Little BIG Books
MONDAY 10/1/2007
Friday’s Homework:
Section A: Queenie Assignment; Read to end of Chapter 6
Section D: Read Chapters 5&6
Materials Needed: Buried Onions Books; Dialectical Journal handout
1. Do Now (QUIZ) 5 min (10 points):
For Group A
a. Why do you think Eddie told Lupe about what his little brother Samuel
was doing?
b. Do you think Lupe’s response was appropriate? Why or why not?
c. Who did Eddie find waiting in the hospital with Jose?
d. What does Coach do to help Eddie? What does he encourage Eddie
to do?
e. What happens to Eddie at the end of chapter six? Why do you think it
happened?
For Group D
a. Who is Queenie?
b. What questionable thing does Eddie do that relates to Queenie?
c. Why do you think Eddie told Lupe about what his little brother Samuel
was doing?
d. Do you think Lupe’s response was appropriate? Why or why not?
e. What does Coach do to help Eddie? What does he encourage Eddie
to do?
**COLLECT QUIZZES FOR GRADING** SKIP QUEENIE ASSIGNMENT FOR D – 25 pts
HOUSEKEEPING: Hand back weekly point sheets. Students should keep
assignments but I will keep their sheets in a binder.
***Take attendance – SALESFORCE
Activity #1: Dialectical Journal (20): Ultimate Onion Guide
Introduce Dialectical Journal format (we’ve done it before… now we are
focusing on a particular literary element – this Onion metaphor)
Model first 2 on the board with students, then set them free to work
individually til end of period
HOMEWORK: Complete Chap 6 if not finished already
(Hand out books!) Complete Ultimate Guide for chaps 1-6 – due TUES
TO HAND IN AT THE END OF CLASS:
 Last week’s point sheet (T keeps these)
 Today’s point sheet
Name _________________________
Buried Onions – Chaps 1-6
Section _______________
October 1st, 2007
The Ultimate Guide to Eddie & the Onions
Chapter 1: Quote referring to onions on pg ______2_________
"I had a theory about those vapors, which were not released by the sun's heat but by
a huge onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry. Tears leapt from our
eyelashes and stained our faces."
What’s going on in the story at this point?
Eddie is setting the scene – telling us about his neighborhood.
What is Eddie trying to say?
Eddie is trying to say that he is surrounded by sadness. He tells himself there
must be something powerful that makes the people in his environment this way.
This couldn’t just be coincidence… When he refers to the tears ‘staining’ their
faces, he gives us the idea that they never go away, like stains never go away.
Chapter 2: Quote referring to onions on pg _____22_______
“While I was… working… I discovered an onionlike bulb, maybe the source of all
our weeping. I examined the bulb and knew it wasn’t an onion, but I laughed to
myself and said “Mr. Onion, you’re going to die.” I slashed the bulb in two and it
bled clear tears. I sniffed it. It didn’t give off an onion smell, just an earthy vapor
that reminded me of work and nothing more.”
What’s going on in the story?
In this quote Eddie is feeling…
The fact that Eddie slashes the bulb shows….
The bulb didn’t give off an onion smell because…
Chapter 2: Quote referring to onions on pg ______30__________
“
What’s going on in the story?
In this quote …
Chapter 3: Quote referring to onions on pg _____40___________
“
What’s going on in the story?
In this quote …
Chapter 4: Quote referring to onions on pg ________62________
“I need money, man. I got onions , and my family is hungry”
In this quote,
The person talking is….
The onions represent…
Chapter 5: Quote referring to onions on pg _______72_________
“The homies cussed at Coach and ran across the lawn toward the parking lot.
They stopped and gave us the finger. They were like vapors on the black
asphalt. ‘Little punks,’ Coach said, I don’t know if they’re going to stay
alive the way they act.
In this quote…
Eddie compares the homies to vapors on the black asphalt. The
homies are…
He compares them to vapors because….
