JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
LAP 3: THE STRUGGLE FOR CHANGE
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Rationale: As we move through life, our experiences teach us lessons about the world around
us and the people in it. Some of the lessons learned are joyous, and the people we encounter and
surround ourselves with uplift us. Other times, we experience adversity, pain, disappointment,
fear and injustice instead. In either case, our experiences create a unique individual story that
only we can tell about ourselves. So it is in our LAP 3 novel, The Help. Set in Jackson,
Mississippi during the heat of the Civil Rights movement, three brave women see the Southern
world around them in need of change and set about telling their story to cause it, but not without
difficulty or apprehension. The novel helps the reader to understand the themes of prejudice,
courage, and independence that are all still quite relevant today.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What are the motivating reasons for change?
Time: About 14 class meetings
Materials: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (ISBN 978-0-425-23220)*** Must be brought to class EACH day!
Wordly Wise – Level 10 – Units 11 and 12
Class notebook, pens, pencils, looseleaf paper and device, as needed.
LAP Objectives: After completing this LAP you will be able to:
1) Identify plot elements such as setting, conflict, point of view and characterization in the
novel.
2) Identify/explain themes in the novel.
3) Identify/explain character motivation
4) Have a historical understanding of events relating to the Civil Rights movement and how
they tie in to the events in the novel.
5) Become aware of the influence of social customs and expectations on human behavior and
thinking.
6) draw connections between two pieces of literature using critical thinking
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
This LAP includes:
This LAP includes:
1) Daily Homework: See each class meeting on LAP calendar for homework
assignments. NOTE:For most homework assignments, you will have a study
guide with informative and discussion questions to complete You should use at least
two complete sentences to answer each question, re-stating the question in your
answer. Please skip lines between each question. Make sure you attempt some
reasonable response to the question – a blank answer gathers no points – TRY YOUR
BEST!!
2)Announced and unannounced quizzes at the beginning of class. Be prepared!!!!
3) Independent Vocabulary – Complete the exercises for Unit 8 in your Vocabulary
Workshop book. Then come to Open Lab to check your answers against my key.
Once you have checked your work, show me your corrected answers for credit.
Vocabulary Deadlines
Unit 11 Exercises – Due C-Day, 3/31
Unit 11 Test in Testing Center C, 3/31 – E, 4/2
Unit 12 Exercises – Due C-Day, 4/16
Unit 12 Test in Testing Center C, 4/16 – E, 4/21
4) LAP 3 Test
You will not have a separate LAP 3 test, but HALF of your cumulative final exam will
focus on the vocabulary, novel events, themes, character personalities, literary
techniques, class discussions, and quotations we study during the novel. Use your
Discussion questions and Class Notes and Study Guides from each chapter to study from.
More information about the entire final exam will be given.
4) Open Lab Assignment: You will be given an outside reading selection, “The Mask”
by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, that pertains to the novel’s theme. This selection is in your
American Lit Textbook, so you will need to bring that to Open Lab for the activity. After
your careful reading and analysis of the selection, you will have a worksheet to complete.
The worksheet must be completed by D-Day, 4/20…..no exceptions.
5)The Help Assessment Activity – Due B-Day, 5/15
This activity will be worth 50 points and you will have 3 choices of projects to
complete that will demonstrate your understanding of the characters and themes of
the novel. More details to come after Easter break.
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
CLASS MEETINGS CALENDAR: (Record the day of the cycle and date for each
meeting!)
March 31st (C)
Briefly go over LAP; Watch Documentary “ for understanding of time period and historical
events of Civil Rights movement
Homework for DAY 1 (see page 5 of LAP) : Read Chapters 1-3 and complete homework
assignment that was given out in class.
DAY 1: E-Day, 4/2
Discuss the author’s use of dialect, character development, and foreshadowing. Discussion of
Chapters 1-3; share your character details and opinions about characters and situations in class;
use of foreshadowing and predictions for things to come.
