WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS
English Grade Nine, Quarter 2, Week 5
VALUING OTHERS AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES
Learning Objective:
Analyze literature as a means of valuing other people and their various
circumstances in life.EN9LT-IIa-15:
Key Concepts
(English 9 Learner’s material 145-165)
What Life is!
In the previous lessons, you may have learned the values of others in terms of
their achievements in life. In this lesson, you will value the varied life experiences of
people may it be happy or sad, painful or challenging. Life, as we know it, has its ups
and downs.
Task 1:
A Picture of a Thousand Words
Follow the instructions given below for your initial activity.
 Carefully study the picture featuring the movie, “The Hunger Games”.
 Observe the expressions on the faces of the different characters.
Based from the picture, what emotions can be described as expressed on
the face of each of the characters of the said movie?
(Source: https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/hunger-games.jpg)
Life Lessons in Literature
In Literature, we learn lessons about others’ lives especially when
reading different literary pieces like short stories, poems or essays. And
eventually we learn to appreciate and value the varied circumstances we
can relate to.
Task 2: Words to Ponder!
Match the following words in Column A with their appropriate
meanings in Column B. Write only the letter of your answer.
Column A
1. paraphernalia
2. lottery
3. hoarding
4. defiant
5. tradition
6. literary text
7. short story
8. poetry
9. fiction
10.
plot
summary
Column B
A. a narrative text taken from the author’s own
imagination
B. imaginative and creative written work that help
to understand people, societies, events and
culture
C. a brief fictional work that can be read in one
sitting
D. a shortened version of the story’s original text
written in your own words
E. openly resistant
F. long established belief passed from one
generation to another
G.hiding a large amount of supply of something
H.a condensed and concentrated form of
literature, saying most in the fewest number of
words
I.miscellaneous articles
J.a process whose outcome or success is
governed by chance
Task 2:
A Story To Tell!
We all like stories. Stories introduces us to situations and events which we may
have or have not experienced yet. The plot summary you are about to read tells of a
fictional small town in contemporary America who holds an annual rite they call “The
Lottery.”
This short story by Shirley Jackson was first published in 1948 by The New
Yorker is one of the most famous short stories in the history of American Literature. It
has been dramatized for both radio and TV and literally analyzed for its sociological
implications.
THE LOTTERY
by Shirley Jackson
(A plot based on the short story)
The Village Gathering
The story begins on a “clear and sunny” morning of June 27. The day is
described as having the “fresh warmth of a full-summer day” with flowers in full
blossom and the grass “richly green.” The people of the village gather in the square,
between the post office and the bank, at around 10:00 o’clock to participate in the
annual lottery. Since there are only 300 people in the village, the lottery takes less
than two hours.
The children assemble first. Since school is recently over, their talk is mostly
about school---their teachers, their books and other school-related experiences.
Bobby Martin stuffs his pockets with stones and other children follow suit selecting the
“smoothest and roundest” stones. Bobby and Harry Jones and Dickie Delacroix make
a huge pile of stones in one corner of the square, guarding it against hoarding from
other boys while girls stand aside observing the antics of the boys.
Soon the men gather. And the women follow after. The menfolk stand together
and talk about their daily farming activities and challenges like planting and the rain,
and tractors and taxes. Womenfolk, on the other hand, exchange bits of gossip while
keeping an eye out for their children.
The Annual Ritual
Everyone settles down as soon as Mr. Summers arrives in the square. The
villagers feel sorry for Mr. Summers, a “round-faced, jovial man” who runs a coal
business and “who has time and energy to devote to civic activities” because of his
wife.
Mr. Summers, who is carrying a black wooden box and he apologizes to the
townspeople for being “a little late.” Mr. Graves, the postmaster, brings a three-legged
stool which he places in the center of the square so Mr. Summers can set the black
box down on it. The villagers distance themselves from the box.
Mr. Summers asks the men for help. After a brief hesitation, Mr. Martin and his
son Baxter come forward to hold the box steady while Mr. Summers stirs up the papers
inside the box.
The Original Paraphernalia and Lottery Rules
The only thing left of the original paraphernalia for the lottery is the black box
itself. It is said to have been in used even before the time of Old Man Warner, the
oldest man in town. Although the subject of replacing the box has been always talked
about, nothing is done about it and it becomes shabbier every year. It is said that “no
one likes to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box.” One
aspect that Mr. Summers iss successful in substituting the “chips of wood that has
been used for generations” with slips of paper. Mr. Summers argument is that the
town is growing and so it would be easier to fit slips of paper instead of chips of wood.
Though a lot has been forgotten or discarded about the original ritual, the rules
basically remain the same: 1) the lottery has two draws, 2) no one under the age of
sixteen is included in the lottery, 3) only the head or man of the house can draw for
the family, 4) if the husband is not around, then the wife would draw for her husband,
6) Daughters draw with their husband’s family, and 5) after drawing “keep the paper
folded in your hand without looking at it until everyone has had a turn.”