Chapter 6: Quote referring to onions on pg ________103_______
“I felt like I was getting somewhere and then I felt something under my shoe
like a baseball. I got out of the hole and, dropping to my knees, I clawed it
out. It was a bulb of some kind, onionlike. I peeled off a sheet of its skin and
sniffed it. It smelled only of earth”
This is the second time that Eddie finds an onionlike bulb in Mr. Stiles’
yard. The first time, it represented…
But this time, it’s different. Just after he finds this bulb….
In this case, the onionlike bulb represents…
Little BIG Books
TUESDAY 9/25/2007
1. Do Now (15): Quiz - Grammar issues pulled from student work
Go over answers on board then collect papers. Students must make all
corrections to get full credit (½ pt each)
HOUSEKEEPING : Hand back weekly point sheets
Check for HW
Take attendance – send to room 115B/SALESFORCE


Activity #1 Review the Onion sheet (30 min):
Exit Ticket (5) – Why does Eddie constantly recall the image of the buried
onion?
HOMEWORK: Complete Chapter 7 (Read p. 105 to p. 120)
TO HAND IN AT THE END OF CLASS:



Today's point sheet
Homework – Ultimate Onion guide 1-6
Exit ticket
Name _________________________
Buried Onions – Chaps 1-6
Section _______________
October 2nd, 2007
Common Grammar Mistakes
All of the following sentences were drawn from student work.
Underline the mistakes & make corrections where necessary.
Rewrite if you think the sentence needs it!
1. Jose stabbing was a tragity because he was such a good person.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Eddie know that it is partially his fault.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Everyone in the story that trys to stay on a straight path get’s hurt or killed.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. The top three things that makes Eddie upset is…
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Eddie look up too Jose and the Coach.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Every time someone trys to move ahead, something get’s in there way
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. When Eddie went to Mr. Stiles’ house he get’s arrested.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. Mr. Stiles think’s that Eddie stoled the red truck, and Eddie think’s that
Angel did it.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. When Eddie is on the phone, Jose got stabbed.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
10. Eddie shouldn’t’ve stopped at his house because he know he live in a
bad neighborhood and its not his car.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Little BIG Books
WEDNESDAY 10/3/2007
Materials Needed: Do Now (chart paper);
Do Now/Activity 1 (20): On Board – students hand in for grade
1. What happens when Eddie goes to the recruiter? (chap 6)
2. What was the real reason Mr. Stiles turned Eddie in to the cops? Would
you have done what Mr. Stiles did?
3. What does Eddie find when he returns home from the police station?
4. How does Eddie now feel about Mr. Stiles?
5. Who comes to take Eddie fishing?
Discuss Do Now Qs after collecting the quiz
Activity 1- Cubing
HOUSEKEEPING: Hand back weekly point sheets
Take attendance – send to room 115B
Students work in groups of 3 to make cubes & complete activities.
HOMEWORK: Read Chapter 8 (pgs 121-139)
GROUP D – READ BOTH CHAPS 8 & 9!!
TO HAND IN AT THE END OF CLASS:
 Today’s point sheet
 Today’s in-class assignment
Name ________________________________
Little BIG Books
Section _____________
Wednesday, 10/3/07
CUBING ACTIVITY
Describe COACH:
Use textual evidence to write
2 paragraphs describing him.
* Why does Eddie look up to
him?
* What is his history?
Integrate at least 3 quotes
Cubing
Template
Dice
Compare
Eddie & Jose:
* Their personalities
* Their lifestyles
* What they are doing with
their lives
Write a paragraph that
includes at least 4 integrated
quotes.
Associate
Choose any friendship or
relationship you have read
about in the book so far.
Write a paragraph comparing
it to one you are in or have
seen. Integrate at least 3
quotes from the text
Argue for/Against:
Eddie’s options for the
future: Discuss at least 3
options for Eddie right now
& state what you think he
should do and why. Include
at least 3 integrated quotes.
