Writing Prompt: What Would You Ask?

What one question would you ask Mr. Hughes about why he wrote Thank You M'am?

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Context Clues: Using Vocabulary From Thank You M'am by Langston Hughes

 Spanyik Kornel (1848 - 1943)

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Vocabulary: "Thank You M'am" by Langston Hughes

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Writing Prompt: Thank You M'am by Langston Hughes

In the short story "Thank You M'am" by Langston Hughes: 

What does the boy try to steal?

What does the woman do to him when she first meets him?

What do you learn about Roger’s home life?

What does Mrs. Jones want to teach him?

What do you think Mrs. Jones means when she says “you got another thought coming?

What do Mrs. Jones and Roger have in common? In other words, what is the same about them? 

What are devilish ways?

What does Mrs. Jones give Roger?

What does she hope he will do in the future?

How do you think Roger might change after meeting Mrs. Jones, and why?

Now, groups will work on the plot diagram for "Thank You M'am":

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Snake on a plane!

Read the Article: Link to Article

Answer the Critical Thinking Questions:

Critical thinking challenge: Why were passengers given hotel rooms? Why didn't they just go home and come back the next day?

Take the Quiz:

1. Where is Quantas based?

   	Australia
   	Taiwan
   	Tokyo
   	Singapore

2. Define “exotic”

   	Exotic: Asian
   	Exotic: miniature
   	Exotic: foreign
   	Exotic: harmless

3. Why was the jet fumigated?

   	Because it smelled bad
   	Because it was dirty
   	It was merely a precaution
   	Because all flights are fumigated prior to departure

Other Resources:

NPR Article 

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Thousands Welcome Giant Duck

Read the article Thousands Welcome Giant Duck

Take the Quiz

1. Why did Florentijn Hofman create this duck?

   	Because he's an artist, and artists do crazy things.
   	Because he likes ducks
   	Because he wants more people to buy ducks
   	Because he wants to help make people happy

2. Define “iconic”

   	Iconic: from another country
   	Iconic: large
   	Iconic: symbol
   	Iconic: dramatic

3. How will the duck generate revenue?

   	People must pay to see the duck.
   	Someone will pay millions to buy the duck.
   	People will spend money on other things, like food and hotels, when they come to see the duck.
   	More people will build more ducks and pay people to build the ducks.

Don't forget to answer the Critical Thinking Question at the end of the article! 

Other Resources:

NPR Article 1

NPR Article 2

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Writing Prompt: Banned Book Week

Today’s banned/challenged book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Why was this book banned in 1931?

ANSWER: [Highlight to SEE]

In 1931, banned by the Governor of Hunan Province in China on the grounds that:

"Animals should not use human language, and it was disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level."

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Writing Prompt: Banned Book Week

Today’s Banned/Challenged Book: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Why was this book banned or challenged?

Answer: [Highlight to see]

Challenged because of its “ungodly” influence and “for depicting women in strong leadership roles.” In 1957, the director of the Detroit Public Library banned it for having “no value for children today”, for supporting “negativism”, and for “bringing children’s minds  to a cowardly level.”

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What are the 5 Elements of a GOOD Story

What are the 5 things you need to tell a good story? (Hint: think about the Flocabulary Video we watched in class)

Answer:  Watch the video

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Poll:. What do you think all these books have in common?

1. Captain Underpants series
2. A Wrinkle in Time
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
4. The Harry Potter series
5. The Higher Power of Lucky
6. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
7. In the Night Kitchen
8. Bridge to Terabithia
9. The Stupids series
10. The Bluest Eye

Answer [Highlight to SEE]: They are all censored or challenged books.

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Banned Book Week: September 22-28, 2013

Before responding to the prompt, please view the video.

Writing Prompt:  Do you think banning books is a good idea or a bad idea?  Why?  Your answer must be written in complete sentences.  A minimum of five sentences is requried.

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Writing Prompt: 8 Ways Characterc is Revealed

What are the eight (8) ways character is revealed?

Answer:  Click HERE



More explanation: Click Here and Here

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Short Story Elements

Lesson Adapted from Film English

The lesson is designed around an Oscar-winning short film called The Man Who Planted Trees and the subjects of short stories and the meaning of life. Students read a short story, watch short video about writing a short story, write a short story, watch a short film, and speak about the meaning of life. The lesson should be done over 2 90 minute classes.-Film English

Language level: Upper Intermediate– Advanced (C1)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 2 90 minute classes/May Vary depending on adaptation

Activity: Reading a short story, watching short video about writing a short story, writing a short story, watching a short film, and speaking

Topic: Short stories and the meaning of life

Language: Language related to elements of a short story

Materials: Short story, video and short film

Downloadable materials: the man who planted trees lesson instructions the 5 elements of a short story how to write a great short story the man who planted trees short story the man who planted trees discussion questions-Film English

Lesson 1

Step 1

Ask students the following question:

Have you ever read any short stories?

Can you remember the plot of any short stories?

What makes a good short story?


Step 2

Write the following words on the board:

Character

Setting

Plot

Conflict

Theme

Tell your students that these are generally considered the 5 essential elements of a short story. Put your students in pairs and ask them to discuss what each of the 5 elements means. Give them 5 minutes to discuss the 5 elements and then get feedback.

Step 3

Give students the 5 Elements of a Short Story handout and ask them to read it and then compare their answers with the information in the article.

The 5 Elements of a Short Story

Step 4

Ask your students the following question:

How can you write a great short story?

Put them into small groups and give them 5 minutes to come up with advice for writing a great short story.

Step 5

Tell your students they are going to watch a short video in which the writer Kurt Vonnegut gives 8 tips on how to write a short story. Ask students to watch the film and then try to discuss the advice he gives.

How to Write a Great Short Story

For advanced students you can read the short story The Man Who Planted Trees. Tell them they will need to use a dictionary as there is a lot of difficult vocabulary.

AUDIO LINK for The Man Who Planted Trees

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees Lesson Two use Film English

Or

You can use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

AUDIO LINK for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Now, students will plan their own short story using the plot diagram and following the advice they learned in the lesson. They should choose their own title.

LESSON 2

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees instructions for Lesson Two are found on Film English

If you use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes use the links below and the additional resources on The Things You Can Read.

Plot Diagram for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Free Lesson Plan for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Questions for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Audio for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Slide Show to Introduce and Teach Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

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