To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Notebook
Directions: You need to obtain a notebook or “very” slim binder. Please
make three divisions: Dialectical Journal, Vocabulary, and Words of
Wisdom. Please write the title of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, on the
front of your notebook so that it will be easy to identify. Please also write
your name on the front.
Three Divisions
Dialectical Journal
Section 1
31 chapters – 1 page per chapter – using the front and back of a page in
your notebook – save about 17-18 pages for the front tab
Directions: You are to keep a two-column journal. In the left-hand
column, summarize the content of each section. In the right-hand
column, react to the story with comments and questions. Reactions may
begin:
“This reminds me of the time I. . .”
“Boo reminds me of another character described in. . .”
“If I had his problem, I would. . .”
“I wonder what would happen if. . .”
Section Read & Summary
My Reaction/Question
Vocabulary
Section 2
You will be given ten words, definitions, and page numbers, for where the
sentence containing that vocabulary word can be found, for every two
chapters. (Approximately 160 words – save space)
In the second section of your notebook, write down each word, definition,
and sentence. Please label each set of words with the chapters in which
they are found.
You will also be given some idioms and expressions from the book that you
will need to write down immediately following your vocabulary list.
You are responsible for all of this information for future tests and final
exams.
Words of Wisdom
Section 3
Harper Lee grew up in the Deep South during the Depression era. She
witnessed countless acts of racism that had a powerful impact on her.
In an effort to raise awareness of the senseless acts, she wrote a
powerful novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.
She created a young protagonist who captures the heart of the reader
through various incidents presented through the eyes of innocence.
The use of figurative language facilitates the presentation of bias, and
the wisdom of her speakers logically unifies the incidents in the plot.
Scout finds these “words of wisdom” from those around her. Your task is
to find these “words of wisdom” and create a personal connection to
each gem.
Example:
Quote: “You never really understand a person until you consider things
from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in
it.” (30)
My example:
When I was student teaching, I was assigned to a kindergarten
class. This was my second assignment and I was disappointed. I
wanted to teach older kids. This was not for me. Boy was I wrong! I
learned a valuable lesson in this little class.
One little boy, Casey, was very angry and he kept getting into
fights. One day, I sat on the bench with him and we began to talk. I
asked him why he was so angry. He told me that on his sixth birthday,
his parents told him they were getting a divorce and he would be living
in two homes from that point on. He was angry because he had no
choice. He was being shuffled between houses on a weekly basis: one
week Dad, one week Mom. People were telling him what to do at
home, at school, everywhere. I took a deep breath and asked him
what might help him to feel better. He said he wanted someone to
listen to HIM. He wanted to make some of his own choices. I didn’t
blame him. I imagined being only six years old and relying on the
adults to make things better for me; only to find out that the world I
knew was crumbling, and there was absolutely nothing I could do
about it. I began to understand his frustration and anger.
An idea popped into my head. We had five rotations everyday.
There were five groups and they each had a name. Everyday, each
group would begin in one section and work its way through all the five
sections. I asked Casey if he would like to be a floater and have the
choice of beginning in any section, each day, so long as he
completed all the sections by the end of class. His face brightened. He
asked if I could do that. I told him we would begin tomorrow. But there
was a catch. He had to slowly work through his anger, not take it out
on his classmates anymore, and see me if he thought he was going to
lose it. We had a deal, and an empowered little boy!