1. A CHRISTMAS CAROL Lesson 1: Introduction

2. Lesson Objectives  At the end of this lesson we know who Charles Dickens was, and what life was like in England during his lifetime.

3. Who is Dickens?  What do you know about Charles Dickens?

4. A Brief History on Charles Dickens  Please click here to watch a clip about Charles Dickens.here

5. Life in Dickensian England  What do you suppose life was like for the average child during Charles Dickens lifetime?  How would things be different from our lives now?

6. Terminology:  Stave: Now, it is known as musical term to describe a set of lines in musical notation.  However, it USED to mean the verse or stanza of a song.  Since he titled his book “A Christmas Carol,” Dickens decided his chapters would be called staves.

7. Terminology:  Debtor’s Prison: People who could not pay their debts were sent to prison. Often, if they did not have family members who could bring them food and clothing/blankets, they would starve or freeze to death.

8. Terminology:  Bedlam: The name of an institution for the mentally insane in London during the 1800’s. It became famous for its cruel and inhumane treatment towards its patients. The word “bedlam” has come to mean uproar or chaos as a result.

9. A Christmas Carol  What do you know about the story?

10. What’s in a name? What has the name ‘Scrooge’ become associated with, since Dickens created the character? What does this tell us about the importance of the story we are about to read?

11. Vocabulary to Know:  Reading A Christmas Carol is an excellent opportunity to learn ACT vocabulary. Pay attention to these words as you read. We will be playing with them on Friday in a variety of activities: Stave 1:Stave 2: UnhallowedIntimationReclamationCorroborate EntreatyOminousExpendPillaged ImproprietyCausticTumultConducive MultitudeTremulousRecumbentLaden ResoluteImploreCapaciousDecanter CovetousTrifleLoathAspiration ReplenishDeftly CongealBrigands MisanthropicLustrous SolitaryLatent

12. Independent Reading Assignment: Staves 1 & 2  Complete your guided reading questions independently.  Questions are due on Monday, December 7 th for a 100-point grade.