1. Collection 1- Facing Danger
Elements of Literature
7th Grade

2. Collection 1- Facing Danger Intro
Theme- Facing danger can be a frightening ordeal. Sometimes, however, danger summons qualities that we never knew we had- courage, determination, ingenuity, and compassion. The stories in this collection are grabbers- tales that keep the reader in suspense from beginning to end.
With the stories in this collection, we will analyze different aspects of plot discussed with each story, so students can emerge with an understanding of the well-plotted narrative. Attention is focused on conflict, complications, climax, suspense, and foreshadowing.

3. Collection 1- Facing Danger Intro, cont.
Literary Skills- Identify events that advance the plot, and determine how each event explains past or present actions or foreshadows future actions
Reading Skills- Analyze the structure and purpose of informational texts; retell story events

4. Elements of Literature- Plot
Plot- is what happens in a story; a series of related events
Conflict- any struggle or opposing forces
External- a struggle against another character or a force of nature
Internal- a struggle against oneself that takes place in a character’s mind
Foreshadow- clues or hints to upcoming future events in the story
4 Parts of Plot
1- Basic Situation- introduction to characters and conflict
2- Complications- series of events that take place to resolve the conflict
3- Climax- the story’s most emotional or suspenseful moment
4- Resolution- the conclusion of the story; the ending

5. Reading Skills Summarizing the Plot: Retelling
What is retelling? Telling the summary of a story in your own words.
Retelling can help you identify the elements of a plot and keep all the information about a plot straight in your mind.
Retelling will help you to cover critical points in a story, keep them in order, and connect them in a logical way.
Retelling Tips:
Start by telling the title and author of the story
Identify and explain the characters
Tell the main events, keeping them in the right order
Explain the conflict, or main problem
Explain how the story ends
Tell what you liked or didn’t like about the story
Use words like first, next, then, later, and finally to keep everything in order
Use words or phrases like but, however, or on the other hand when something happens that contradicts something that’s already happened

6. Reading Assignment Read “Duffy’s Jacket” by Bruce Coville pgs. 5-11
About the Author
Grew up in a rural area north of Syracuse, New York, by his grandparents’ dairy farm; “Duffy’s Jacket” was a joy for him to write because he wrote it in a single setting after walking in the woods with some friends; it was easy for him to write because the words seem to fly from his fingers
As you read, complete Retelling Guide to help you give a summary of the story
As you read, stop at the open-book signs throughout the story to help you think about and retell what you’ve read
After you read, you will be partnered with someone to orally retell the story and will be evaluated by the retelling checklist

7. Before you read “Rikki-tikki-tavi” by Rudyard Kipling About the Author
India, the setting of the story, is a place he knew well, found fascinating, and loved
Literary & Reading Skills
Analyze the main conflict of the plot; retell story events
Literary Focus- Conflict
Part of our real lives
All stories are build on some kind of conflict
Conflict is worked out in the series of related events called plot

8. Vocabulary Development
Immensely- enormously
Cowered- crouched and trembled in fear
Valiant- brave and determined
Consolation- comfort
Impotent- powerless

9. Vocabulary Development, cont.
Describe a time when you were immensely proud.
How might an elephant look if cowered before a mouse.
Name three people who are valiant.
If you had lost a contest that you wanted very much to win, what thoughts might provide you with consolation?
How might a weightlifter look if impotent to lift a dumbbell?
Complete Vocabulary Development Worksheet

10. Reading Assignment Read “Rikki-tikki-tavi” pgs. 15-28
As you read, complete plot diagram worksheet
After you read-
True or False
The plot of the story involves a mongoose who threatens humans.
Conflict arises from the fact that mongooses and snakes are natural enemies.
Nag and Nagaina plan to kill Rikkit because he killed their young.
The final battle occurs between Nag & Rikki.
At the climax of the story, Rikki puts himself in mortal danger by following a cobra into its hole.
Reflection
I thought this story was…
I was frightened for Rikki-tikki-tavi when…
The scene I liked best was…
What 3 conflicts does Rikki-tikki face?

