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"O Sugarman done fly
O Sugarman done gone . . ."
Song of Solomon 19 -Sugarman Done Fly - A Look Backward- Group Work : During our reading of this novel, I have done my best to give the students a "second" reading of this book - without giving anything away. In other words - I've helped them discover (for themselves) the specific parts of this story that help them appreciate this book for the masterpiece that is - and that weave the beautiful connections that exist between the characters, events, and places found in Song of Solomon. In this lesson, the students will work in groups to try and make those same kinds of connections between those first fifteen pages of the novel (that we called an "Overture" all the way back at the beginning of this unit) and the rest of the book. First, they will spend a few minutes on their own (after dividing up the opening of the book) and look for things that now have a new meaning - now that they finished the book. After they share what they came up with there are more questions that get them to appreciate that overture, the connections found within the book, and the connections that they can make with this novel to other texts that we've read in this class. Because we are rapidly approaching the end of the year - this exercise in memory and connection, takes on even more meaning.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
The Quiz
The Quiz
No quiz. This is a looking back on what they've already read, which by this point, is the entire book.
The Group Work
The Group Work
Filling Out the Chart (questions 1-3)
Filling Out the Chart (questions 1-3)
For the first question, they will quickly divide pages 3-9 up amongst their group. They each of them will take their respective sections and look for quotes that now - having finished the book - have new meaning. There is a chart that makes filling this out easy to do - and easy to share.
For question 2 - they do the same thing - except that they look at the entire pages 3-9 - the parts beyond what they were allotted to do. This gives the group another "set of eyes" to see things.
For question 3 - they have 20 minutes to fill out the entire chart - bringing together what all of their Group Members found.
A brief summary of the rest of the Group Work questions (see the actual Group Work Handout [below] for much more)
4. Comparing the ripples from Hemingway's "Indian Camp" and the connections and reverberations in this book.
5. This gives them some quotes from pages 3 to 9 that they may have missed - and asks them to comment on them.
6. A Meta Question: Connecting the rocks and Geography Book that Pilate carries to the connections that they are now finding.
7j. Connecting their earlier novel, The Things They Carried, and the baggage that those soldiers kept with them to what happens in Song of Solomon.
Group Work - Sugarman Done Fly - A Look Backward
Group Work - Sugarman Done Fly - A Look Backward
A Look Backward Group Work - Sugarman Done Fly - Docx PDF
A Look Backward Group Work - Sugarman Done Fly - Docx PDF
See above in my Lesson Overview for a very detailed examination of the Group Work. You should also take a look at my Group Work page that describes how to use Group Work effectively - as well as why I do it.
The Group Work has the students looking backward, connecting the opening pages to the rest of the novel - now that they have read it.
Remote Enhancements
Remote Enhancements
Group Works are fantastic for Remote Teaching - once you get the hang of getting your students into group and virtual rooms. I did use this Group Work during Remote Learning.
Thoughts on the Lesson
Thoughts on the Lesson
It's great to have the students appreciate the intricate layering and connecting that Toni Morrison does in this novel - and to find those things for themselves. I think it is one more reason why the students love this book so much. And now, on to the end of the year.
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