Analyze
Name major conflicts in the
story. Consider: Character
vs:
* Other Characters
* Self
* Society
* Nature
Describe one conflict for
each category
Analyze II
Consider the use of the
Onion metaphor.
Write 2 paragraphs
describing how Gary Soto
uses the image to develop a
theme in the story.
Cubing Activity: Buried Onions
Use this sheet to fill in the answers to your 3 questions.
Name______________________________
Activity 1 ________________________________
Section ___________________
Activity 2 _______________________________
Activity 3 ____________________________________
Little BIG Books
THURSDAY, 10/4/2007
Materials Needed:
Response copies
Do Now (chart paper); COPIES OF CHAPTER 5;
Do Now (10): Quiz on Chapter 8
a. Eddie makes a big move in this chapter. What move does he make
and what do you think contributed to his decision?
b. What happens during this event?
c. Who does Eddie go visit next?
d. Where does Eddie decide to go with the person from question c?
e. Who does Eddie bump into at the end of the chapter? What
happens?
HOUSEKEEPING: Hand back weekly point sheets
Take attendance – send to room 115B
Activity 1: (Section A) CUBING ACTIVITY
HOMEWORK (Group A only): Read Chapter 9
TO HAND IN AT THE END OF CLASS:
 Today’s point sheet
 Today’s Do Now & In-class writing
FRIDAY, 10/5/07
Little Big Books LESSON PLAN
DO NOW: (10 min) Quiz (CHAPTER 9):
a. What does José try do when Eddie leaves the hospital? How does Eddie
react? Why do you think he does this?
b. Why does Lupe come to Eddie’s house? What does he say/do?
c. What major decision does Eddie make?
d. Why/how does Eddie end up on the side of the road?
e. Where does Eddie find himself at the end of the story? Who does he see?
ACTIVITY #1: (30) DISCUSSION: (Eddie & the Onions part II)
What is Eddie leaving behind? Use textual evidence – provide quotes,
especially from chapter 9
 What is in store for Eddie in the future? (Use textual evidence)
 Read quote from page 146:
“I hunched down, my hands to my face to hide the shame that had brought me to this field.
I saw Jesús on the ground, then Angel over him. I saw my palms bloodred from all the city
wars – those in the past, those now, and those to come when every homie would raise a fist to
his brother. Without saying a word, the man raised me up and handed me onions, one for
each hand. And whether is was from the sun or the whipping wind, my eyes filled and
then closed on the last of childhood tears”




Eddie mentions hiding the shame that brought him to this field. Whose
shame is it? What does he mean?
What evidence can you find that up until this point, Eddie still seems to
be hanging on to his childhood? (eg: the cream soda – first grade drink, the
chee-tos he hadn’t outgrown on p. 11; the fact that he fights, still asks his mom for
$, soda drinking, the chocolate milk – childhood liquid, p. 120)
How do you know that he is now ready to give it up?
ACTIVITY #2 (10) Intro Final Project
a. students pick essay topic
b. hand out graphic organizers & review what makes a good thesis statement
i.
step 1– gather evidence to answer question
ii.
step 2 – develop a thesis statement
iii.
step 3 – breaking down a thesis statement
Homework: Choose the essay topic you want to focus on & answer the question
in your own words – short paragraph
Name _________________________
Buried Onions
Section _______________
October 5th, 2007
Eddie & the Onions Part II
Answer the following questions as we discuss them in class. THIS WILL BE HANDED IN AND
GRADED (20 points)
 What is Eddie leaving behind?
(Refer to specific textual evidence w/ pg #s)
 What is in store for Eddie in the future?
(Refer to specific textual evidence w/ pg #s)
From page 146:
“I hunched down, my hands to my face to hide the shame that had brought me to this field.
