Tuesday, November 2 nd

 Today, I will read a given text, identify a theme, and provide support from the text by writing quotes from MDG and explaining how it aligns to a theme (6.c).

 Theme: A belief about life or human nature that the writer hopes we learn from the work.

 Think of big ideas in the text.  This means we have to know what is happening in the story and what it tells us about life or human nature.

 Brainstorm with your partner main events of the story.  How would you summarize the story thus far? Do so in 2-4 sentences.

 Rainsford, a professional hunter, is stranded on an island. He meets General Zaroff and discovers that Zaroff hunts humans because he became bored with hunting animals. Then, Rainsford begins to question hunting.

 Rainsford changes throughout the story. This is a big deal. Pay attention to who he was…  before meeting General Zaroff  during his first night with General Zaroff  after his second day with General Zaroff.

 Quote: “Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes --- the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters” (40).  Rainsford’s Thoughts: Rainsford loves hunting and does not show respect for those he hunts.

 Go to page 49 and reread from the bottom of the first column to the bottom of the second column.  What quote shows how Rainsford is changing how he thinks? Work with a partner and write it down.

 What change are we seeing in Rainsford? What does this show us?  In other words, what’s the big idea?  In other other words, what is the observation on human nature we can make?

 What did you and your partner decide it shows us?  Write down any answers you don’t have

 You will track quotes that show changes in Rainsford. Write these down under your “Theme” tab on your flip chart.

 Wednesday, November 3 rd

 Get out your notes sheet from Tuesday and summarize how Rainsford was BEFORE and DURING his time with General Zaroff on the back.

 On page 52 or 53, find a quote that shows how Rainsford has changed after meeting General Zaroff.  Write the quote down on your sheet and say why it relates to the idea of Rainsford changing.

 Look at the changes we see in Rainsford in your BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER quotes.

 What change are we seeing in Rainsford? What does this show us?  In other words, what’s the big idea?  In other other words, what is the observation on human nature we can make?

 Rainsford begins to understand an alternative point of view when he is forced out of his comfort zone.

 Empathy helps you understand another perspective

 To support themes, find quotes from the text that relate to the theme.  Yes, this means you will reread the text. Yes, you have to.