STUDY ISLAND 8.3 ELA PATHWAY TOPICS

Today’s objectives Review elements of plot & theme Analyze characters Identify settings R8.B a Character (may also be called narrator, speaker, subject of a biography): R8.B a.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate character actions, motives, dialogue, emotions/feelings, traits, and relationships among characters within fictional and literary nonfictional text. R8.B c Plot (may also be called action): R8.B c.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate elements of the plot (conflict, rising action, climax and/or resolution). R7.A Make inferences and/or draw conclusions based on information from text. R7.B d Theme: R7.B d.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate the theme of fiction or literary nonfiction.

Plot is the order of events in a narrative. Wikipedia; October 24, What is PLOT?

Plot Mountain Introduction/ Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution (Beginning) (End)

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Sylvester Duncan, a young donkey, lived with his mother and father at Acorn Road in Oatsdale. Duncan like to collect things. His favorite thing to collect was pebbles of unusual shape and color. One day, while out in the meadow, Duncan discovers a magic pebble. Each time he holds the pebble and makes a wish, the wish comes true.

“What a lucky day this is!” thought Sylvester. “From now on I can have anything I want. My father and mother, relatives, my friends, and anybody at all can have everything anybody wants!” A he was crossing Strawberry Hill, thinking of some of the many things he could with for, he was startled to see a mean, hungry lion looking right at him from behind some tall grass. If he hadn’t been so frightened, he could have made the lion disappear, or he could have wished himself safe at home with his father and mother. He could have wished for many things, but in a panic he said, “I wish I were a rock!” and he became a rock.

Since Sylvester could no longer hold the pebble in his hand and wish to be a donkey again, his wishing days were over. Sylvester's parents worried about their son throughout the year. They decide to make the best of their unhappy existence without their son, and, the following spring, planned to have a picnic. As fate would have it, their picnic took place on a rock that just happens to be the rock that used to be Sylvester.

As they are about to begin their picnic, Sylvester's father notices a unique pebble on the ground next to the rock. “What a fantastic pebble!” he exclaimed. “Sylvester would have loved this pebble.” He picked up the pebble and placed it on the rock. As his parents talked of how much they missed him, Sylvester thought, “I wish I were myself again.” In less than an instant, he was! Sylvester and his parents hugged with excitement and went home. They have nothing left to wish for-- they have all they ever wanted--each other!

Plot Mountain Introduction/ Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution (End) Sylvester finds a magic pebble. Sylvester is scared by a lion and in a panic, wishes himself to be a rock. While on a picnic at the rock, his father finds the magic pebble. Sylvester wishes to be himself and turns back into a donkey. The family hugs and goes home. They have each other again.

What is Theme? The theme (or moral) is the most important idea or message we take from a story. It may be a life lesson or explain how the author feels about life. What was the theme in “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble”?

Describing Sylvester How can we characterize Sylvester? Physical Traits: (What do we know about him? How can we describe him?) Motivations: (What are his hopes for the having the pebble? Why does he change to a rock?) Relationships: (What relationships do we see in this story? How can we describe them?) Conflicts: (What problems does Sylvester face?)

Setting Setting is where and when a story takes place. What are some of the different settings within this story?

It is TIME to show what you know!

It’s Time to Sail to Study Island! Log into your Study Island account Click your All_8 th Grade course Choose your 8.3 ELA Pathway Select a topic to work on Character Setting Plot Theme Answer a minimum of 10 questions