1. Langston Hughes

2. Before Reading: Connect to Your Life  On the next available page in your literature notebook, add the title “Thank You, Ma’am.” Then read the quote and answer the questions below in complete sentences. (3-5 sentences)  An African proverb says, “It takes two parents to produce a child, but it takes an entire village to raise a child.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

3. Before Reading: Build Background  Read the Build Background section on page 29 in your literature book.  In your notebook, record at least two important details about the setting, Harlem, that you feel may affect events in the story.  Langston Hughes was from Harlem. Why do you think he chose to set the story in his hometown? (1-2 sentences)

4. Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary  Synonyms: Words that have the same or nearly the same meaning. Lists of synonyms can be found in a thesaurus.  Choosing synonyms: Not all synonyms are appropriate for a particular sentence. The best way to choose a synonym is to substitute the work in the sentence to see if it makes sense.

5. Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary  Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the underlined words. He made himself presentable by combing his hair and washing his face. ○ (suitable, tidy, decent) The boy was frail and did not have the strength to pull away from Mrs. Jones. ○ (weak, brittle, short-lived) Her barren front steps gave the house a lonely look. ○ (empty, dull, unprofitable) Roger didn’t want Mrs. Jones to mistrust him any longer. ○ (suspect, discredit, doubt)

6. Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary Barren Frail Mistrust presentable suede

7. During Reading: Understand Types of Conflict  Plot is set in motion by a central conflict.  Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. External Conflict: a character’s struggle against an outside force ○ Character vs. Character ○ Character vs. Nature ○ Character vs. Society Internal Conflict: a character’s struggle within him or herself

8. During Reading: Understanding Types of Conflict  In your literature notebook, label the next available page: Conflicts in “Thank You, Ma’am”  As we read record examples of conflict and label the type of conflict. Example: ○ Mrs. Jones vs. Roger= character v. character  Be prepared to share this information with your partner and with the class.

9. After Reading: Understanding Cause and Effect

10.  Event: No paper in the classroom CauseEffect Students didn’t bring paper to class. They couldn’t do writing assignments. Someone took all the paper.Students had to borrow paper from another class. The teacher accidentally threw all of the paper away. Students couldn’t take tests.

11. After Reading: Understanding Cause and Effect  Event: The classroom is noisy. CauseEffect

12. After Reading: Understanding Cause and Effect CauseEffect Flat tire on a car.   Bubble gum stuck to shoe Ice cream melted in bowl.   Dog barked loudly for hours.   