The “Bathroom Initiative”
Homework: Read Chapters 4-6 and complete the Discussion Questions for the Chapters
(pg.5 )
DAY 2____________
Quiz
Discussion of Chapters 4-6
Homework: Read Chapters 7-9 and Complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 3____________
Discussion of Chapters 7-9
Project choices
Homework: Read Chapters 10-12 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 4 __________
Discussion of Chapters 10-12
Homework: Read Chapters 13-15 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 5 ___________
Discussion of Chapters 13-15
Homework: Read Chapters 16-18 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
DAY 6___________
Discussion of Chapters 16-18
Homework: Read Chapters 19-21 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 7 __________
Discussion of Chapters 19-21
Homework: Read Chapters 22-23 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 8 _________
Discussion of Chapters 22-23
Homework: Read Chapters 24-25 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 9 _________
Discussion of Chapters 24-25
Homework: Read Chapters 26-28 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 10 _________
Discussion of Chapters 26-28
Homework: Read Chapters 29-30 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 11 _________
Discussion of Chapters 29-30
Homework: Read Chapters 31-32 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 12_________
Discussion of Chapters 31-32
Homework: Read Chapters 33-34 and complete Discussion Questions for the Chapters
DAY 13 _________
Discussion of Chapters 33-34;Ending of novel discussion – lessons learned? Predictions?
Questions and parallels
DAY 14 ____________
Test Prep; Work on Projects
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
The Help Discussion Questions
Abileen
Miss Leefolt
Mae Mobley Leefolt
Miss Skeeter
Miss Hilly Holbrook
Miss Walters
Minny
Celia Rae Foote
Homework for Day 1 class: Read Chapters 1-3 (pp. 1-54)
On looseleaf, complete the following:
1)write down the characters that get presented in Chapters 1- 3. Give the
following details for each character:
4 adjectives that describe the character
Your attitude or feeling toward the character based on his or her words or
actions (25 words for each main character)
2) Predict what you think will happen so far at the end of Chapter 3
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Discussion Questions for Chapters 4-6
IMPORTANT THEMES IN THE NOVEL:
RACIAL PREJUDICE
SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS
Please be sure to answer questions on looseleaf paper, and skip lines between each question. For
each question, make sure your response is detailed and consists of at least two full sentences.
Chapter 4
1. Why does Miss Celia not want her husband to know that Minny is working for them?
2. What does Minny worry about?
3. What does Miss Celia do a great deal that Minny finds odd?
Chapter 5
1. How long have Hilly , Skeeter and Elizabeth been friends?
2. What does Hilly threaten to do to Skeeter at the beginning of Ch. 5 and why?
3. What does Skeeter’s mother nag her about constantly?
4. How would you describe Skeeter’s mother?
5. Who is Constantine? Why was she so special to Skeeter? What does Skeeter think
happened to her?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Chapter 6
1. What letter does Skeeter receive in this Chapter? How does it inspire her?
2. What job does Skeeter wind up getting?
3. How do others view Skeeter’s job?
4. Why does Skeeter begin visiting Abileen at Ms. Leefolt’s house?
talk to Abileen about?
What does Skeeter
5. What is an example of foreshadowing at the end of this chapter?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTERS 7-9
Chapter 7
1. Why does Abileen begin telling Mae Mobley she is a smart, kind girl?
2. Why does Mae Mobley get in trouble with her mother, and how does it make Abileen
feel?
3. Explain the metaphor of the “bitter seed” that Abileen keeps mentioning inside of
her. What is it? Why is it growing?
4. Why does Miss Skeeter come to visit Abileen at her house? How does Abileen feel
about this whole situation and why?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Chapter 8
1. Explain the details of the writing idea that Skeeter has proposed to write for Ms. Stein at
Harper and Row. How does Ms. Stein react to the idea?
2. Why does Skeeter try to pay money to Abileen? How does Abileen react?
3. Who is trying to get Skeeter set up for a date? Who is the person she is supposed to go
out with and why is the date so important?
4. What physical feature is a difficulty for Miss Skeeter, and how does her mother find a
solution for it?
Chapter 9
1. How does Skeeter feel about her date at the beginning of the Chapter?
2. Who comes to visit the Phelans and why?
3. How does the date turn out and how does it make Skeeter feel?
4. What positive event occurs at the end of this Chapter? How has it been brought
about?
Questions for Chapters 10-12
Chapter 10 - Minny
1. When will Johnny Foote learn that Minny is working for them? What worries Minny
about that day?