The First Draw
Mrs. Tessie Hutchinson comes in hurriedly into the square just as Mr. Summers
is about to begin. She says “ she forgets what day it is.” Mrs. Delacroix, who iss
standing next to her, tells her that she’s arrived “just in time.”
Mrs. Hutchinson goes over to where her husband and children are standing as
villagers notices her tardiness in good humor.
Mr. Summers soberly starts the first draw by confirming who is not around for
the lottery and who would draw for each of the family.
Then Mr. Summers gives last minute instructions, to which the villagers give
only half their attention as they are all familiar with it. He calls out names in
alphabetical order and each takes a turn to pick out a slip of paper from the box.
While the first draw is happening, Mrs. Delacroix tells Mrs. Graves how time
seems short between lotteries. Tessie Hutchinson cheers for her husband Bill when
their family is called.
Mr. Adams tells Old Man Warner that the north village is talking about giving up
the lottery and that some villages have already given up the lottery altogether. Old
Man Warner scoffs and tell him that they are a “pack of crazy fools” and brings up the
saying about “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” He insists that “there’s always
been a lottery” and that having none could cause “living in caves” and no one is
wanting to work anymore.
Mr. Summers calls out the last family name, “Zanini.” After a momentary pause,
the villagers open their slips of paper and wonders who open the paper with the black
dot at the center. Everyone then realizes that the Hutchinson’s were the ones to draw
it.
The Second Draw
As people turn to look at the Hutchinsons Tessie Hutchinson shouts that Bill
isn’t given enough time to take the paper he wants. She insists that it issn’t fair. Mrs.
Delacroix points out how they all took the same chance and Bill Hutchinson tells his
wife to shut up.
When Mr. Hutchinson asks if there are any other Hutchinson household, Tessie
yells that Don and Eva should also be made to take their chance. However, Mr.
Summers gently reprimands
husband’s family.”
and reminds her that “daughters draw with their
Tessie keeps insisting that the draw isn’t fair but Bill resigns and tells everyone
that he’s got no other family except his wife, Tessie, and his three kids, Bill Jr., Nancy
and little Dave.
Mr. Summers then directs Mr. Graves to get the Hutchinson’s tickets and put
these back into the box.
Tessie adamantly insists to all those around her that “it isn’t fair!” but the
villagers ignore her cries.
Mr. Summers facilitates the second draw. He asks Mr. Harry Graves, to help
little Dave reach into the box. Mr. Graves laughs when Davy draws several and tells
the little boy to draw only one. After little Dave, Nancy draws a paper from the box.
By the time it is Tessie’s turn, she is subdued but still defiant. Bill draws the last slip
of paper.
Around them, some girls whisper that they hope Nancy does not draw the paper
with the black dot.
Old Man Warner complains how people “ain’t the way they used to be” before
Mr. Summers gives the signal to the Hutchinson’s to open their respective papers. Mr.
Summers directs Mr. Graves to help Davy open little Dave’s and after opening it he
holds up a blank slip of paper. Nancy and Bill Jr. open theirs at the same time and
happily show everyone their blank tickets. Bill unfolds his and holds up a blank paper.
The crowd stirs as soon as they realize that Tessie has the slip of paper with
the black dot.
The Sacrifice
Mr. Summers asks Tessie to open her paper but she refuses. Bill forces the
paper out of her hand and shows the incriminating paper to the crowd. Mr. Summers
tells the crowd that they should finish quickly.
And though the villagers have forgotten much about the ritual, they remember
the use of stones. Stones are all around them, ready to be used. Mrs. Delacroix picks
up a stone so large she has to pick it off the ground with both hands. She tells Mrs.
Dunbar to hurry up.
The children who earlier make piles of stones armed themselves, too.
Someone also gives little Davy some pebbles.
Tessie Hutchinson cowers in the center of a cleared space. She holds out her
hands desperately as villagers moves in. While she shouts “It isn’t fair!” a stone hits
the side of her head and blood gushes out. Old Man Warner encourages everyone to
hurry up and the villagers throw stones at her.
The story ends with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right!”
(A Plot Summary by IPJ H. Campomanes, Valencia NHS)
Comprehension Check
Answer the following questions in your activity notebook.
1. What does the lottery say about tradition?
2. Engage in an honest reflection, would you agree in the lottery because it is a
town tradition? Why? Why not?
3. Cite an instance in your journey in life where you have made a difficult decision.
a. What did you choose to do?
b. Were you happy or satisfied with your choice?
4. The Filipino culture has many beliefs and tradition. Choose one or two which
you think are no longer applicable today. And why do you think these should
be discarded?
Task 3.
Poetic Justice
“Death, Not Be Proud” is a poem by John Donne which also talks about death.
Read and analyze how the persona views death.
