1. Lamb to the Slaughter
What images are created for you from this title? What scenarios can make you a “lamb to slaughter”?

2. Terminology before we begin:
Suspense: A feeling of anxiety of what will happen.
Narrator: A person who narrates something, especially a novel or poem.
Irony: A state of affairs or an event that seems contrary to what one expects
Point of View: The point from which something or someone is observed
Perspective: Whose eyes the story is told from
Omniscient: Knowing all things
Detective: A person, especially a police officer, whose occupation is to investigate and solve crimes
Alibi: A plea of being somewhere else when a crime is commited
Corpse: a dead body
Exasperated: a great irritation

3. What are the elements of a mystery?
Weapon
Suspense
Action
A problem
Alabi
Crime scene
Corpse
Detective

4. What is the difference between manslaughter and meditative murder?
Manslaughter: A murder that was not planned; without malice
Meditative Murder: A killing that was planned out; that had a motive.

5. Jot down words you do not know to look up after
Let’s read

6. In your group:
1) Draw and write out the plot diagram of the story. Start with conflict and then make the climax.
2) Do you prefer the way Roald Dahl laid the story out, or the television show?

7. What biases and stereotypes are in the story?

8. Biased or Unbiased?
“Today at city-hall, a group of parents protested against Alberta Education’s implementation of the new math curriculum”.
“Today at city-hall, a group of fist-wielding parents protested against Alberta Education’s implementation of the controversial new math curriculum”.

9. Journal:
Do you think that there are still stereotypes today for men and women like the stereotypes we see in the story?
Knowing what technological advaces that we have today, would Mary have gotten away with her crime? Why or why not?

10. Comprehension:
1) Describe Mary Malone at the beginning of the story: is she quiet, dutiful, mousy? Find a quotation to back up each adjective
2) How is her behavior different by the end of the short story?
3) What news does Patrick give to Mary?
4) What is Mary’s biggest preoccupation as she builds her alibi?
5) Why does the writer keep Mary’s tone and way of speaking the same at the beginning as the end of the story?
6) When does the author uses suspense?

11. We’ll complete questions 2 ,3 and 4 from Sightlines in groups: You have 20 minutes
ALL must contribute
1) writer
2) reader
3) timer
4) Researcher (has technology)

12. 1) Write 3 alternative titles
2) How is the title linked to the plot, theme, and characters of the story?

13. Wednesday: Punctuating Quotations
Notes:
Brad said give me my book back
Let’s go to Brazil said Fernando
Jan said that we should leave early
What do you want Zak asked
Renata said I want to dance with you

19. Assignment: Individually, complete the following:
Express the themes of the story in unique ways that is meaningful to you
Express the mood of the piece in a unique way that is meaningful to you
Describe mood through choices of language that is meaningful to you
Describe irony through choice of language that is meaningful to you
Support my findings with words from the text
Integrate visual artistry into your piece

20. Due: Wednesday, September 24
Rubric:
Did you represent the ideas and information of theme, irony and mood?
Successfully with quality and thought- 20
Improving with some quality and thought- 15
Needs improvement and quality and thought- 10

21. Irony: Situational: Something unexpected that occurs Verbal: Sarcasm
Dramatic: When the audience has information that the characters do not

22. Mood: The atmosphere/feeling created by the piece
Hint: TONE, is the author’s attitude- ex: voice is sarcastic or loving.

23. Theme/ Thematic elements
Theme: The message the author is getting across. Usually starts with “In life, often…” or “People often…”
Thematic elements: Betrayal, Evilness, Temptation, Love, Connection, Family, etc.

24. Journal:
Discuss a time when you, someone you know, or a character you know was underestimated. How did that feel? Did they prove people wriong, or succumb to others’ judgement?
Incorporate the prompt and use detail/scenarios from life.

25. Defend or condemn Mary Malone’s actions
Question 1 Rubric:
Make a structure before starting- mind map, lines, tree chart
Paragraph 1: Create an introduction- restate the situation and then your opinion
Ideas are organized, clear and concise
Paragraph 2: Ideas are supported with at least 2 pieces of evidence
Piece is revised
Paragraph 3: Conclusion sums up your point- does not introduce anything new
Sentences are complex and vocab is from the text (Maybe even a quotation from the text).
Presentation is readable