Lesson Plan #1
The author, Miss Harper Lee, was born on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama. She attended the local public schools, then Huntington College. Later she studied law at the University of Alabama but never completed work for the law degree. Her study of the law may be reflected in the simplicity of her style. Every event is narrated with a straightforward, simple approach. In her first novel,
To Kill a Mockingbird
, a lawyer is the main character. For this work she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the best novel of 1960. The book has been made into a successful movie.
I.
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Students will be given two weeks to read the novel outside of class.
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II.
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Chapter I
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A.
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Vocabulary
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B.
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Discussion questions:
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1.
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Who is telling the story and from what point of view? (It should be pointed out to students that there are two sides to every argument. Actually there are many sides to a situation, depending upon who is looking at it and why. The different “sides” taken by different people are their points of view.)
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2.
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What is the setting?
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3.
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What kind of person is Atticus Finch?
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III.
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Writing assignment:
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The technique of this first chapter is like that of a mystery story in which the author mentions certain things and gives hints about facts which are not fully revealed until much later. The incident about Jem getting his arm broken is not reported until the last chapters of the novel. Can you think of some incident from your own experiences which seemed mysterious to you at the time? Recall the incident by writing about it.
Lesson Plan #2
Chapters 2-3
I.
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Vocabulary
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II.
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Discussion:
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These two chapters present the first aspect of Scout’s education.
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A.
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What are some of her learning experiences?
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(1.
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The Cunninghams are poor but honest people.
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2.
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She must treat Walter with courtesy even though he is poor.
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3.
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A guest must always be treated with respect regardless of his/her station in life.
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4.
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She must try to see things from others’ points of view.)
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B.
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Compare the Cunninghams with the Ewells.
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III.
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Writing assignment:
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Describe the relationship between Scout and Atticus. Think about whether you would like to have the same type of relationship with your parents.
Lesson Plan #3
Chapters 4-6
I.
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Vocabulary
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II.
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Discussion:
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A.
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In Chapter 4 the Radley place becomes more mysterious. Discuss the attitude of Scout and Jem toward Boo Radley.
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B.
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What does Atticus think of Boo?
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C.
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What kind of person is Miss Maudie? Is she typical of the white people in this community?
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D.
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Contrast Miss Maudie’s function with that of Miss Stephanie.
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III.
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Writing assignment:
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In these chapters the children are frightened by the firing of a gun after their attempt to peek into the Radley house. Can you remember a time when you were very frightened? Write about what happened, how you felt, and the outcome of the situation.