1. Determining Central Ideas in “The Help”
What are they?
How do they connect to real-life situations or events?

2. Standards Common Core State Standards
RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. 
Illinois Learning Standards
1.C.3b Interpret and analyze entire narrative text using story elements, point of view and theme.
1.C.3d Summarize and make generalizations from content and relate them to the purpose of the material.

3. Objective I will accurately determine the central ideas of Chapter 7.
I will compare the central ideas to the experiences of African Americans during the mid-1900’s.

4. Why should I learn this?
To give me, as the reader, an added level of appreciation for the story.
To get a deeper understanding of the novel as a whole.

5. Lesson Timeline Intro (3 minutes) Summarize Chapter 7 (5 minutes)
Determine Central Ideas (27 minutes)
Exit Slip (10 minutes)

6. Summarize Chapter 7 Discuss the following with your group:
Main Characters
Setting
Plot

7. How can I determine the central ideas?
Think about the events that happened in the chapter.
Ask questions about each event.
What does the event show you?
How does is relate to the experiences of African Americans during the mid-1900’s?

8. Central Ideas for Chapter 7
Event
Questions
Answers
Central Idea
Aibileen is suffering through the anniversary of her son’s death (pp ).
Why does she pretend to be sick?
Aibileen does not have the right to grieve. She would not be able to leave work for being “sad” about her son’s death.
There was no regard for how blacks felt at that time. They were not seen as equal to whites.

9. Central Ideas for Chapter 7
Event
Questions
Answers
Central Idea
Robert is viciously attacked for using a “white bathroom” (p.117).
Why did he get attacked for using the bathroom?
How did the white women respond to his attack?
Why don’t the maids express their outrage?
He was black and he is only suppose to use bathrooms for black people.
The white women did not discuss it, like it was no big deal.
The maids might be afraid of getting hurt or killed for saying something.

10. Central Ideas for Chapter 7
In pairs, fill-out the graphic organizer that you have been provided with.
REMEMBER!
Contribute equally to the discussion.
Have one person write per pair.
Participation will be GRADED.

11. Exit Slip
Independently, identify any major event that we have read thus far.
Fill-in the graphic organizer.
Event
Questions
Answers
Central Idea