By: Kristyn McArdle and Katelynn Dopp

Background Information  Unit: Young Adult Fiction Novels and Stories  Grade Level: 9 th  Time allotted for the lesson: 1 class period  Objectives: 1.Students will use observation and prediction skills after viewing the covers of the novel to asses what the novel may be about without reading any of the text. 2.Students will read and discuss the short prologue of the novel, then they will define and analyze the important parts of the passage. This activity will be led by the instructor.

Common Core State Standards  Common Core State Standards: 1. RI Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose 2. W Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. 3. L Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. 4. SL Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views and understanding and make new connections in light of the evidence and reasoning presented.

Introductory Activity Dear Dr. Fujiyana, By now, you have probably heard that I’m dead. This means I won’t be attending this year’s regional science fair, which is a great disappointment to me as I’m sure it also is for you. At the time I died, I felt I was starting to make real progress with those earthworms. I really enjoyed your class and continue to follow along from the place where I’m now living I now find myself. Dissecting the pig looked pretty interesting, and I thought I might try it. Unfortunately, there aren’t any dead pigs here for me to dissect. I was disappointed not to see you at the funeral as you were my favorite teacher, even including middle and elementary school. Not to give you a hard time or anything, Dr. F Yours, Elizabeth Marie Hall, 5 th Period Biology How can fifteen-year-old Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?

Prologue Worksheet Point of View- noun the position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters Personification- noun the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure. Prologue- noun a preliminary discourse; a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem, or novel.

Prologue Activity

Homework Write a one page story, or rewrite an event from the point of view of an animal. Papers must be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, and double spaced.

Works Cited Dictionary.com. "Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov Zevin, Gabrielle. "Elsewhere - Summary - Book Drum." Book Drum. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov