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"Riding backward mae him uneasy. It was like flying blind, and not knowing where he was going -- just where he'd been."
Song of Solomon 4 - Looking Backward - Chapter 2 - Partner or Solo Work: Another good reason to do the previous lesson as a discussion - this lesson is either partner or solo work. I usually assign two chapters for today (2 & 3) - but this assignment is only for Chapter 2, as they will need to finish their work on this for homework, and I don't want them to have to do the reading as well. After two days of discussion - it's great to get the students putting things together for themselves (or with a partner). The ideas and themes in the novel are flowing fast - and by getting the students to take stock of them for themselves (beyond what they do in their own reading) they will more readily put together the parts of this incredible novel on their own. This work is designed to be done either alone or with a partner. If they don't want a lot of homework - they will have to be focused. As always, if they didn't do the reading (that's what quizzes are for) they need to do the reading now - in class - and do this assignment for homework (it will take them quite a while).
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Solo or Partner Work
Solo or Partner Work
The reason that I make this solo (or partner) work - rather than having the students doing it in a group (see my page on Group Work) is because it can't be finished in a single class period (unless you are on block scheduling). Because I usually assign two Chapters for today (2 & 3) and this Assignment only covers Chapter 2 - and the quiz only covers Chapter 2 - the students have no new reading the night they do this - and they can finish the questions on their own.
With that in mind, the instructions specifically point out that IF they do this with a partner (rather than on their own), they are both to write their own paper. They don't have to agree with their partner, but it is great to have someone to throw ideas off of. Sometimes I will even tell the students that if they have the same lunch period as their partner or they can come in before school begins - I will allow them to finish the assignment with their partner.
Please see the Handout for more details but here is a summary of what the questions are about.
Students are given four quotes about Pilate - by putting them together they can see why Milkman is so taken by her (don't forget, the teacher needs to give them that 2nd reading - their first time around).
More quotes and questions - this time about Macon and his relationship to his sister, Pilate.
A GREAT EXAMPLE of that 2nd reading instruction: in two very separate narratives - if you are paying close enough attention - you can see that both Macon and Pilate - as different as can be - remember the same incident from their childhood.
Search for more clues about Pilate and tying it to our watching of our first film in this class - The Return of Martin Guerre.
A question about Milkman's backward and his desire to fly and inability to do so.
His father's hood ornament - a flying lady and how it relates to all of this.
The treatment of Ruth
Milkman's first encounter with Pilate - and his reaction to the person who will have such a huge influence on him.
Guitar's name - where we've seen him before - and the frustration that he and others experience for being black.
The idea of names comes into play again.
Pilate and colors and her wonderful speciricity.
The contrast between the materialism of Pilate with her brother Macon and his "keys"
The students should get through with about 3/4's of these questions with the final quarter being done for homework.
Solo/Partner Work - Flying Backwards - Chapter 2
Solo/Partner Work - Flying Backwards - Chapter 2
After a couple of class discussions, it's great to have the students try to put stuff together for themselves. That makes the "solo" quality of this assignment even more important. Make sure you remind students that if they decide to work with a partner - they will both need to write - as they will be finishing on their own for homework.
After a couple of class discussions, it's great to have the students try to put stuff together for themselves. That makes the "solo" quality of this assignment even more important. Make sure you remind students that if they decide to work with a partner - they will both need to write - as they will be finishing on their own for homework.
Most Recent Quiz
Most Recent Quiz
Though I often assign Chapters 2-3 for today - they will only be quizzed on Chapter 2. By doing so, it gives them time to finish this Solo Work for homework without having to do any new reading. It also gives the kids who haven't done the reading a chance to catch up. As always, I will quickly grade the quizzes as soon as they finish them. Students who DID NOT read Chapter 2 will be asked (though by this time of the year most of them are already doing it on their own) to read - and do the Solo Work (in its entirety) for homework.
A Sample Reading Page with my notes
A Sample Reading Page with my notes
The text with my notes served as a guide for the questions, comments and ideas that I ask (including Group Works) - though I was always ready for and often elicited the students ideas, questions, etc. Over the years - as I wrote notes in this text - the previous years' notes and questions become incorporated into the lesson. Again - you will find that these instructions are flexible - and I had to be - they kept changing the amount of time that we had in the classroom.
Remote Enhancements
Remote Enhancements
Partner Work is perfect for Remote - especially when it can be done Solo.
I present three different ways to cover Chapters 2-3 here (Chapter 2 was done in a Group). The preferred method (to me) is using the Row Reading method of Class Discussion - every student comes up with three things related to a section of the reading (2-3) assigned to their row. I also give instructions for having a Whole Class Discussion ala Ringmaster Teacher. Finally, there is a Group Work for Chapter 3 alone. So much happens in these Chapters! While your students may have discussed 2 in the Group Work - it's great to take a step back and incorporate that Chapter, while also moving on to Chapter 3. Milkman hits his father, we see a much darker side of Guitar, and Railroad Tommy makes one of the most important speeches in the entire book.
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Thoughts on the Lesson
Thoughts on the Lesson
Students really moan about this Solo/Partner Work (as they do about most Group Work). It is intense and requires a good deal of focus and if they work hard in class, they will still have another 30 minutes worth of work left to finish it at home. And yet, it's important for them to every once in a while, write and think about these things - and put these things together on their own. Each question is akin to an essay prompt - each answer, an essay.
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