Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Close Reading #1 Text analysis & activity

Close Reading – Ch. 9 Go to the very end of chapter 9 when Atticus and Jack are discussing the trial. Read the text starting with Atticus saying, “Before I’m through, I intend…”. Stop at the end of the chapter.

Close Reading – Ch. 9 Atticus says to his brother: “You know what’s going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease.” Emphasizes “what’s going to happen” and “without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” with the space bar. Start with discussing the metaphor (disease). Ask what’s going to happen? To what is Atticus referring? Ask what’s Maycomb’s usual disease? What could this be? Why would the children catch it?

What are some diseases we see in our OWN society? Discuss in Groups What are some diseases we see in our OWN society? our country the state of Texas the community of Keller our school WRITE THESE “DISEASES” ON THE WHITE BOARD

Gallery Walk Guidelines You will rotate in ascending numerical order (7 goes to 1). Wait for the cue to rotate! You must work with your group members at each station. Everyone participates! You get 3-4 minutes at each station. The directions for each task will change with the next slide.

Your group must choose a disease from the board. Pick a DISEASE Your group must choose a disease from the board. Write this disease in the middle of the white sheet of paper. Put a box around it. HAVE GROUPS CHOOSE DISEASES (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE WIPING THEM OFF THE BOARD) – PASS OUT SUPPLIES (one sheet of white paper, 2 dry erase markers, one Crayola marker per group)

On one desk, list those who are most susceptible to this disease. Task #1 On one desk, list those who are most susceptible to this disease. Write this list on ONE desk using the dry erase markers. Work together.

Task #2 On another desk, draw what this disease LOOKS like (literal or figurative). On a different desk (within that group) draw this with dry erase markers.

You must perform it to the class. Task #3 Come up with a quick skit of dialogue to show what this disease SOUNDS like. Write it on the paper. You must perform it to the class. Use the marker to write this on one part of the white paper. Call on groups to speak the dialogue in front of the class.

Task #4 Create a tableau of this disease (depiction of a scene in freeze frame – actors must be silent & motionless). Describe the scene in writing on the paper. You will display it to the class. Remind them this is a freeze-frame. Have them “perform” it first. Then they can explain it.

Task #5 Draw a horizontal line in the middle of the back of the paper. Above the line, list the reasons this disease keeps spreading. Back of the white paper, use marker

Task #6 Below the line on the back of the paper, list the ways to vaccinate yourself from this disease. Back of the white paper, use marker

Task #7 On the last available desk, write the cure (or cures) for this disease. Label this desk “Solution.” Third desk – use dry erase markers

Review the desks and paper for your group’s chosen disease. RETURN TO YOUR SEATS Review the desks and paper for your group’s chosen disease. Discuss your findings. Pass out journals while they do this.

JOURNAL WRITE To what is Harper Lee referring when she includes the disease metaphor? What is the author’s purpose for including this conversation between Atticus & Jack Finch? Erase desks & collect the white papers. Wrap up with a quick discussion.

Read chapters 18, 19, & 20 – finish for homework SSR – 20 minutes Read chapters 18, 19, & 20 – finish for homework