11. Before you read “3 Skeleton Keys” by George G. Toudouze pgs. 40-49
About the author
He was a playwright, an essayist, and an illustrator; had a great interest in the sea
Reading & Literary Skills
Identify events that advance the plot and determine how each event creates suspense and foreshadows future actions; make predictions
Literary Focus- Suspense & Foreshadowing
Suspense- the feeling of anxious curiosity
Foreshadowing- dropping of clues that hint at might happen later in the story to intensify suspense
Reading Skills- Making Predictions
Making predictions- trying to guess what will happen next
Make predictions by looking for clues that foreshadow something that will happen, think about possible outcomes as the suspense builds, and ask yourself questions as you read

12. Vocabulary Development
Hordes- large, moving crowd
Receding- moving back
Fathom- understand
Edible- fit to be eaten
Derisive- scornful and ridiculing

13. Vocabulary Development, cont.
“Oh, no!” exclaimed the worker at Burger-Rama.” ___ of hungry students are heading this way.
“I just can’t ___ their appetites,” said the manager.
One student made a ___ remark, about the poor quality of the food. “Don’t you have anything ___ ?” he complained.
At last, all of the students were served, and the crowd began to ____.

14. Reading Assignment Read “Three Skeleton Keys” pgs. 40-49
As you read, complete Lighthouse Log worksheet
After you read, complete vocabulary worksheet

15. Before you read “Eeking Out of Life” by Mat Surman pgs. 53-54
Reading Skills
Analyze the structure and purpose of informational texts, including a newspaper article
Reading Focus- Structure and Purpose of a Newspaper Article
The purpose of a newspaper article is to give you factual information about current events
A good informational article in a newspaper answers the questions who, what, where, why, and how?

16. Before you read, cont. Reading Focus, cont.
Structure of a News Article
Headline- the catchy boldface words that tell you what the article is about
Subhead- additional boldface words in smaller type under the headline, which add details about the article
Byline- the name of the reporter and who wrote the article
Dateline- the location where the article was reported and the date when the information was reported
Lead- the sentence or paragraph that begins the news article
Tone- the choice of words and point of view that meet the interests of the newspaper’s audience. Tone often depends on the subject of the article. Some articles are light, lively, humorous, serious, or straightforward

17. Reading Assignment Read “Eeking Out of Life” pgs. 53-54
As you read, complete vocabulary development worksheet

18. Before you read “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” by Rod Sterling
About the Author
Known as man from another dimension; had great energy; loved to write; first wrote for a live ½ hour drama- Lux Video Theatre; later produced the hit television show The Twilight Zone
Literary & Reading Skills- make inferences; identify events that advance plot and determine how each event explains past or present actions
Literary Focus- Plot Complications
Complications in stories make it hard for characters to get what they want
Complications take place as soon as the characters take steps to resolve their problems or conflict

19. Before you read, cont. Reading Skills- Making Inferences
Good readers make inferences using clues the writer provides
As you read, stop at the open book signs to make inferences with the important clues the writer provides

20. Vocabulary Development, cont.
Tell us about a time you were transfixed by something on television.
Mutter a phrase that is not intelligible.
State a sentence that includes the words assent and variations.
Describe something tremendous that intimidated a child.
Demonstrate a defiant pose.
Describe an idiosyncrasy of someone you know.
Tell about something that is a menace to society.
Draw a picture of coyotes converging on their prey.
Give an explicit direction.

21. Vocabulary Development
Transfixed- very still, as if nailed to the spot
Intelligible- understandable
Assent- agreement
Intimidated- frightened with threats
Defiant- boldly resisting
Idiosyncrasy- peculiarity
Menace- danger; threat
Converging- closing in
Explicit- definite; clearly stated
Variations- differences

22. Reading Assignment
Read “The Monsters are due on Maple Street” pgs
As you read, complete plot diagram
After you read, complete vocab worksheet and questions 1-4 and 7 on page 68 and 1-3 and 5 on page 78 on the back of the vocab worksheet

23. Comparing Literature
You are about to read and compare two science fiction stories- “Zoo” by Edward Hoch and “The Ruum” by Arthur Porges
Although the 2 short stories are very different, they have interesting similarities
As you read the 2 stories, you will fill out a comparison chart to discover the similarities
Reading Skills- Comparing and Contrasting
To compare and contrast the 2 stories, you might look at the ways each story uses the elements of science fiction
When you compare, you look for ways that the things are alike
When you contrast- you look for ways that things are different
Literary Focus- Science Fiction
A kind of writing that lies somewhere realistic fiction and total fantasy

24. Comparing Literature, cont.
Elements of Science Fiction
Most science fiction stories contain some or all of the following elements:
A setting in the future, often on another planet or in a spaceship
Technology that has not yet been invented, but conforms to the rules of science
A journey through time or to a distant planet or galaxy
Imaginary characters from outer space
Realistic human reactions to fantastic situations
A surprise ending

25. Reading Assignment Read “Zoo” pgs. 85-87
After you read, complete story map
Read “The Ruum” pgs
After you read, complete story map
Fill out chart to compare and contrast the 2 science fiction short stories- be sure to include elements of science fiction to compare and contrast the 2 stories
Discuss chart as a class when finished