English Language Arts
2009
November 2, 2009
• CW:
The Outsiders: Chapter One
Character Social Activity Part One
• HW:
Reading and recording on bookmark
Character Social
• One of our focuses this unit is on
characterization. Characterization is the
method used by the writer to describe a
character.
• In chapter one we are introduced to the
characters. The narrator tells the reader their
ages, appearances, backgrounds, personalities
and things that are important to them in life.
Character Social
• During this activity you will use the chapter to
fill out a character charts for each of the
following characters:
Ponyboy, Two-Bit Matthews, Sodapop, Darry,
Steve Randle, Dally and Johnny Cade.
Character Chart
• Each person in the group will fill out their own
character chart. You will keep these in the reading
notebook section of your binders, and add details
to them as we read the novel.
• In the character you chart you will record
observations and information for the following
categories:
age and background, appearance, important
things in his life and personality
November 3, 2009
• CW:
Character Social Part Two
• HW:
Character Social Part Two
• For part two of the character social you will be
split up into groups based on character.
• Each group will be responsible for a different
character.
• You will use the information from all of your
character charts to write an introduction for the
character (a biography) from that character’s
perspective.
Character Social Part Two
• Someone in the group will record your
introduction on paper. Once the group agrees,
you will write the introduction on poster
board.
• A speaker for the group will introduce the
character to the class.
Character Social Part Two
• As you listen to each group introduce the
character ask yourself, “was their introduction
complete and accurate?”
• We will hang these posters in the classroom as
we read the novel.
Ms. Freese’s Example
• I am a young Chicana woman living in the urban landscape
of Chicago. I haven’t always lived here, and I am not afraid
to admit that it doesn’t live up to my expectations. I have
ideas about my life, and who I want to be. I am a writer.
Writing, and looking at the trees outside my window is how
I cope and recognize myself. I have a younger sister named
Nenny who drives me crazy, but also makes me laugh. I
have two brothers who only talk to me when we are in the
house. It is like they live in a different world. My mother
and I are close, and my father works hard to support my
family. I am thirteen-years-old and recently wore high heels
for the first time. I have long dark hair, skin the color of
caramel, and eyes that long for what’s to come.
November 4, 2009(Wednesday)
• CW:
Finish reading chapter one (or re-visit
particular passages)
• The Socs versus The Greasers
• HW:
Reading and recording/Post-It Handout
Conflict
• In this novel, the narrator, Ponyboy has several
conflicts. These conflicts are internal and
external.
• Conflict is the struggle that propels the action
in a story. There are three types of conflicts:
-man versus man
-man versus nature
-man versus himself
Three Types of Conflict
• Man versus Man
Example: A typical Western, in which the
sheriff confronts the outlaws.
• Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are in conflict
with each other over who is the best
basketball player in the NBA.
Man versus Nature
• Man versus Nature
• Example:
• The novel Hatchet, where Brian must survive
after being stranded in a deserted area after a
plane crash.
Man versus Himself
• Man versus Himself
• Example:
• The main character of a story fighting his or
her own addiction to drugs.
Conflict in novels
• Most novels include all three types on
conflicts. It is possible to have more than one
type of conflict in a story.
Conflict in the Outsiders
• The external conflict in The Outsiders, is the
conflict between two different social groups,
The Socs and The Greasers. In order to
understand this conflict, we need to gather
information about what differences separate
one group from the other.
Your Task…
• Using your copy of the text and the conflict
chart, gather specific textual evidence
(quotes, page numbers, and phrases) to
• Describe the problem( why the Socs and The
Greasers) don’t get along or agree.
• Include a quotation from our narrator,
Ponyboy, about the conflict
• Reasons the conflict exists
Ms. Freese’s Example
• Details that describe the problem:
The Socs are the “socials, the jet=set, the
west-side rich kids”(2).
• A quotation from Ponyboy about the conflict
“I’m not saying either Socs or greasers are
better; that’s just the way things are”(3).
Ms. Freese’s Example
• Reasons the conflict exists:
• “the warfare between the social classes”
External and Internal Conflict
• Complete the same charts for the following
conflicts in chapter one:
• Darry versus Ponyboy(external)
• Ponyboy versus himself (feeling hurt about
Darry)
November 5(Thursday)
• CW:
• Recognizing Stereotypes in The Outsiders
• Four Corners Debate
• HW:
Reading and Recording
On a piece of paper…
•
•
•
•
On a piece of paper write the following:
Your name
The date
Survey
• Write down the following statements, and next to
each statement write down true or false based on
whether or not you agree with the statement or
not.
Survey
• In any area, tension exists between the
wealthy and the poor.
• Gangs are necessary for protection.
• Teenagers should stay with their own kind.
• People should be judged, in part, by their
appearance.
• The way to stop violence is revenge.
The activity
• For each topic we will divide into two groups.
One group for the students who wrote down
true, and one group for the students who
wrote down false.
• Once in your group plan your argument, select
a speaker and prepare to debate the issue.
November 6, 2009 (Friday)
• CW:
• Freewrite # 1
Chapter Two
• Finish debates
• HW:
• Reading and Recording on bookmark and
Post-It Handout