrella" based on what
she has experienced and lived through for her entire life.
Discussion (Discussion points)
Small Group Discussion: Turn and talk
1. Have you ever been embarrassed by something a family
member did?
2. How do you react when someone gives you an unexpected
gift?
Large Group Discussion:
Be prepared to share what your partner anwered to both
questions.
On Your Own Kinds of Qs
1. In the story, the narrator doesn't feel confident in who
she is and her ethnic identity. Describe a time when you
felt insecure in your identity.
2. In the story, the narrator tells Miss Crosman that she
wishes she was her mother, and then feels guilty.
describe a time when you felt like your parents didn't
understand you.
Quick Write
1. Create a list of sacrifices your parents, or those who
care for you, have made for you.
2. Then, choose one sacrifice from the list and explain
what they do or are now doing to help make your life
better in every way.
The End
First Reading
 LISTEN as the text is read aloud.
 Mark the text where you have questions. Use post-its. 
Sharing questions
1. The question you asked that interested you the
most:
2. The question someone else asked that
interested you the most:
Second reading
1. Some new
things I noticed in
the second
reading:
2. What I am most
interested in
exploring in the
discussion (a part of
the story, a
character, or a
question):
The focus question: Write the question and
your answer before the discussion
Why does the narrator throw the umbrella down a
sewer?
1. Why does the narrator want the white umbrella so much?
2. Why does the narrator tell Ms. Crossman that her mother is going to
buy her a white umbrella for Christmas?
3. Why does the narrator tell Ms. Crossman that she wishes she were
her mother?
4. Why doesn’t the narrator want her mother and sister to know about
the white umbrella?
Your answer to the focus question after the
discussion
 You may change or add to your original answer!
Additional Discussion points:
 1. Why does the narrator insist on waiting for her mother outside in the rain?
 2. Why doesn’t the narrator Ms. C. to know her mother is working?
 3. Why does the narrator think that playing extra well will show Ms. C. that she
doesn’t have to “feel sorry for me”? Pg. 4
4. We’ll discuss our other unanswered questions!