Collection 1- Facing Danger Elements of Literature 7th Grade

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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 ____.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Reading Assignment Read “The Monsters are due on Maple Street” pgs. 61- 76 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

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

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

Reading Assignment Read “Zoo” pgs. 85-87 After you read, complete story map Read “The Ruum” pgs. 89-105 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