UNIT 1: CHARACTER ANALYSIS
For our first unit, I am excited to offer students the opportunity this semester to CHOOSE a novel that interests them, read it independently, apply concepts explored in class, discuss it collaboratively and complete thought-provoking assignments based on their reading! After "speed dating" the novels, taking reading surveys, discussing interests and garnering guardian permission, each student will dive into the book of his/her choosing. It's my sincere hope that our students will fall in love with their reading! Peruse the selections here, and click the image to read more about each book. |
|
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
|
ANALYSIS
Analysis implies the breaking down of something into parts, or the discussion of something in a way that it becomes a dissection of the whole. CHARACTERIZATION Characterization is a literary device used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story. CONFLICT Conflict is a literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces, typically having a profound impact on the protagonist. MOTIVATION In literature, “motivation” is defined as the reason behind a character’s specific action or behavior. This type of behavior is characterized by the character’s own consent and willingness to do something. THEME Theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly. |
DAILY RUNDOWN
Friday, September 21
Practice common assessment
- All students will attempt 9th grade common unit assessment
- BEST effort required; no need to stress
- Click here for practice assessment
Thursday, September 20
PCEA paragraphs practice
- Collaborate in table groups to work through a murder mystery, assigning guilt to one character, and supporting their accusation in a series of PCEA paragraphs
- Assignment is posted in Google classroom; for an addition copy, click here
- BOOKS BY END OF TOMORROW 9/21
Tuesday, September 18
PCEA paragraphs practice
- Students will apply PCEA template to a paragraph examining the protagonist in their choice books
- Submitted in Google classroom DUE THURSDAY 9/20
- Choice books DUE FRIDAY 9/21
Monday, September 17
PCEA paragraphs introduction
- PCEA notes (Notes + Other Stuff)
- Close reading of passage from The Most Dangerous Game (Passage Study)
- Attempted PCEA paragraph with template (Notes + Other Stuff)
- Class draft/exemplar paragraph
Friday, September 14
Reading Quiz 1
Choice book reading time
Choice book reading time
- Choice books DUE FRIDAY 9/21
- 10 min. with the following prompt: Describe the conflict in your choice book. How does the protagonist approach the problem? How has your character changed throughout the course of the book so far? How has the conflict affected the protagonist’s motivations?
Thursday, September 13
Conflict and theme applied to short story
- Table groups read short story (The Interlopers in 4th and All Summer in a Day in 7th)
- Worked collaboratively to determine plot points (exposition: characters, setting, conflict; rising action, climax, falling action and resolution)
- Worked collaboratively to determine theme
Tuesday, September 11
Theme mini-lessonChoice book reading time with Character/Motivation Tracker
- Student passage "share" and class "Word Wall"
Monday, September 10
Revisit exposition "Passage Study" (group work)
Conflict mini-lesson Choice book reading time with Character/Motivation Tracker (see Friday, September 7 for handout link)
Conflict mini-lesson Choice book reading time with Character/Motivation Tracker (see Friday, September 7 for handout link)
- Exposition chart check during reading time
Friday, September 7
Character motivations
- Short lecture and notes on character motivation (click here for slides)
- Will be checked throughout the unit and collected at the end
Thursday, September 6
MAPS testing (followed by silent choice book reading)
Tuesday, September 4
Choice books (checked out from LMC)
Reading calendar (REQUIRED)
Choice book reading time with Exposition Chart (located in "Notes + Other Stuff")
Reading calendar (REQUIRED)
Choice book reading time with Exposition Chart (located in "Notes + Other Stuff")
Friday, August 31
Exposition (click here for slides)
- Definitions for the following went in our "Word Nerd Glossary":
- exposition
- setting
- characters
- conflict
- characterization
- Practiced noting exposition details with opening scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
- Passage study: reading for exposition details; color coded the close reading (Located in "Passage Study")
Thursday, August 30
Finish: Indirect characterization in Wonder
- Character analysis of Wonder's main characters: Auggie, Via, Isabel (Mom), Jack and Miranda
- One character per station; assignment in Google Classroom (group work) DUE TODAY
- In case of absence, click here for printable PDF
Monday + Tuesday, August 27 + 28
Indirect characterization in Wonder
- Character analysis of Wonder's main characters: Auggie, Via, Isabel (Mom), Jack and Miranda
Friday, August 24
Direct vs. indirect characterization cont'd
- Characterization practice:
- Card sort (review from yesterday)
- Children's book character analysis with graphic organizer DUE TODAY
Thursday, August 22 + 23
Pictures
Code of Conduct
Revisited/class "close" read of "Lamb to the Slaughter" excerpt (from Monday)
Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
Code of Conduct
Revisited/class "close" read of "Lamb to the Slaughter" excerpt (from Monday)
Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
Tuesday, August 21
Choice book speed dating + student-teacher reading conferences Remember: the books in the slideshow above are all hyperlinked to their Goodreads pages. Check them out!!
Monday, August 20
Interactive notebook set-up
Passage study
- Want to Read (Inside cover)
- Word Nerd Glossary (10 pages)
- Passage Study Place (20 pages)
- Notes + Other Stuff (Remainder)
Passage study
- Excerpted from "A Lamb to the Slaughter"; read and annotate; emphasis on character Mary Maloney
- Activating inferences!