Death, Be Not Proud
by; John Donne
1
2
3
4
5
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
6
7
8
9
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
10
11
12
13
14
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Source: (A Journey Through Anglo-American Literature, p. 162)’
downloaded from
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173363
Comprehension Check:
1. To whom is the poem was addressed to?
2. Why did the poet call death a slave? Which lines support your claim?
3. Was the poet worried at the thought of his mortality in the poem?
4. What is the meaning of eternity in “Death, Not Proud”?
5. What are the two things that death is being compared to in the poem?
Task 4. Learn and Apply!
On a short bond paper, write two paragraphs about a friend, a neighbour, a
relative or anybody who experienced lost due to death of a loved-one. Then from
his/her experience, you have valued it most because your own life has been touched
at the same time.
Use the rubrics given below to guide you in developing your ideas into a
paragraph.
Point
Value
Main idea
Supportin
g
Sentences
Organizati
on
of
ideas
Style
in
Writing
Grammar
5 points
3 points
2 points
1 point
Interesting, original
topic
sentence,
reflecting
thought
and insight; focused
on one interesting
main idea.
Interesting, concrete
and
descriptive
examples and details
with
explanations
that relate to the
topic.
Thoughtful, logical
progression
of
supporting
examples;
Mature
transitions between
ideas.
Appropriate
tone,
distinctive
voice;
pleasing variety in
sentence structure;
Vivid diction, precise
word choices.
Clearly
stated
topic sentence
presents one
main
idea.
Acceptable
topic sentence
presents one
idea.
Missing, invalid, or
inappropriate
topic
sentence; main idea
is
missing.
Examples
and
details relate to
the topic and
some
explanation
is
included.
Details
are
arranged in a
logical
progression;
appropriate
transitions.
Appropriate
tone;
Clear
sentences with
varied
structures;
Effective diction.
Sufficient
number
of
examples and
details
that
relate to the
topic.
Acceptable
arrangement
of examples;
transitions
may be weak.
Insufficient, vague, or
undeveloped
examples.
Inconsistent
or
Inappropriate tone;
Awkward, unclear, or
incomplete
sentences;
Bland
diction, poor word
choice.
Consistent standard
English
usage,
spelling,
and
punctuation.
No
errors.
Some errors, but
none major, in
usage, spelling,
or punctuation.
(1-2)
Acceptable
tone;
some
variety
in
sentence
structures;
Adequate dict
ion and word
choices.
A few errors in
usage,
spelling,
or
punctuation
(3-4)
No
discernible
pattern
of
organization;
Unrelated details; no
transitions.
Distracting errors in
usage, spelling, or
punctuation
Task 5. Three in One!
Copy the Venn Diagram below and use it to compare and contrast
the views about death and sacrifice presented in at least two (2) of the three
(3) literary selections.
The
Lottery
Death,
Be Not Proud
ANSWER KEY
The
Hunger
Games
What Life is!
Task 1 : A Picture of a Thousand Words
Possible Emotions: challenged, determined, angry, sad
What’s In
Task 2 : Words to Ponder
1. I
3. G
5. F
7. C
9. A
2. J
4. E
6. B
8. H
10. D
What It Is
Task 2 : A Story to Tell (Comprehension Check)
1. The lines between right and wrong oftentimes blur because of tradition.
There are traditional practices that become accepted as being morally
right even though it would literally cost lives. (Answers may also vary)
2. Answers vary
3. Answers vary
Answers vary
Task 3 : Poetic Justice (Comprehension Check)
1. The poem is addressed to death (personified as someone)
2. Because death holds no power over man as
a. death can be brought about by fate, chance, kings, desperate
men, poison, war, sickness, poppy (drugs) or charms (lines 9-11)
b. death is the gateway to eternal life (afterlife) where there is no
more death
3. No, he believes that there is still life after death
4. Life does not end in death. Rather it is the first step to eternal life
or what is known as the “afterlife”, “heaven” or “paradise”
5. Rest and sleep
Task 5. Three In One
The
Lottery



Annual ritual do not have much
pomp and is simply done by
drawing lots
“Winners” price is death by stoning
Sacrifice is needed for bountiful
harvest
 Need for human
sacrifice
 “lottery”
 Annual ritual is
through “games”
 Death should
where
not be feared
 Death is brought
“champions” fight
about through the
to the death
actions of men
 Winners do not
die, rather they
The are rewarded
Death,
Hunger
Be Not Proud
Games
*Answers may vary and students may add valid points.
REFERENCES:
BOOKS
Almonte, et al. (2014). A Journey Through Anglo-American Literature Grade
9. Philippines, Department of Education.
Gorgon, et al. (2007).
Publications, Inc.
ONLINE
English Expressways Third Year. Quezon City. SD
Death,
Not
Be
Proud.
Retrieved
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173363
https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/hungergames.jpg
from
12
Author:
Hinsellmen B. Sacro
School/Station: Requina Central Elementary School
Division:
Bislig City Division
email address: hinsellmen.sacro@deped.gov.ph