TKAM

Essential Questions //How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?// //How does the use of figurative language and rhetorical devices work to create author purpose?// //How do authors use fiction to fight injustice?//

Central Themes A lack of empathy and compassion often leads to prejudice and intolerance. Integrity is often the catalyst for personal and cultural growth.

2014

We will be reading the first part of the book, chapters 1-11, together. While we are reading, you will be keeping a Chapter Focus log and character chart (download below if you have lost yours). We will then move into independent (or collaborative if you so choose) work for the remainder of the book.

 

Self-Selected Journey through Maycomb County

** Objective ** // To identify and analyze what cultural factors contribute to prejudice and human rights violations. //

 **I. Comprehension Activities** While reading the novel, you are responsible for choosing two of the following activities to complete with each assigned chapter. The first activity you choose will be the comprehension activity you complete for Part One of the book (chapters 1-11); the second activity will be for Part Two (chapters 12-31). For these, you may choose to work independently or collaboratively. If you choose to work collaboratively, you need to choose a comprehension activity from the collaborative list.

__Independently:__ __Collaboratively:__
 * Options** (//10 points each//)
 * 2-paragraph summaries
 * character journal entry (paper, electronic)
 * daily quizzes - choose 2 questions
 * character chart
 * map of the neighborhood/setting
 * literary element chart
 * study guide
 * study guide
 * reading logs (I noticed, I wondered, what if)

 **II. Block Summative Assignments** At two points in the novel, you will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of the themes and writing of the novel. At each designated point, you will choose an activity to complete independently.

The first Block Summative Assignment will occur after finishing Part One (chapter 11); the second will occur after chapter 21.

__BSA I options:__
 * Options** (//40 points possible, each//)
 * summary podcast with pictures
 * Finch family tree
 * create a model of the knothole that explains what each symbol means
 * write an analytical essay focusing on how Lee creates theme
 * Write a reflection essay that connects a current event article to a theme or event in the novel.

 __BSA II options:__  **III. Culminating Activity** After finishing the novel, in addition to taking an independent exam, you will choose one Culminating Activity to demonstrate your understanding of the objective of the unit and the themes of the novel. After completing the activity, you will present it to your peers for a final grade.
 * dramatic reading of Atticus’s closing argument with pictures (podcast)
 * summary podcast with pictures
 * write an analytical essay focusing on how Lee creates theme
 * Write a reflection essay that connects a current event article to a theme in the novel.
 * Design new book cover

__Independently: __ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__Collaboratively:__
 * Options** (//100 points possible//)
 * write an editorial to the newspaper about why it’s important to read TKAM in order to understand why prejudices exist and must be fought and mail it to them
 * create a cartoon version of the most important thematic scene
 * create and record a newscast about the events of the book that includes current news items
 * Write a collection of biopoems for the main characters of the book
 * identify a current issue which you think needs a modern-day Atticus Finch. As a group, develop a plan for how you think the issue can be addressed and/or combated. Create and deliver a presentation that outlines the plan and gives a clear call to action to your audience.
 * Create a study site for future students that will help them navigate the novel by providing links to sites that would help them understand themes, author biography, and historical context, and providing questions to help guide their focus during reading,

<span style="background-color: #e6b5b5; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Study Guide As we read the novel, we will be completing a study guide. If you lose the one given to you in class, please download a copy below:



__ Chapter 20 Podcast __ media type="file" key="TKAM Ch. 20.m4a" width="300" height="300"

<span style="background-color: #e6b5b5; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Pre-Reading, During Reading, and Post-Reading Activity: Study Site

**Objective**: to create an online study page about the novel for next year’s juniors. Exemplar page //In order to create your page, you need to go to your wiki page and add a new page titled "To Kill a Mockingbird." After you create the page, you need to copy the url from the address bar and paste it into the discussion on this page titled "TKAM wiki links."//

__**Requirements:**__
 * __**Author Bio Sketch**__ - research the novelist, Nelle Harper Lee, and compose a brief summary (2-3 paragraphs) of the important and interesting components of her life. You also need a minimum of one picture and links to the sites where you got your information.
 * __**Historical Context Surveys**__- research the historical contexts of both when and where the novel is set (Alabama, 1933-1937) and when Lee wrote the novel (1950s). What was going on in the world during those times that would be important to the plot and themes of the novel. You need to present the information in a visually appealing way (bulleted list, timeline, etc) with multiple pictures to illustrate the issues going on during these time periods. You also need to have links to the sites where you find your information. Suggested keyword searches:
 * Jim Crow Laws
 * Great Depression
 * Adolph Hitler and the Holocaust
 * Civil Rights Movement
 * **__Character Illustrations__**- as you read the novel, maintain a character chart with each of the character’s names and a description of both their physical nature AND their personalities. Present the descriptions in a clear way with as much detail as possible to make it understandable to your audience. After you finish the novel, think of a song OR a character from a television show or movie for each of the following characters you think best represents their personalities and explain why you think that. You may wish to link the characters' names to sites that further elaborate.
 * Scout Finch
 * Jem Finch
 * Atticus Finch
 * Dill Harris
 * Tom Robinson
 * Mayella Ewell
 * Bob Ewell
 * Aunt Alexandra
 * Calpurnia
 * __**Dominant Element Analysis**__- as you read the novel, think about the elements listed below and search for them. Once you find examples of them, list them on the page (cite the page numbers from where you found them!) and explain what they are. After you finish the novel, explain how the elements relate to the themes.
 * Symbolism (minimum of 8 examples)
 * Imagery (minimum of 5 examples - hint: focus on important scenes)
 * Point of view (1st person flashback)
 * Irony (minimum of 3 examples)