The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Page 415 CCRS – RL.9-10.1; RL.9-10.2; RL.9-10.3; RL.9-10.4; RL.9-10.5; R.9-10.10; SL.9-10.1; L.9-10.4; L.9-10.6 Literary Skills – Understand symbolism Reading Skills – Make inferences from details ARI – Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension

The Scarlet Ibis Literary Focus: Symbols A symbol is an object, event, person, or animal that stands for something more than itself. Symbols are all around you in your everyday life. Their special meanings have been handed down over time.

The Scarlet Ibis Literary Focus: Symbols In “The Scarlet Ibis,” you’ll notice similarities and links between one character and a bird. Pay attention to how the author makes a symbolic connection between the character and the bird. This symbolism can help deepen your understanding of the character.

The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details As you read a story, you make inferences, or educated guesses, about what the writer is trying to say. You can base your inferences on your own prior knowledge and on evidence from the text. Prior Knowledge about how stories work about your own life experiences Evidence from Text descriptions setting dialogue Inference + =

The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details One way to make better inferences is to notice important details in the story. Details may seem insignificant at first, but most writers choose details carefully to help convey a certain meaning or message. Colors, seasons, names, times, objects, animals, and clothing—almost any little thing can help you make inferences about meaning.

The Scarlet Ibis Reading Skills: Making Inferences from Details Pay attention to details as you read “The Scarlet Ibis,” and practice making inferences. Keep track of the little things: trees colors flowers animals gestures weather What larger meanings can you infer from these details?

The Scarlet Ibis Background p. 414 The story is set in the American South. Its climax takes place in 1918, the year World War I ended. You’ll find references in the story to battles being fought far away from its peaceful southern setting. As you read, think about why the author chose this setting. The physical setting— American South in 1918 The historical setting— end of World War I

The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary sullenly adv.: resentfully; gloomily. imminent adj.: near; about to happen. iridescent adj.: rainbowlike; displaying a shifting range of colors. serene adj.: peaceful; calm. infallibility n.: inability to make a mistake.

The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary blighted v. used as adj.: suffering from conditions that destroy or prevent growth. doggedness n.: stubbornness; persistence. reiterated v.: repeated. precariously adv.: unsteadily; insecurely. mar v.: damage; spoil.

The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary Vocabulary Activity: Sentence Completion Fill in the blanks with the correct Word Bank words. iridescent blighted serene precariously imminent 1. The sudden thunder disturbed the ___________ mood. 2. The sunlight cast an ___________ glow over the lake. 3. A darkening sky warned that a storm was ___________ . 4. The crops are ___________ due to the severe drought. 5. The trembling bird perched ___________ on a tree limb. serene iridescent imminent blighted precariously

The Scarlet Ibis Quickwrite Make the Connection 1. Make a list of situations that might make someone feel proud. 2. Is pride positive or negative—can it be both? Jot down your thoughts about what it means to be proud.

While Reading 1.- 6. Answer the Making Inferences questions throughout the story. What is the effect of the author’s use of flashback? Explain the conflicting motivation of the narrator in his treatment of his brother.

Activity Explain your opinion of the narrator’s behavior at the end of the story. Is he in some way responsible for Doodle’s death? Cite at least one reference to the story. The story would be a very different story if it were told through Doodle’s eyes. Pick a key scene in the story and tell it through Doodle’s eyes. Use the first person point of view. P. 429 Word Knowledge Practice 1 (1-10) P. 429 Figurative Language Practice 2 (1 & 2)