I saw Jesús on the ground, then Angel over him. I saw my palms bloodred from all the city
wars – those in the past, those now, and those to come when every homie would raise a fist to
his brother. Without saying a word, the man raised me up and handed me onions, one for
each hand. And whether is was from the sun or the whipping wind, my eyes filled and
then closed on the last of childhood tears”
 Eddie mentions hiding the shame that brought him to this field. Whose shame
is it? What does he mean? (Refer to specific textual evidence w/ pg #s)
 What evidence can you find that up until this point, Eddie still seems to be
hanging on to his childhood? (Refer to specific textual evidence w/ pg #s)
 How do you know that he is now ready to give it up?
evidence w/ pg #s)
(Refer to specific textual
Name ___________________________
Section ______________
Little BIG Books
Project #1: Buried Onions by Gary Soto
First Draft Due: Tuesday October 16th
REQUIREMENTS:
o At least five paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion
o Clearly defined thesis statement
o Three pieces of direct evidence
o Three explanations that show how your evidence proves your thesis
statement
OPTIONS:
Choose ONE of the following questions:
Option A
Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. In every novel there are many conflicts that
affect the characters. The four basic types of conflicts are: character vs. character, character vs.
self, character vs. society and character vs. nature.
o
Choose and define a conflict in Buried Onions. Explain how this conflict
relates to an important theme in the story.
Option B
The main character, or protagonist, in a book is obviously very important. However, often
another character (not the main character) plays a large role in terms of affecting both the
protagonist and the action in the story.
o
Choose a character other than Eddie from Buried Onions and explain why
he/she is actually very significant in terms of the overall story. Explain how
the author uses this character to develop an important theme in the story.
Option C
“I had a theory about those vapors, which were not released by the sun’s heat but by a huge
onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry. Tears leapt from our eyelashes and
stained our faces. Babies in strollers pinched up their faces and wailed for no reason.
Perhaps as a practice for the coming years. I thought about that giant onion, that
remarkable bulb of sadness”(p.2).
o
Why does Eddie constantly recall the image of the buried onion? Explain
the significance of the image of the buried onion in the novel. What does
the image symbolize? How does Gary Soto use the image of the buried
onion to develop an important theme in the story?
DON’T FORGET TO…
o Type your paper (Computers available during hw help)
o Use Times New Roman font
o Double-space
o Include a title
Homework for the Weekend: Due Tuesday, October 9th
1. Choose an essay topic
2. In the space below, respond to your chosen essay topic in one or two
paragraphs. (This will help you formulate your thesis statement.)
Name ________________________
LBB Week 4
Section
Week of: _10/1-10/5__
______
__5___ Days
Little BIG Books: Weekly Point Sheet
Monday
10/1
On Time (5) ___________
Do Now – QUIZ on Chap 5/6 (10)___________
Prepared (5) __________
–Pen(1) –Literature(2)
–Binder open on desk(2)
Tuesday
10/2
Possible points this week:
____200_____
Behavior (5) ___________
On Time (5) ___________
Do Now – (grammar)(5)___________
Homework (5) ___________
Prepared (5) __________
______/25
______/25
–Pen(2) –Literature(2)
–Binder open on desk(1)
Wednesday
10/3
Behavior (5) ___________
On Time (5) ___________
Do Now (Quiz on Chap 7) (5)______________
Prepared (5) __________
–Pen(2) –Literature(2)
–Binder open on desk(1)
Thursday
10/4
Class Work (5)___________
On Task (5) ___________
On Time (5) ___________
Do Now (Quiz on Chap 8) (10)______________
Prepared (5) __________
–Pen(2) –Literature(2)
–Binder open on desk(1)
Friday
10/5
______/25
______/25
Behavior (5) ___________
On Time (5) ___________
Do Now (Quiz on Chap 9) (5)______________
Prepared (5) __________
–Pen(2) –Literature(2)
–Binder open on desk(1)
______/25
Homework (Eddie & Onions Pt. 2) (5)___________
Behavior (5) ___________
Weekly
Assignments
Eddie &Onions Part 1(20) __________
____________________________ (20): _____________
Eddie & Onions Part 2 (20): __________
Class Discussion (15): ___________
Total for week of ______10/1 – 10/5_____
______/75
______/200
Comments on other side
Comments: