1. Name: _______________________ 8/29-30 ELA 7-____ Short text: Thank You, Ma’am by Langston Hughes
Learning Objectives:
Explore the key ideas of character and what it means to have good character
Identify the elements of plot
Closely read a short story
Build vocabulary for reading and writing
Before you read
ABOUT THE STORY
“Thank You, Ma’am” tells the story of a boy who tries to steal a woman’s purse. The woman surprises him by what she does next. Like many stories by Langston Hughes, this one is about African Americans living in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City.
MAKE CONNECTIONS
When a person does something wrong, such as lying or stealing, should he or she get another chance?
Would you forgive a person who stole from you? Why or why not?

2. Evidence from the story Where did you find the evidence in the story?
Name: _______________________ 8/29-30 ELA 7-____ Short text: Thank You, Ma’am by Langston Hughes
Learning Objectives:
Explore the key ideas of character and what it means to have good character
Identify the elements of plot
Closely read a short story
Build vocabulary for reading and writing
Elements of a story
The Elements
Definition
Evidence from the story
Where did you find the evidence in the story?
(Textual Evidence)
Characters
The animals, characters, or creatures that perform the action in the story.
Page#: _______
Paragraph #: ____
Line(s): _________
Setting
The time and place that the story takes place.
Conflict
The problem or struggle that starts the action in a story.
Plot
The series of events that take place in a narrative.
Complete attached plot handout
Theme
The overall message or the central idea of the story.
What lesson did you learn from reading this story?

3. Taking it to the Next Level…H.O.T.S.
Name: _______________________ 8/29-30 ELA 7-____ Short text: Thank You, Ma’am by Langston Hughes
Learning Objectives:
Explore the key ideas of character and what it means to have good character
Identify the elements of plot
Closely read a short story and a poem
Build vocabulary for reading and writing
After you read
How do you think Roger might change after meeting Mrs. Jones, and why?
Taking it to the Next Level…H.O.T.S.
In the story, we have read about two characters, Mrs. Jones and Roger, both of whom have a problem.
Mrs. Jones has a problem.
What is it?
What are some ways that she can solve her problem?
Roger has a problem.
What options does he have to solve it?

4. Name: _______________________ 8/29-30 ELA 7-____ Short text: Thank You, Ma’am by Langston Hughes
Formative Assessment
Directions: Circle the best answer.
1. What happens when Roger tries to snatch
Mrs. Jones’s purse?
A. Two or three people catch him
B. Mrs. Jones pushes him and kicks him
C. He falls down, and Mrs. Jones grabs him
around the neck
2. Which of the following is probably true about
Roger?
A. His parents don’t take good care of him
B. He is homeless and lives on the street
C. He is really Mrs. Jones’s son
3. Why does Roger try to snatch Mrs. Jones’s
purse?
A. He is hungry
B. He can’t find a job
C. He wants to buy some stylish shoes
4. Why doesn’t Mrs. Jones call the police?
A. Roger did not really aim to steal her purse
B. She wants to help Roger change his ways
C. She is afraid of the police
5. When Mrs. Jones makes dinner, Roger sits
far away from her purse. Why?
A. Mrs. Jones shows Roger that she trusts
him, and he doesn’t want to disappoint her
B. Roger is afraid that Mrs. Jones will call the
police on him
C. Roger hopes that Mrs. Jones will give him
money, and he won’t have to steal it
Total Points Earned:
________ 4