The Secret Garden

setting Begins in India Mostly in London turn of the 20th century or early 1900s Protagonist – Mary Lennox

Background information Ten- year old Mary Lennox must go to England to live her with uncle after her parents’ death in India. Early in story, Mary is depictd as a spoiled, self-centered girl. But, story events bring about positive changes in her character. Mary learns that she has a cousin, estranged from his father. Both children undergo a change……

Journal #1 assignment: Is there a special place or room in your house where you like to go to be alone? Who else knows about this special place?

Overall assignment for SG: Students will maintain a working portfolio that will include journal entries, specific writing assignments, art activities and story maps. Additionally, students will perform a scene. In groups, they will depict an action where a major character shows growth and a positive change.

Ch. 1 No One Left Mary Lennox is a spoiled girl. Her parents are not interested in raising her, so her Ayah or Indian servant does. Her parents die from cholera – a disease. She is left alone.

Chapter 2- On The Moors Mary Lennox travels to live with her estranged uncle. She gets to his castle crossing the Moors – a dark and dreary wasteland.

Chapter 3 – Maid Named Martha Mary, main character, meets one of the servants of Misselthwaite Manor, her estranged Uncle’s house. Martha talks about her brother Dickon and how he likes to play with the animals.

Chp 4 – Gardens and a Gardener Mary ventures into the gardens and meets Ben Weatherstaff. He whistles and a male robin comes. Mary’s uncle, Mr. Craven, his wife died 10 years prior. The uncle locked the garden and buried the key.

Ch.5 A Cry in the House Mary finds out how Mrs. Craven died. Mary feels sadness for Mr. Craven. Then she hears “A Cry in the House.” Martha lies telling her it’s the wind .

Chapter 6- Open Doors Mary‘s curiosity leads her to explore the house. Mary finds ivory elephants. She finds a door and hears a cry. Finally, Mrs. Medlock catches her.

Chapter 7- A New Discovery Mary explores the gardens. She then finds the key . She and the robin connect.

Chapter 8-Something in the Ivy Martha gives Mary a jump rope. Mary begins to change by showing appreciation. While practicing, jump rope, Mary finds the door to the “Secret Garden.”

Chapter 9- Such a Strange Place Mary enters the ‘Secret Garden’ and describes it. (Pg. 48). Mary and Martha write a letter to Dickon to buy tools for a garden.

Chapter 10: Dickon Mary meets Dickon and they talk under a tree. Dickon goes to the garden and gives her the tools she needs. At first Mary is shy, then she warms up to Dickon. She tells him about the “Secret Garden”.

Chapter 11- A “Wick” Garden Mary and Dickon walk around the garden and see that it is “wick” or alive. They start making plans for the garden. They also suspect that someone had been in the garden and had pruned it.

Chapter 12 Just A Bit Of Earth Mary meets Mr.Craven finally. Mary spends more time outside and is interested in fixing up the garden. She asks for “ Just a bit of earth.”

Chapter 13- A Mysterious Boy Mary hears the crying and is determined to find it. She retraces her steps to find a boy, Mr. Craven’s son, Colin. Colin says he is very sickly and will die. He seems to be disabled. He went out as a little boy and people stared. Servants do everything for him.

Ch.14- Colin the Rajah Mary and Martha discuss meeting Colin. Mary thinks Colin is spoiled. Everyone treats Colin like he’s sickly and going to die. Colin reminds Mary of a rajah who lived in India. A doctor evaluates Colin and says too much excitement is bad for him.

Ch. 15 – Nest Building p.90 Mary and Dickon talk about letting Colin Know about the secret garden, but they aren’t sure about him keeping a secret. Mary and Dickon’s relationship grows stronger.

Ch. 16 – An Argument p. 95 Martha asks Mary to visit Colin ; instead she goes to the garden. This angers Colin. When she goes to see him, they get in a big argument.

Ch. 17- A Tantrum p. 100 Mary hears Colin having a tantrum, and Mary goes to his room.(Medlock is shocked to see Mary) Mary tells him to stop , but Colin says he can’t because he feels a lump on his back. The nurse and Mary convince Colin that there is no lump on his back. Colin begins to change and realizes he is not sickly.

Chapter 18 Sharing a Secret Mary and Dickon, along with his animals, are plotting a visit to Colin. Mary goes to Colin’s room where his curiosity of being outside grows.

Chapter 19 Colin’s Visitors Dr. Craven visits Colin and sees that he is better. Mary opens the window and Colin breaths the fresh air. Colin, in his rajah voice, commands to the staff that Dickon and his animals will visit him. Lastly, Dickon does visit.

Chapter 20 Going Outside Dickon and Mary push Colin outside for the first time. Colin goes to the secret garden.

Chapter 21 Someone Else in The Garden While exploring the garden, the kids see Ben Weatherstaff. At first, he is angry, but then he sees Colin, and is shocked. Everyone thought he was crippled. Colin stands for the first time. Ben has to keep their secret.

Ch. 22- Magic Colin says “ The magic” will occur in the garden where he will learn to walk. He wants to surprise his father, Mr. Craven, he can walk.

Ch. 23 Susan Sowerby Saves the Day The kids deicide the servants cannot know about Colin’s health improving. Mrs. Sowerby gives them extra food.

Chapter 24- Homecoming Mr. Craven gets a letter and has a dream about the garden. He slowly starts to have happy thoughts. He returns home to find Colin running in the garden and the children sit down to share their stories of what had happened.