Maria Mercurio, James Madison High School
Level: Intermediate-ESL

READING 1 ("Gentle Gwan Yin, " from Noah and the Golden Turtle Stories from the East and West for the ESL Student by Sarah Skinner Dunn)

READING 1 COMPREHENSION SHEET

READING 2 ("The Virgin of Guadalupe")

Instructional Objectives:

1. Understand and use selected vocabulary
2. Read and analyze passage
3. Compare "Gentle Gwan Yin" with "The Virgin of Guadalupe"
4. Analyze image of Gwan Yin/Guanyin as an image of compassion in Buddhist tradition

Procedure:

1. Vocabulary is taught in contest prior to reading.
2. Vocabulary is subsequently modeled by the students with choral repetition.
3. The model question is written on the board at the beginning of each part.
4. Reading is accomplished through individual, choral and silent reading.
5. Answer reading comprehension questions.

Aim: Who is the Gentle Gwan Yin (Gwanyin)?

Background:
One of the most popular figures in Chinese Buddhism is the Bodhisattva (Buddhist saint) Gwan Yin (Gwanyin). Having originated from Indian Buddhism as a superior being who aids the suffering of the world, Gwan Yin is a key figure in the devotional practices of Chinese Buddhists.

Vocabulary:
1. mercy - compassion
2. disobey - not follow the rules
3. furious - angry
4. convent - religious community of nuns
5. hardship - difficulty
6. discourage - dishearten
7. strangled - killed by squeezing the throat
8. realm - kingdom
9. throne - special seat used by ruler
10. lotus blossom - kind of flower (water lily)
11. kowtowed - bowed
12. tangled - knotted
13. incense - substance that produces a sweet smell when burning
14. sacred - holy
15. shrine - place of worship

Motivation: What are the characteristics of a good mother?

Leading Questions:
Part I: (paragraphs 1-3) Why does Miao Shan's father become furious with her?
Part II: (paragraphs 4-7) How does rhe Emperor of Heaven help Miao Shan become Gwan Yin?
Part III: (paragraphs 8-end) Why and how do people honor Gwan Yin?

Summary through cooperative peer interaction:

Students will break into pairs to discuss the following questions: What incidents from the story "Gentle Gwan Yin" explain how she became the symbol of the perfect mother or Goddess of mercy?

Homework:

Research Gwan Yin/Gwanyin or any other historical or legendary person who is known for his or her self-sacrifice for the good of others>

Follow-up lesson:

1. Read similar story from another culture (e.g. "The Virgin of Guadalupe") and compare and contrast to "Gentle Gwan Yin".