Paired Texts > Underface

by Shel Silverstein 2011

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Fish Cheeks
Fish Cheeks
Amy Tan

In "Fish Cheeks," which is about a Chinese American girl who feels embarrassed by her family during dinner, Tan explores how culture can be essential to a person's identity.

Pair “Fish Cheeks” with “Underface” and ask students to discuss how the two texts explore different aspects of a person’s identity. Why does Amy try to hide parts of her identity? Why do you think the speaker in “Underface” presents a certain identity to the world? Do you think the characters are disadvantaged if they choose to hide parts of who they are?

6th Grade Short Story 910L
Names/Nombres
Names/Nombres
Julia Alvarez

In Julia Alvarez's short story "Names/Nombres," the author explores the various names she has received over the years.

Pair “Names/Nombres” with “Underface” and ask students to discuss whether or not a person’s identity is fixed. Can a person’s identity be fluid? Does Julia’s identity change with her name throughout the text? Why or why not? How does the identity of the speaker in “Underface” evolve throughout the poem?

6th Grade Memoir 960L
Masks
Masks
Shel Silverstein

This short but profound poem deals with the experience of hiding one's identity.

Pair “Masks” with “Underface” and ask students to discuss how Shel Silverstein explores identity in the two poems. What are the disadvantages to hiding who you are, as explored in the two poems? How are the two poems similar in style and tone?

5th Grade Poem
Yesees and Noees
Yesees and Noees
Shel Silverstein

In Shel Silverstein's poem "Yesees and Noees," a speaker describes three different types of people: the "Yesees", the "Noees", and the "Thinkforyourselfees".

Pair “Underface” with “Yesees and Noees” and ask students to discuss how the two poems explore the idea of being true to yourself. Why might someone hide their ‘underface’? How does this compare to the reason someone might always say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, rather than thinking for themselves?

5th Grade Poem
"The Worst Birthday" from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
"The Worst Birthday" from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling

After a year spent at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, Harry Potter returns to his non-magical family for the summer, where he must endure his family treating him badly because they fear his powers.

Pair "The Worst Birthday" from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with "Underface" and ask students to discuss what it means to put on a false face. Why do people hide their true feelings or identities from those around them? How does Harry put on an “underface” around the Dursleys? How is it possible to feel lonely when in the company of other people?

6th Grade Fantasy 980L
Getting Even
Getting Even
Deb Westgate-Silva

In Deb Westgate-Silva's short story "Getting Even," Rosa tries to get even with a friend who hurt her. 

Pair “Underface” with “Getting Even” and ask students to discuss how Rosa hides her true feelings from Stephanie. Why doesn’t Rosa let Stephanie see her “underface”? How do you think keeping her feelings to herself contributes to Rosa’s feelings of loneliness? What do you think would have happened if Rosa was honest about Stephanie about how her actions affected her?

3rd Grade Short Story 490L
Peaches
Peaches
Adrienne Su

In Adrienne Su's poem "Peaches," a speaker describes being the child of Chinese immigrants in America.

Pair “Underface” with “Peaches” and ask students to discuss how both poems explore the complexity of identity. How do both poems explore multiple aspects of a person’s identity? What do students think is the speaker’s “underface” and “outside face” in the poem “Peaches”?

5th Grade Poem
Gren's Ghost
Gren's Ghost
Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

In Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick's short story "Gren's Ghost," a boy agrees to meet his classmate at a castle, unsure of what to expect.

Pair “Underface” with “Gren’s Ghost” and ask students to discuss how identity is explored in the two texts. Do students think that Finn has an “outside face” in the story? What does he show to the world and what does he keep hidden? How does Gren help Finn present a different “face” to the world? Do students think this new face is more authentic?

7th Grade Short Story 680L
Sweet, Difficult Sounds
Sweet, Difficult Sounds
I.M. Desta

In "Sweet Difficult Sounds," a young girl who immigrated to America from Zimbabwe struggles with confidence as she adjusts to her new school environment.

