Week 2: Short Stories
9th Grade Honors
Task List
At the beginning of each week, you will receive a list of tasks, or objectives, which must be completed by
Friday. When you receive this list, put it into your 3-ring binder ("portfolio"). When you complete a
task, place it behind the appropriate task list. You must keep your "portfolio” in order. I will take up
portfolios on Fridays to check for completion.
EQ: How does understanding basic background knowledge about an author aid in understanding of To
Kill a Mockingbird?
1. Research: Topic Introduction
Research the following topics using the provided iPads. We are looking to gather information
and understanding about each of the topics listed. On a separate sheet of notebook paper, find
information about each of the three topics. Be detailed with your information. Each topic has
questions to help guide you in your research. Be sure to cite your sources at the bottom of the
page. We will have access to the iPads for Monday and Tuesday.
1. Harper Lee:
-Biographical information--How did her childhood impact her writing? When was To Kill
a Mockingbird" published? What role does the time period in which it was written have
on our understanding of author’s intended meaning?
2. Civil Rights Movement:
-Background information-What is the Civil Rights Movement?
What are Jim Crow Laws? How did it begin? In what part of the world? What people did
it oppress? How and why? Describe racial inequality. What are some examples found
during your research?
3. Scottsboro Trail (1931):
-What is the history of the trial? What does the trial tell us about the social climate of
the period? How does it relate to social inequality and racial tensions?
2. The Necklace
-Read the short story by Guy de Maupassant. Each group member must participate in reading
the story.
3. The Necklace-Notes
-On a separate sheet of paper, identify and discuss the following based on the story. At the top,
label the page: "The Necklace- notes." You may work on this assignment as a team, but each
member should have a complete list in there notebook. Be sure to discuss each item. Use
quotes from the text to support your answers.
1. Characters: Protagonist/antagonist--how are the characters described in the story?
Characteristics?
2. Theme: Based on the story as a whole, characters, conflict, and plot; what do you think is the
theme of the story? Keep in mind, theme is the meaning of a story; central or dominating idea.
It is not the moral or subject of the story.
3. Conflict: What is the main problem in the story? Which characters are in conflict?
4. Examples of Irony:
5. Examples of Foreshadowing:
6. What role does "class role" of social mobility play in the story? Use evidence to support your
answer.
4. The Scarlet Ibis
-Read the short story by James Hurst. Each group member must participate in reading the story.
5. The Scarlet Ibis-Notes
-On a separate sheet of paper, identify and discuss the following based on the story. At the top,
label the page: "The Scarlett Ibis-notes." You may work on this assignment as a team, but each
member should have a complete list in there notebook. Be sure to discuss each item. Use
quotes from the text to support your answers.
1. Theme: Based on the story as a whole, characters, conflict, and plot; what do you think is the
theme of the story?
2. Setting: How does the setting relate to the plot of the story?
3. Conflict: What is the conflict of the story?
4. Symbolism: How is the scarlet ibis used as a symbol? Who/what is symbolized?
5. Characters: Protagonist/antagonist--how are the characters described in the story?
Characteristics?
6. Vocabulary List 1
-Complete Unit 1 (Pg. 21-27) on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to pay attention to
pronunciation, parts of speech, synonyms, and antonyms.
-Vocabulary quiz: Thursday
7. Video 2