Charles Author Shirley Jackson

About the Author-Shirley Jackson The mother of four energetic children, Shirley Jackson once said that she wrote because “it’s the only chance I get to sit down.” Jackson grew up in San Francisco, and spent most of her free time writing rather than playing with the neighborhood children. As a writer, she is famous for two types of stories—spine- tingling tales and hilarious stories about daily life.

Kindergarten

Reading Focus Plot The events that make up the plot can usually be divided into rising action, climax, and falling action. The rising action consists of the conflicts and complications that the main character faces. The climax is the greatest point of interest, or turning point. The falling action provides resolution of the conflict. First person point of view (I, me, we) Character Traits Qualities, attitudes, and values that a character has or displays—such as dependability, intelligence, selfishness, or stubbornness. Character descriptions can include physical traits too.

Reading Focus: Plot Climax Main Conflict Rising Action Falling Action Subplot Conflict Resolution Exposition Theme Resolution Setting/Characters/ Main Conflict

Reading Focus: Main Idea Main Idea/Theme Most important point or message that the writer wants to communicate to the reader Stated directly OR implied by supporting details

Reading Focus: Character Traits Characterization/Traits A personality type, especially by emphasizing distinctive traits, such as language, mannerisms, physical makeup, etc.

Vocabulary Context Clues renounced incredulously deprived simultaneously cynically Definitions haggard swaggering raucous elaborately insolently

Vocabulary-Context Clues 1.Bill renounced eating meat and became a vegetarian. 2.Listening to their side of the story, the student incredulously smirked at their lies. 3.Deprived of his cell phone, the 8 th grader used his iPod touch to text a friend. 4.It is not safe to drive and text simultaneously, even though people still do it. 5.He elaborately spoke about his weekend to the point that the class was falling asleep.

Vocabulary Definitions Haggard: looking exhausted, unwell, unkempt; wild appearance Swaggering: very confident, bold, or arrogant manner Raucous: harsh; rough sounding; loud noise Cynically: doubtful; skeptic; jaded negativity Insolently: impolite manner; rude; disrespectful

“Charles” Vocabulary Objective: Students will create a picture dictionary for six (6) words (must do the starred words). Include the word, definition, sentence, and picture to demonstrate understanding of the key vocabulary words. renounced *incredulously deprived simultaneously *cynically haggard swaggering raucous elaborately *insolently

“Charles” 1.Partner read the story (pages ). 2.As you read, list the characteristics of Charles and Laurie on your handout and provide evidence (a quote, an action, etc., and the page number) to support the characteristics. 3.Create a plot line on your handout. 4.List the main idea/theme of the story and provide evidence (a quote, an action, etc., and the page number) to support that theme.

GATE Extension As you read: -List the behaviors of Charles -What he was doing when he had those behaviors -What did the teacher do to correct those behaviors Write a letter to his parents: -Diplomatically explain the problems Laurie is creating in class -Disciplinary steps that have been taken by you (the teacher) -Ask the parents for help on how to remedy the behaviors exhibited by Charles -Include whether or not Charles may need learning accommodations inside the classroom and/or may need to be tested for a disorder