Chapter 4: “Once Upon a Time” Theme

Do Now: take notes on Theme Controlling idea or central insight Gives unity to a story Mostly implied A Revelation of Human Character … Some people are like… Or… says something about the nature of all human beings, their relationship to one another/universe Theme is NOT the moral of the story… that’s too simplistic Theme= what does the story reveal? Moral- what does the story teach?

“Once Upon a Time”---(20 mins) Read pp. 231-236 Mark the text as you do, using sticky notes. Go with what you know: Plot & Structure Characterization Titles

How do I figure Theme out? First determine what the central PURPOSE of the story is Then what view of life it supports/ what insight into life it reveals Ask… In what way has the main character changed? What’s the nature of the central conflict in the story? What clue does the title give us?

Stating Theme---or---Thematic Statement 1. A statement with a Subject + Predicate “Motherhood sometimes has more frustration than rewards.” 2. State it as a generalization about life (don’t mention characters or setting)

Stating theme 3. Don’t use absolutes like – every, all, always, will, must USE- some, sometimes, may 4. Has to apply to the whole story 5. There is no one way of stating a theme 6. Don’t reduce it to a cliché… if you can, you’re not thinking deeply enough

Write an introduction, Ending with theme TTAG MAP ModSummary Three elements that support/highlight/illuminate THEME!

Homework reminders You should have already begun your essay, due tomorrow at midnight. You should have already begun reading “Welding with Children”

Write a thematic statement about “Welding with Children” Do Now

Socratic Circle, Round 1 Explicate the following: “After a session with the Methodist preacher, I went home and stared at the yard, then stared at the telephone until I got the strength to call Famous Amos Salvage” (p. 209)

Socratic Circle, Round 2 Explicate this: “Welding With Children”

Introduction Write an introduction to an analysis of “Welding with Children,” using your thematic statement at the end of your thesis.

Homework Reminder: Character analysis due tonight at midnight BTW—how can you use THEME & the Introduction format in your writing?

DO Now Create an In-class study group: I need six different groups—so no more than 4 per group. When you’ve picked your partners, sit with them. DO Now

Assignment: Teach a Short story Objective: to lead your classmates to an insightful understanding of an assigned short story. Your lesson should focus on the following question: How does the author of (short story)_ use _(short story elements) to convey the central theme of the work?

Guidelines Please follow these guidelines for your lesson: All members of your group must participate You are responsible for the entire class period Your lesson should not be based solely on “teacher presentation” but should include some activity which involves active class participation. You should use the “workshop model” Your group must turn in the following typed written work: (all due Oct 17th in Turnitin.com) Lesson plan 3-5 discussion questions (other than those found in the text) 5 rigorous multiple choice questions to be used on the short story test. Your lesson will be presented by lottery Oct 20-28

Story Choices “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe (509) “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (524) “The Gilded Six-Bits” by Zora Neale Hurston (553) “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell (534) “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (526) “A & P” by John Updike (624)

Read and take notes on pp. 237-244 , Point of View, & pp Read and take notes on pp. 237-244 , Point of View, & pp. 261-269, “The Lottery” Homework

After Lunch Study Groups--Agenda Assign a group member to take notes on what you discuss. They will hand it in at the end of the class. Review your test planning calendar. What should you have done by now? Who did it/is doing it? Discuss your ideas for the lesson. Begin reading.