2. How does Minny react when Abileen tells her about Miss Skeeter’s writing project?
3. In this chapter, Celia locks herself in the bathroom when she comes to change the
bedsheets. What does this and other odd behavior say about Celia?
4. How does Johnny Foote finally find out about Minny, and how does he react?
Chapter 11 - Skeeter
1. Where does the first interview between Skeeter and Abileen take place? What does it
mean for Skeeter to say about Abileen’s appearance that she “stands a little taller in her
own house”? (pg. 168 [or 233] )
2. Why would Skeeter and Abileen be arrested if they were caught meeting like this?
3. How does the first interview between Skeeter and Abileen go? What does Skeeter think
will happen next?
4. How does Abileen let Skeeter know she is ready to be interviewed again?
What does Abileen do to make the second interview go better than the first?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Chapter 12 - Skeeter
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does Skeeter do for Abileen and why?
After reading Hilly’s Home Health Sanitation Initiative, how does it make you feel?
What is the good news and the bad news Skeeter receives from Ms. Stein?
How many other maids has Abileen asked for Skeeter to interview? What seems to be
the main reason they won’t agree to it?
5. Describe Minny’s mood the first time Miss Skeeter meets with her to discuss the project
and interview her.
6. What real event in history does Minny mention that shows how dangerous what they are
doing is?
The Help Discussion Questions for Chapters 13-15
Chapter 13
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who shows up at Skeeter’s door and surprises her in this chapter and why?
Who is Patricia van Devender?
What does Skeeter find at the library and what does she do with it?
What does Skeeter leave at the League meeting, and why is this a concern?
Chapter 14
1. What does Skeeter show to Aibileen and why does Aibileen then show this same thing to
Minny?
2. What is the one thing Aibileen admits that she admires about Hilly Holbrook in this
chapter?
3. Why does Hilly claim that blacks and whites should never attend the same school
together?
4. What act of violence occurs at the end of this chapter, and what is the aftermath of the
event?
Chapter 15
1. In this chapter, who accuses Aibileen of not teaching Mae Mobley manners? How would
you describe this character?
2. Where does Hilly invite Ms. Leefolt and Mae Mobley to go and why is this special?
3. What do you see happening between Hilly and Elizabeth in their interaction with
Skeeter?
4. What position is Hilly’s husband running for, and how is it affecting her?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Chapter 16
1. How does Aibileen feel about trying to get other maids recruited for Skeeter’s writing
project? (244)
2. Who is Yule May? What does she want to speak to Aibileen about at the church
meeting? (246-47)
Chapter 17
1. What is Minny’s new fear at the Foote household? (250 – 252)
2. Why does Minny feel that Celia doesn’t understand the line between blacks and whites?
(253)
3. What does Minny not want Aibileen to know about her meetings with Ms. Skeeter?
4. What does Leroy think about voicing discontent about racial integration?
5. What is the mystery about Miss Celia that Minny is trying to figure out in this chapter?
What conclusion does Minny make and what happens when she confronts Celia about it?
Chapter 18
In this chapter, Minny finds Celia in the bathroom of her bedroom. What has happened to Celia?
How does this explain her odd behavior since Minny came to work for her?
The Help Discussion Questions
Questions for Chapters 19-21
Ch. 19
1. How is the relationship progressing between Skeeter and Stuart now?
2. What does Skeeter learn about Yule May in this Chapter? What does the letter from Yule
May to Skeeter say? What is the result of this situation?
3. How many more maids does Skeeter get for interviews by the end of this chapter? Why
have they decided to join the project?
Ch. 20
1. Describe the dinner at the Whitworth’s house and how it goes. What happens between
Skeeter and Stuart during this evening?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Ch. 21
1. Why does Skeeter feel it is important to change the location and names in the book she
writing?
2. What does Hilly talk to Skeeter about at the end of the League meeting? How would you
describe her attitude and behavior towards Skeeter?
Questions for Chapters 22-23
Ch. 22
1. In this Chapter, Mae Mobley has a birthday. Describe her mother’s actions on this special
day and what it shows about her.
2. What happens at Hilly Holbrook’s house and who is responsible?
3. What is the irony of Hilly’s and Elizabeth’s discussion of racists in Jackson on page
343[?]?
