(
The Trouble With Thirteen:
Student Interview)
OBJECTIVES: To increase students’ ability to identity with characters
To provide opportunities for students to become active listeners
MATERIALS: Copy of the poem “New Friends and Old Friends” by Joseph Parry, format for interview
PROCEDURE:
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1. Introduction and motivation
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a. Introduce the lesson by reading the poem entitled “New Friends and Old Friends” by Joseph Parry from
The Best Loved Poems of the American People
.
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b. Lead the discussion of the poem by asking the following questions:
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Why does the poet think old friends are more valuable than new friends?
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How might you lose an old friend?
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What are your thoughts about true friends?
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2. Development of concepts
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The following questions may be used for discussion of the story.
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What character traits do you think Rachel possessed? Find examples in the story to support your answers. What are the interests and anxieties shared by the characters?
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Do you feel Annie’s jealousy of Rachel’s new friends was a normal reaction? Describe an experience in which you were jealous of a friend. Why do you feel the girls were so concerned about menstruation? What meaning does menstruation have for you?
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What pubic development might boys be concerned about? Do you think Rachel will have any problems adjusting to her parents’ divorce? Explain your answer. Skim the story for a passage that parallels the theme of the poem “Old Friends and New Friends”.
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3. Extending interpretations
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a. List the various topics discussed in the novel.
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b. Each student will select one topic to use as a subject of an interview. He will write five or more questions for that topic.
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c. Explain to students that questions should elicit the person’s feelings.
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d. Explain that an interview is a meeting at which a reporter obtains information from a person.
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e. Tell students to interview another person of their own age group, remind students to use pseudonyms in their reporting and to encourage the persons they interview to be honest about their answers.
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f. Give students a form to use for the interview.
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g. Have them write their questions on the form prior to the interview.
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h. Ask the reporters to share their findings.
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i. Discuss the findings.
Sample interview form (divorce)
Topic:
Divorce
Reporter. How old were you when your parents divorced?
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(person interviewed)
Reporter: Did it come as a surprise to you, or were you expecting it?
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Reporter: Who did you blame? Why?
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Reporter: What changes did the divorce cause (i.e. moving, financial problems, your mother having to work)?
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Reporter: How do you feel around friends who live with both parents?
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Reporter: Do you wish your parents would get back together?
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Reporter: What advice would you give a child whose parents are divorced or getting a divorce?
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SPIN-OFF ACTIVITY: CREATIVE WRITING
Students will write paragraphs on the topic, “The Trouble With Age _____”. They will give personal views of the problems associated with their age.
