LESSON THREE: Text Under the Microscope
LESSON DESCRIPTION
Students analyze text elements, problem/solution and author’s style.
GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
R2C Analyze character, plot, setting, point of view and development of theme: evaluate proposed solutions; analyze the development of a theme across genre; evaluate effect of author’s style and complex literary techniques.
LESSON MATERIALS
§ Sources of literature
o War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
o The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
§ Supplies
o Interactive Whiteboard or Overhead Projector
o Transparencies, Markers, Chalk
o Copy of “ The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe for each student
o War of the Worlds script for each student
§ Handouts provided
§ Words to know
o analyze
o evaluate
o genre
o plot
o point of view
o setting
o theme
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Assessment Scoring Guide
Students use a plot diagram to label elements of plot in War of the Worlds. Students choose one of the elements on the plot diagram and write a paragraph explaining how it belongs to the position of the plot diagram. Students use two details and/or examples from the story to support their answer.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Students define character, plot, point of view, theme, setting and problem/solution. Groups share/compare their results using “Pair Share” strategy.
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Idea
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Monitor students by circulating around the room. Correct any misconceptions. Ask students if they can define these items in their pair. |
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Strategy
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Pair Share In the Pair Share strategy, pairs generate ideas and compare their answer with another pair and see if working together they can come up with additional ideas. Kagan, S. (1994). Cooperative Learning. San Clemente, CA: Resources of Teachers, Inc. |
2. Students read Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado.
3. In a “think aloud” discussion, analyze the plot line of Poe’s story using a plot summary diagram.
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Questions for Students
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What is the story’s climax? Why did Poe place the climax at this point of the story? How is the reader affected by the climax? What happens in the exposition? What are the elements of rising action? Falling action? What is the plot resolution? |
4. Students return to their original groups to analyze all other text elements (character, point of view, theme, setting, and proposed solution). Students share results using Inside Outside circle cooperative grouping activity.
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Questions for Students
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Which characters are static and why? Which characters are dynamic and why? What personality traits are exhibited by each of the characters? How do the traits of the characters influence their actions? What point of view did Poe select to tell the story? Why did he choose this point of view? What is the setting of the story? How does the setting contribute to the story’s mood? What is the problem faced by each of the major characters? How does each character choose to solve his problem? Is this an effective solution? Why/why not? What is the story’s theme? Is the plot effective in relaying the author’s theme? Why/why not? |
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Strategy
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Inside Outside Circle places students in two circles, one on the inside and one on the outside, with circles facing each other. Inside circle students share information with students opposite them in the outside circle, and vice versa. Circles can rotate. Kagan, S. (1994). Cooperative Learning. San Clemente, CA: Resources of Teachers , Inc. |
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Idea
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Conduct a question answer session after Inside Outside Circle activity to clarify any questions. |
5. Review War of the Worlds script.