September 3/4, 2008
Self-Starter: Finish up the Outsiders (Slang) Vocabulary sheet.
Student Target:
I can activate and add to my background knowledge before I read.
Readers will better understand and remember what they read when they activate (access) what they already know about the topic, and, if needed, add to that knowledge whatever they need to better understand as they read.
The following activities were to activate any schema (background knowledge) the students already had about the 1960's, and to add to that schema:
We listened to some music from the 50's as students finished up their vocabulary (60's slang) sheet.
We watched a small portion of a Paul Newman movie from the 60's (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid-- the part where they are running from the posse and jump from the cliff into the river), pretending we were in a darkened movie theater (with popcorn), then listened to and read the beginning of The Outsiders. "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."
Student Target:
I can recognize and define exposition in a story or novel.
Seventh grade students need to
a. Identify narrative plot structure (e.g., exposition, rising action, climax, falling action,
resolution). (Utah State Core, Standard 1, Objective 3a.) Today we worked on understanding what exposition is.
Exposition is the beginning of a story or novel which introduces the characters, setting, and situation. (The word is from the Latin for "to set forth, explain.")
Student Target:
I can recognize and describe a realistic (contemporary) novel.
The Outsiders is a realistic (contemporary) novel.
Realistic Fiction in a Modern Setting has these characteristics:
Characters: presents fictional characters who behave in realistic ways
Setting: takes place in modern times; a recognizable sort of place
Plot: has a plot that makes sense and that ends with a solution to the problem
A problem to solve: The main characters are involved in a conflict or dilemma (This genre is also called "Life Problems.")
Description: Places, events and characters are vividly described
Dialogue: The characters' words show their personalities and also move the plot along
(adapted from Teaching Genre by Tara McCarthy)
