You're back from vacation, facing some of the problems that you'd already solved last semester. You're teaching a different level, and may even have a new AP. The kids are restless, not happy to be in class. Sometimes the adjustment takes two days, sometimes more. It always took two weeks before my mind and body adjusted.
So here's a goodie...a practical and highly engaging lesson opener. You'll reap the rewards from this technique throughout the semester. There are multiple applications including use in teaching the novel and dramatizations.
Point of View
The point of view lesson enables students to become part of the story. In the process, they're forced to translate it into their own words, and achieve better understanding. This writing technique can be used to help illuminate themes, character's motivations and feelings.
The sample dialogue that follows is an example of prewriting. It starts the flow of ideas in a simplified manner.
Remember the story of the three little pigs. Rather than telling it through the eyes of a third person, observer or narrator, let's look at the story from another point of view. Write an imaginary dialogue between you and another character in the story, for example the wolf. Ask him questions. Try to find out as much as you can about his problem with the three little pigs. How does he feel about what happened?
Maybe the dialogue would start something like...
Me: Where did you get enough to blow those houses down?
Wolf: I work out at the gym.
Me: Why did you do it anyway?
Wolf: What's the difference? They were insured---and I'll bet premiums on
wood and straw houses cost plenty. Never mind huff and puff; all I did
was sneeze and they blew away.
Ask the class to write a dialogue and then select students to read aloud. (10 minutes)
More to come--------------
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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