This lesson is based on the story, "The Invisible Man."
Objective- understand the plot, character
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-read for comprehension
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-understand cause and effect
Materials- copy of "The Invisible Man"
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-copy of the questions and worksheet
Procedure- Have students read the story independently. Then go back, having different students take on the various characters' role.
Questions
What are some of the explanations that the village people give for the behavior of the stranger? What explanation did you, as a reader, have early in the story?
If you discovered a way to become invisible, what would you do with that ability? Are there ways in which this discovery could work for the good of mankind?
What might a day in the life of an invisible person be like?
Why does Griffin ask Kemp to be his accomplice? Why does the author wait until this point to reveal that Griffin is someone that Kemp once knew?
At the end of the story, Kemp remarks, "It's a waste that such a brilliant discovery was made by such a twisted mind." What dies he mean?
Explain to students the reason someone does something. The "why" of what a person does- is called his or her motivation. There is a cause for everything a character does (the effect).
Write cause or effect for each pair of statements.
___Griffin was cold. ___Griffin took off his bathrobe.
___Mrs. Hall lit a fire. ___Griffin became invisible.
___Millie ran downstairs. ___Kemp betrayed Griffin.
___Griffin frightened Millie. ___Griffin planned to kill Kemp.
Materials for classroom use
McKissack, Patricia. The Dark-Thirty. This book contains the short story, "The Chicken-Coop Monster."
Poe, Edgar Allan. The Ten Great Mysteries by Edgar Allan Poe. This book contains the story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." Any anthology of Poe is likely to have this favorite.
Sobel, Donald J. Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace. This book contains "The Case of the Stolen Ring."
Wells, H.G. "The Invisible Man". This story was in Mystery in the Spotlight, which is a skills book put out by Scholastic.
Suggested mystery titles for conducting literature circles. Five or six copies of each title should be on hand for group use.
Byers, Betsy. Tarot Says Beware: A Herculeah Jones Mystery
Doyle, Arthur Conan. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (adapted by Olive Eckerson)
Duncan, Lois. I Know What You Did Last Summer
Fitzgerald, John D. The Great Brain (series book, all are appropriate)
Hamilton, Virginia. The House of Dies Dreer
Nixon, Joan Lowery. The Name of the Game was Murder
Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass
Spinelli, Jerry. Goosebumps (series book, most are appropriate)
Vivelo, Jackie. Chills Run Down My Spine