Pair “Underface” with “Sweet Difficult Sounds” and have students discuss the difference between Nothukula’s school personality and her real personality. How does Nothukula’s description of herself in Zimbabwe compare to the way she acts in America? Describe Nothukula’s “outside face.” Why is she hesitant to show her true personality? How do you think Nothukula will change based on the ending of “Sweet Difficult Sounds”?

6th Grade Short Story 790L
The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed
The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed
Retold by Elisa Oh

In "The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed," a jealous brother learns an important lesson with the help of a sparrow.

Pair “Underface” with “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed” and have students discuss Nol Bu and Heung Bu’s personalities. Do students think that Nol Bu and Heung Bu have an underface that they hide from others? Why or why not? Ask students to discuss whether or not they have an underface. How would they describe their underface?

5th Grade Fiction - General
Saturday School
Saturday School
Lulu Delacre

In "Saturday School," a young girl experiences a tough first day trying to learn "correct Spanish."

Pair “Underface” with “Saturday School” and ask students to discuss the shared themes of the texts. What does it mean to have an “underface”? Does Sandra have an underface, and if so, how would you describe it? Ask students to support their explanations with quotes from the text.

6th Grade Fiction - General 690L
Unusual Normality
Unusual Normality
Ishmael Beah

In "Unusual Normality," Ishmael Beah describes his experience transitioning to life in America after his experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone.

Pair “Underface” with “Unusual Normality” and ask students how Ishmael Beah puts on a face for his new classmates. Why is he hesitant to reveal his inside face? Why is it scary to reveal our true selves to people around us? Why do we think people want to see our “smiley” and “sure” faces instead of our real faces and emotions?

6th Grade Memoir 830L
The Homecoming
The Homecoming
Laurence Yep

In "The Homecoming," a man learns the consequences of focusing on everyone's business but his own.

Pair “Underface” with “The Homecoming” and ask students to discuss the ways in which the personality that people show on the outside is sometimes different from what is underneath. How might this be true for characters in “The Homecoming?” Do you think that the woodcutter’s need to get involved in others’ business is all there is to his personality? Do you think that there could be more underneath that leads him to behave in this way?

5th Grade Short Story 590L
Joint Custody
Joint Custody
Ada Limón

In "Joint Custody," the speaker reflects on their experience growing up in two households.

Pair “Underface” with “Joint Custody” and ask students to compare the speakers’ experiences. What experience does the speaker share in “Underface”? What experience does the speaker share in “Joint Custody”? When is it okay to share difficult experiences with others, and when is it okay to keep them hidden?

5th Grade Poem
maggie and milly and molly and may
maggie and milly and molly and may
E. E. Cummings

In "maggie and milly and molly and may," four girls have different experiences playing at the beach in this experimental poem.

Pair “Underface” with “maggie and milly and molly and may” and have students think about times when they feel free to truly be themselves, and times when they feel like they cannot be themselves. Why do you think that the speaker in “Underface” wears an “outside face”? One of the things that the girls in "maggie and milly and molly and may" like about the beach is that they can be themselves, even if they are different. Do you have places where you feel like you must wear an “outside face?” Do you have places where you feel like you can be your truest self? What do you like about those places?

4th Grade Poem
Missing Mom on Mother's Day
Missing Mom on Mother's Day
Lissa Rovetch

In "Missing Mom on Mother's Day," advice columnist "Ask Arizona" helps a reader navigate their feelings around Mother's Day.

Pair “Underface” with “Missing Mom on Mother’s Day” and have students discuss the shared themes of the two texts. What does it mean to have an “underface”? Does James from “Missing Mom on Mother’s Day” have an underface and, if so, how would you describe it? Have students support their thinking with evidence from the text. As an extension activity, students can create a visual image that reflects an interpretation of their own underface or that of someone they know.

4th Grade Fiction - General 680L