1. “THE COLD EQUATIONS” Mr. Verlin South Philadelphia High School
April and May 1-6, 2015
“THE COLD EQUATIONS”

2. Preliminaries
Define what reputation is. How is it different from character?

3. Objectives:
The students will be able to define conflict and identify the central conflict in the story “The Cold Equations”.
The students will be able to evaluate whether Barton handles it effectively in the story.

4. Focus Lesson: “The Cold…”
Conflict
Internal
External
Pre-reading
Prediction from title of story: uncompromising nature of equations measuring physical phenomena
Hard choices: conflicting responsibilities between 2 opposing people (groups)

5. Focus Lesson: “The Cold…”
Reading (“The Cold Equations”)
Setting: where and when a story takes place
Conflict: consequences of stowaway’s presence on EDS
Character: Stowaway’s situational awareness (consequences)
Conflict: Barton’s dilemma
Post-reading
Wrap-up: evaluation of Barton’s character