Learners Notebook prompts
for Unit 1 texts
to write routinely over a period of time
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
Pick a quote from “The Treasure of Lemon
Brown” that relates to the theme of Life Is Not
Fair, or hard times. Explain how the quote
relates to the theme.
Discuss how the character of Lemon Brown
represents hardship but also how he deals with
life.
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

Notice the author’s use of figurative language
(personification). How does he use the word
hunger differently in both quotes?
How do these tie into the theme Life is not Fair?
Use quotes to support your answer.
How might Richard Wright connect to the character
of Lemon Brown”? Give examples.

Choose your favorite line and copy it.

Explain why this line appeals to you.


Explain what the speaker means in the line. How
does the line relate to the metaphor of a “crystal
stair?”
How does this poem relate to the theme Life Is Not Fair?
 Pick two quotes from the story that show
examples of internal conflict in Mr. Peters and
in Leita. Write down page numbers where quotes
are found.
 Explain how each quote is an example of
internal conflict, or person vs. self.
 How does the internal conflict relate to
theme of Life is not Fair?
Learner’s Notebook
(Find at least three quotes that show different attitudes about ribbons. Look
for quotes from granddaughter and grandmother.
Stacy
Pawpaw
A theme is a lesson or the moral of the story. The end of a
fable usually states the theme.
Learner’s Notebook:
 Come up with a theme, or lesson learned, for
“Ribbons.”

Explain how the symbol of the ribbons ties into the
theme.
What is the overall theme of “Ribbons”?
How do the literary elements of setting and
character work together to support the theme?
Theme
Setting
Character
How do the cultural differences impact
relationships in the story?