4. What information does Aibileen tell Skeeter about at the end of this chapter?
Ch. 23
1. What are the secret stories that Aibileen tells Mae Mobley? Why does Aibileen tell these
stories?
2. Who shows up at the Leefolt’s door to buy tickets for the League’s Benefit? Why is this
potentially a disaster for Minny and Aibileen?
Questions for Chapters 24-25
Ch 24
1. What are Minny’s concerns at the beginning of this Chapter?
2. What does Miss Celia notice about Minny when she comes to work early one
morning?
3. What does Celia do that surprises Minny, and what does it allow Minny to see about
Celia?
4. On Page 367 Aibileen and Minny talk about lines and crossing them. What kinds of
lines are they discussing and how does it make them feel?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
5. Why does Celia think that she shouldn’t associate with Skeeter like Minny suggests,
and what does Celia suddenly realize?
Ch 25
1. Why does Minny think the Benefit is going to be a disaster for Miss Celia and should
stay home?
2. Hilly wins Minny’s chocolate pie in the silent auction. Who bids on the pie for Hilly?
Who does she think bid on it for her?
Chapters 26-28
Ch 26
1. What is the Terrible Awful? Why does Minny tell it to Celia?
2. Why does Celia threaten to leave her husband? How does Minny talk her out of it?
Ch 27
1. What does Ms. Stein tells Skeeter about the manuscript deadline? What does she tell
Skeeter to add to the book? How is this a problem for Skeeter, and who does she go
to for help?
2. How have Skeeter’s actions affected her life?
3. Who comes to pay a visit to Skeeter at her house, and what is the result of the visit?
4. What is the truth about what happened to Constantine, and how does Skeeter’s
mother explain the situation to Skeeter when confronted about it?
5. Why is it necessary to include The Terrible Awful in the book?
Ch 28
1. What is wrong with Skeeter’s mother and how is it affecting her?
2. In this chapter Skeeter goes shopping and finds her own sense of style. What style is
it, and what do you think has inspired it?
3. What happens between Skeeter and Stuart? Why?
4. What is the news from Harper and Row at the end of this chapter, and how do the
ladies feel about it?
Chapters 29-30
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Ch29
1. What question does Mae Mobley want an answer to from Aibileen, and what does it
show?
2. What television show discusses Skeeter’s book and what is the result?
3. What happens when Aibileen goes to church?
Ch 30
1. What begins to happen throughout town as people begin to read Skeeter’s book?
2. What does Celia tell Johnny in this chapter that prompts him to tell Minny that she
will have a job for life?
Chapters 31- 32
Ch 31
1. How does Ms. Leefolt react after reading the chapter that Aibileen provided?
2. What trouble does Mae Mobley begin to have with her preschool teacher?
3. What makes Aibileen wish Hilly Holbrook would read Skeeter’s book a little faster?
Ch 32
1. What does Minny learn in this chapter is some of the results of Skeeter’s book on the
maids?
2. What did Leroy once tell Minny was the reason why he often beats her? Why does
Minny fear that Leroy will kill her if he finds out about her participation in Skeeter’s
book?
3. What does Minny believe she hears at the end of this chapter, and what does it mean?
Chapters 33-34
Ch. 33
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are some of Skeeter’s fears now that the book has been published?
Why does Skeeter feel she needs to get out of Mississippi?
What does Lou Anne tell Skeeter in the drugstore?
Who shows up at Skeeter’s at the end of this chapter? What is this person’s intention?
What is the letter from Harper and Row about?
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JAMES
AMER. LIT B
SPRING 2015 SEMESTER
Ch 34
1. How does the tide against the maids change in the aftermath of Hilly finishing the
book?
2. How has Minny changed?
3. Why does Mr. Leefolt instruct his wife to have his daughter’s preschool teacher
changed?
4. What is ironic about Miss Hester and her maid, Flora Lou?
5. What job has Skeeter arranged for Aibileen to take?
6. How many more copies does Skeeter tell Aibileen that Ms. Stein ordered for their
book?
7. Why does Minny leave her husband?
8. How does Aibileen lose her job?
9. How does Aibileen feel as she leaves the Leefolt house, and why?
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