This unit takes elements of the American short story. During this unit you will read multiple short stories, analyze theme and key ideas of naturalism, realism and regionalism, plot elements, setting and figures of speech, take a unit test, and write a compare and contrast essay.
September 4, Tues.- Introduction to Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism *HW - (1) Read Biography of Jack London, (2)Read Stephen Crane Biography, and (2) read the beginning of"Open Boat" by Stephen Crane.
September 5 (Block) - Survival of the Fittest: Naturalism in London’s “The Law of Life” and Reading Analysis: Understanding Theme and Character in Crane’s “The Open Boat” SWBAT cite strong and thorough textual evidence to demonstrate an understanding of the ideas of Naturalism and the author’s life, as presented in “The Law of Life.” SWBAT prepare for a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas by analyzing the portrayal of nature and the development of characters in “the Open Boat” by Stephen Crane. Big Idea: “Jurassic Park teaches us “life finds a way” but Jack London shows while life continues, the individual may not.
For this class you should have read Jack London's "Law of Life" . Primary Plot Recall Questions.
Life and Times of Jack London: Biographical Context: Review the biography of Jack London. Read biography aloud as a class. As we read, we determine, in discussion between passages/paragraphs, how the draw of the Alaskan wilderness drove London, and analyze how that central idea appears in his writing, how it emerges in "The Law of Life" and is shaped by the details of his own life.
Respond to prompt
Read "The Open Boat" independently. Complete "The Open Boat's" Reading Guide by next class.
September 6 -Open Boat, Open Discussion: Reviewing Key Ideas SWBAT propel class discussion by asking about and responding to key ideas about Naturalism and characterization in Stephen Crane’s “The Open Boat”
An In-Depth Review of “The Boat”. Review and discussing the reading study guide with partner 10 mins. Whole class discussion to follow.
September 7 - Collaborative Character Analysis of “The Story of an Hour” SWBAT explore the ways in which the complex character of Mrs. Louise Mallard, develops, rises, and falls, over a relatively short story, through a collaborative discussion on characterization.
Small Group Study Guide: Collaborative Comprehension. Students are given "The Story of an Hour Response" Guide to be completed in class. In their groups students are divided into three roles. Students in each group are expected to have come to class prepared, and participate in the conversation; and to propel their group discussions forward by connecting the character analysis to the historical context of the story and Kate Chopin's own life, as well as the look at irony we have completed.
Class Discussion: Marriage Misunderstanding: A Look at Brentley Mallard
HW - begin studying for the big unit test coming up next week!
September 10 -SWBAT analyze the impact of word choice on tone by distinguishing the definitions of homophones. SWBAT analyze character and theme by developing their own test questions.
Vocab Review - Determine the meaning of the words as they are used in the text, and analyzing the impact of specific each of these word choices on meaning and tone.
Test Review Guide handed out. Use the list of stories and skills to begin studying, and to craft three questions that address the development of the theme over the course of the story, including how the plot details shape the theme, and the development of the characters over the course of the story, and how their development shapes the theme.
HW - study for test!
September 11 -The Story’s Voice: Identifying and Analyzing Narrative Point of View SWBAT assess the impact of narrator’s voice on the content and style of a short story through a collaborative review of the stories in our look at Realism, Regionalism and Naturalism.
Complete RNN Narrative Notes Sheet in small group.
HW - Finish Narrative Notes Sheet and study for unit test! 3 more days!
September 12 - Asking and Answering Level Three Questions SWBAT analyze theme and key ideas of Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism literary movements by asking questions that idealize, imagine, and predict.
Review RNN Narrative Point of View Guide
Evaluate your three questions (from 9/5) using this handout with a seat partner. Read their question. Evaluate their question and modify them into a level three question. *As you revise and craft new questions, please make sure you are addressing the ideas of Realism, Regionalism, and/or Naturalism, especially how the details of the story are important to those literary movements or characterization and the character's role in the story.
HW - Study! Your unit test on Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism is Sept. 14!
September 13 - SWBAT show their level of mastery in understanding the literary movements of Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism by taking a unit exam.
September 14th - RNN Unit Test!
September 15th: In-Class Essay: Compare and Contrast how theme is developed in two of the short stories we have read and how one literary device develops that theme.