To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Student Resources Week of 21 April to 25 April

4/21 Agenda • Today’s Agenda – • Stem Words Unit 5 • Author Introduction – Harper Lee • Novel Introduction – To Kill a Mockingbird • Historical Context • The Scottsboro Boys • CBS Documentary • Today’s Essential Question – What makes “To Kill A Mockingbird” such an important work in American Literature? • Tomorrow’s Agenda – • Begin Reading “To Kill A Mockingbird”

4/21 Warm Up - NotesSubject Complements Notes – Subject Complements – A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject of a sentence. Example: - Jackson became a superstar (superstar renames Jackson) - The better player is Tim. (Tim identifies player) Predicate Adjective – a predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. Example: - The pizza smelled delicious. (delicious describes pizza) - Harry is always late. (Late describes Harry)

4/21 Warm Up – Predicate Nominatives • The Tigers are the team to beat. • Math and science are my best subjects. • My sister became a lawyer after years of study. • The former President remained a prominent figure after leaving office. • The specialty of the house is cheese fondue. • Judy’s plan seemed a workable one. • The understudy became an overnight success. • He is the best choice for the job. • The executive remained an officer even after her retirement. • Nero Wolfe is a famous fictional detective.

To Kill a Mockingbird – Pre Reading • View the following video: “The Sneetches” • This is the tale of how the Star-Belly Sneetches discriminate against the Plain-Belly Sneetches, excluding them from games and weenie roasts, and how Sylvester McMonkeyMcBean bilks the town out of all of its money by putting on and/or removing stars on the persons of Sneetches to the point that no one can any longer tell who’s who. • Complete a “quickwrite” in reaction to the story. • You may be reminded of the holocaust, about prejudice in general, or focus on predjudice you have witnessed or experienced. • Identify themes of the story and write them down on the sheet of paper on your desk – we will return to these themes as we explore Harper Lee’s novel • Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.

4/22 Agenda • Today’s Agenda • Read Chapters 1 & 2 of To Kill A Mockingbird • Identify Characters • Identify Setting • Identify Themes – Make connections to historical context • Introduce To Kill A Mockingbird Final Project • Tomorrow’s Agenda • Continue reading To Kill A Mockingbird • Today’s Essential Question: • How does the hierarchy of race and class affect life in the town of Maycomb?

Reading To Kill A Mockingbird • There will be a summative project associated with this novel. You will be expected to complete this assignment independently according to the parameters set forth in the assignment. You will be graded according to the rubric that you received. • You will be expected to complete your own study guide as we read. You will hand this in when we take the final assessment on the novel. • You will be expected to complete the reading responses as assigned. You will hand this in weekly. • Study guide questions will not be printed but will be posted on the website. If you miss class or do not complete the questions or any other reason you may have for not having the questions completed, it is your responsibility to get the questions from the website.

4/22 Warm Up – Predicate Adjectives • The first plan sounds ridiculous. • The color of that blouse is unbecoming. • Paul was disappointed with his strikeout. • Audrey sounded quite cheerful on the phone. • The crowd grew restless because of the long delay. • That centerpiece looks beautiful on the table. • The singer appeared nervous before the concert. • You will surely feel better after a nap. • The patient grows stronger every day. • The weather stayed sunny throughout the weekend.

To Kill A MockingbirdStudy Questions • What kind of narrator does this novel have? • Do you agree that this story will be told as a flashback? • You have been introduced to several characters in the novel so far, who are they and what is their relationship to each other? • What events does the novel trace? • How does the author arouse your curiosity and build suspense? • What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family? • What do you learn about Dill's character? • What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley. • Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill? • What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint in the novel? • Why is Scout so looking forward to starting school? • Why does Jem not want anything to do with Scout at school? Is his behaviour typical of an older child? • What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher? Can you find qualities which would make her good or not so good at her job?

Character Chart – Create and complete a chart as we read

To Kill A Mockingbird – Reflection 1 • How do writers incorporate elements of history into a work of fiction? What historical elements does the author incorporate into this novel? • Use your own technology to research a case then write a short narrative in the genre of historical fiction. This narrative should give accurate insight into the setting and events that you are reporting on.

4/23 Agenda • Today’s Agenda • Read Chapter 3 & 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird • Tomorrow’s Agenda: • Continue reading To Kill A Mockingbird • Quiz Chapters 1-4 • Today’s Essential Question: • How do Scout and Jem’s interactions with and observations of Atticus shape their views on equality?

4/23 Warm-Up – Predicate Nominatives • Hawkins remained the best player on the team. • Some people stay children throughout their lives. • The first speaker was I. • Which of those records is a classic? • A hamburger seemed the safest thing to order. • The puppies in the corner are the ones for sale. • Our state senator may soon become governor. • The special today is broiled swordfish. • The girls have remained friends for years. • Ellen appears the strongest candidate. • Florence is Albert’s youngest sister. • The result of the revolution was chaos. • The best item on the menu has always been the salmon. • The aroma in the air was clearly cinnamon. • Ramona is Rachel’s best friend.

