Narrative Text - Novel
Realistic Contemporary Fiction, Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird ,
Harper Lee
Before Reading the Novel, To Kill A Mockingbird:
Step 2: Set a purpose for reading.
It is always a good idea to set a purpose for your reading. It will help you to understand the text and hopefully give you motivation to read as well.
As you read the novel, think about these questions:
1) Why are we reading the novel To Kill a Mockingbird today when it was written in the 1960s?
2) Do the ideas in the book have any importance today?
3) What does the book mean in terms of how I think about myself, my family, my peers, my community, my country and humanity?
(From Deeper Reading,p.20,157 by Kelly Gallagher)
Step 3: You will maintain a Readers Notebook as a place for you to write your reactions to the novel and to record your assignments.
Below is an example of what to include in Readers Notebook:
Readers Notebook
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Things to think about as I read |
Reactions to what I read |
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Why are we reading this novel today since it was written a long time ago? |
The author is giving me a lot of background about the town of Maycomb. Why would she do that? Its boring. |
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Are the ideas in the book still important? |
Jem and Scout are funny names, and why do they call their Dad Atticus instead of Dad? |
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How does this book relate to my life, my family, etc? |
Whats the big deal about Boo Radley? Did he really stab someone with scissors? |
Step 4: View the PBS website below about the Scottsboro Trial. Harper Lee based some of the events of To Kill A Mockingbird on this trial. Be sure to read the timeline and the description of the film.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/
Step 5: After you view the website, write a journal entry in your Readers Notebook with your response to these questions:
1) Were you surprised by what happened to "The Scottsboro Boys?"
2) Did they get a fair trial? Why or Why not?
3) Do things like this happen today? Give examples.
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Rubric for Answering Questions: |
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CATEGORY |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Identifies details |
Student answers each question thoroughly and accurately, using many relevant details from the book. |
Student answers each question accurately, using some relevant details from the book. |
Student answers most questions accurately, using few details from the book. |
Student does not answer questions accurately, and does not use details from the book. |
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Identifies opinions when asked |
Student gives logical opinions and extensive evidence for support. |
Student gives opinions and evidence for support. |
Student gives opinions but little evidence for support. |
Students opinion is difficult to determine and there is no evidence for support. |
Step 6: View the powerpoint presentation below on elements of a novel, as background for reading.
Later in the unit you will be asked to use the information in this powerpoint so it is important that you view it.
· plot, setting, conflict
(internal/external),
· theme
· character development
· mood, tone, style
· authors purpose
· point of view
· design
Elements of A Novel PowerPoint:
There is a copy of the power point in the folder for this unit.