To Kill A Mockingbird Study Questions • Who is Calpurnia? What is her place in the Finch household? • What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest about his home life? • What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter? • Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is? • Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? (In the last chapter of the novel, Scout repeats this, but she changes “skin” to “shoes” - this is probably not a mistake: Harper Lee suggests that Scout cannot clearly recall exactly what Atticus said and when, but the reader can check this!) • What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells? • What does Scout think of current fashions in education? • What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house? • Why do the children make Boo's story into a game? • What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radleys' home? • What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?

To Kill A Mockingbird – Reflection 2 • Please write a 1 Paragraph reflection on each of the following questions: • Discuss Atticus’s parenting style. What is his relationship to his children like? How does he seek to instill conscience in them? • What is Atticus’s relationship to the rest of Maycomb? What is his role in the community? • Discuss the role of family in To Kill a Mockingbird.

4/24 Agenda • Today’s Agenda • Read Chapters 5 & 6 of To Kill a Mockingbird • Tomorrow’s Agenda: • Continue reading To Kill A Mockingbird • Today’s Essential Question: • How does Boo Radley affect the plot and the themes of the novel?

4/24 Warm Up – Predicate Adjectives • The flowers smell heavenly. • I look awful in this shade of green. • Some of the cheese is moldy. • The pineapple tasted delicious. • The music sounds better from father away. • The sky became cloudy toward evening. • I felt angry after our argument. • The weather remained hot all week. • The team’s fans became more unhappy with each new setback. • The children grew tan from the summer sun. • The path is extremely treacherous. • The oatmeal seemed much too hot. • The moon was full last night.The children looked very unhappy. • The price of the couch is much too high.

Study Guide Questions • Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? • How typical is she of Maycomb's women? • What do the children think of her? • What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? • How does this compare with what Scout already believes? • Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies? • What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why? • Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows? • What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden? • Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired? • Why does Dill's explanation of Jem's state of dress almost land him in trouble?

To Kill A Mockingbird – Reflection 3 • Reread the description of Maycomb on pages 5 & 6 and find other details about Maycomb from the subsequent pages. • Write down these details • Describe the town of Maycomb – • What is it like to live in Maycomb • Is this a safe town • What might it have been like to live in Maycomb nearly 100 years ago • After considering the questions above, write two paragraphs in which you describe Maycomb and reflect on your response to what it might be like to be part of such a community.

4/25 Agenda • Today’s Agenda • Read Chapter 7 - 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird • Notebook Quiz • Monday’s Agenda: • Continue reading To Kill A Mockingbird • Quiz Chapters 4-8 • Today’s Essential Question: • What does Scout realize about society through the trial? What other events lead to her realization?

4/25 Warm Up • The twins are Kim and Karen. • The main course choices are steak, shrimp, or chicken. • That blazer is neither attractive nor affordable. • Cory will become either a lawyer or a politician. • When annoyed, the dog becomes mean and vicious. • After the long drought, the ground looks hard and dusty. • My favorite breakfast is pancakes and sausage. • The pizza will be ready and waiting in ten minutes. • Monsieur Henri is the owner and chef of that restaurant. • Without proper care, the plant may become bent or discolored. • The remark sounded rude and abrasive. • The stew tastes both rich and delicious. • Every visitor to their home feels comfortable and welcome. • The winner will surely be either Hank or Aaron. • The best math students are Ellen and Hellen.

Study Questions • When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this? • Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is? • Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer. • When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so? • Why does Scout quiz Atticus about his visit to the Radley house? How much does Atticus tell her? • What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it? • Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair? • When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize? • Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery “inspire ” him to “further glory”? Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says? • How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time? • Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas? What are these feelings and why? • Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and why might he say it? • When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What is this? • Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle Jack? What might this be? • Read the final sentence of this chapter. Explain in your own words what it means and why it might be important in the story.

To Kill A Mockingbird – Reflection 4 • Reflect on each of the following questions and write a 1 Paragraph response to each. • What kind of town is Maycomb, Alabama? How does Lee create such a vivid sense of the particular place and time in which her story is set? What details about the town, its history and its inhabitants, make the place feel real? Why is the setting important for the story? How would the story be different if it were set in New York City or North Dakota? • In what ways is the 1930s era, with WWII looming on the horizon and the Great Depression in full swing, relevant to the events of the novel? How does what was happening in Nazi Germany at the time parallel relations between blacks and whites in the American South? • On the opening page of the novel, Scout Finch says that “When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading up to [Jem’s] accident.” How old do you think Scout is when she writes the story? How is the Scout who narrates the events of the story different from the Scout who experiences them?

To Kill A Mockingbird