short story of the month - i'm lovin' lit

3 ©2019 erin cobb imlovinlit.com

Short Story of the Month"The Treasure of Lemon Brown" by Walter Dean Myers

Table of Contents

Terms of Use 2

Table of Contents 3

List of Activities, Common Core Standards Alignment, & Difficulty Levels 4

Digital Components/Google Classroom Guide 5

Teaching Guide, Rationale, Lesson Plans, and Procedures: EVERYTHING 6-11

Activity 1: Character Traits Interactive Notebook Activity folder

Activity 2: Characterization Quick Notes 12-13

Activity 3: Characterization Practice w/Key folder

Activity 4: Journal Response folder

Activity 5: Literal Comprehension Quiz 14-15

Activity 6: Plot Graphic Organizer w/Key 16-17

Activity 7: Annotation Guide 1: Characterization 18-21

Activity 8: Characterization Graphic Organizer (Greg) w/Key 22-24

Activity 9: Characterization Graphic Organizer (LemonB) w/Key 25-27

Activity 10: Static/Dynamic Characters INB Activity 28-29

Activity 11: Static/Dynamic Characters Practice Page w/Key 30-31

Activity 12: Dynamic Character Analysis (Greg) w/Key 32-33

Activity 13: Annotation Guide 2: Trace Theme Dev. 34-37

Activity 14: Theme Development Graphic Organizer w/Key 38-43

Activity 15: PARCC-Style Practice Quiz (Text Evidence) w/Key 44-47

Activity 16: Vocabulary Guide: Word Usage/Synonyms w/Key 48-49

Activity 17: Symbolism Quick Notes 50-51

Activity 18: Symbolism Graphic Organizer w/Key 52-53

Activity 19: Skills Test Regular w/Key 54-59

Activity 20: Skills Test Modified w/Key 60-65

Activity 21: Essential Question w/Key 66-67

TEKS ALIGNMENT 68

Activity 1: Character Traits Interactive Notebook Activity** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 2: Characterization Quick Notes* RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 3: Characterization Practice Page** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 4: Journal Response* SL.8.1

Activity 5: Literal Comprehension Quiz* RL.8.1, RL.8.3

Activity 6: Plot Graphic Organizer** RL.8.2, RL.8.1

Activity 7: Annotation Guide 1: Characterization*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 8: Characterization Graphic Organizer (Greg)*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 9: Characterization Graphic Organizer (LemonB)*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 10: Static/Dynamic Characters INB Activity* RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 11: Static/Dynamic Characters Practice Page** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 12: Dynamic Character Analysis (Greg)*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 13: Annotation Guide 2: Trace Theme Dev.*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 14: Theme Development Graphic Organizer*** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 15: PARCC-Style Practice Quiz (Text Evidence)** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 16: Vocabulary Guide: Word Usage/Synonyms* RL.8.1, RL.8.4

Activity 17: Symbolism Quick Notes** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 18: Symbolism Graphic Organizer** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 19: Skills Test Regular** RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 20: Skills Test Modified* RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.3

Activity 21: Essential Question*** RL.8.6, RL.8.1, RI.8.9, RL.8.2



Teacher’s Guide

Common Core Standards Alignment

List of Activities & Standards Difficulty Level: *Easy **Moderate ***Challenge



Teacher’s Guide

Instructions for Google Classroom Digital Components

All student activities are available in digital format compatible with Google Classroom. They are available in two formats: Google Slides and Google Forms.

Google SlidesFirst, I have made all student pages in Google Slides format. Students can simply add text boxes to any area they wish to type on. To access the Google Slides for this short story unit, copy and paste the link below into your browser:

link omitted in preview file

Google FormsI have made the assessments available in Google Forms. Here, they are self-grading, and I have set them all up with answer keys so they are ready to go for you. You’ll need to find these two files in your download folder to use Google Forms. The first file contains the links to the Forms, and the second file is explicit instructions for use.



Teaching Guide, Rationale, Lesson Plans, and ProceduresI have discussed here how I use each activity and included hints and links to help you, too. I went ahead and mapped out the days for you. Feel free to take or leave what you like. Even if you don’t plan to follow this schedule, I still recommend reading through this section to get the most out of these activities.

These lessons and activities were designed to meet the needs of eight graders during the middle part of the school year. The stories, activities, questions, and assessments will become increasingly rigorous and challenging as we progress through the year.

Teacher’s Guide

Day 11. Activity 1: 35 minutesMini-lesson on Character Traits – This is a separate file in the download folder. Look for the file named Act 1 Character Traits Lesson.pdf in the download folder where you found this file. This is an interactive notebook lesson from my All New Interactive Reading Literature Notebook, Volume 2. See complete lesson instructions and assembly directions within activity pages. Students will be able to use this foldable as a reference for the rest of the year when describing characters, so don’t skip this one even if you have already taught this without the reference foldable.2. Activity 2: 15 minutesCharacterization Quick Notes– Direct vs. Indirect Characterization. This is a new quick notes lesson not included with the interactive notebooks resources. Complete teacher’s notes can be found in the pre-filled template.3. Activity 3: 20 minutesCharacterization Printables – included as separate file in download folder. Students practice identifying different types of indirect characterization.

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3



Teacher’s Guide

Day 21. Activity 4: 5-10 minutesJournal prompt - discuss if desired. (Separate file in the download folder.)2. Read Story - 30 minutesRead story with class. If needed, copy and paste into your browser to find the text of the story: http://www.swl.k12.oh.us/Downloads/lemon%20brown%20student.pdfor http://mrkingrocks.com/files/tlb.pdfor http://www.swl.k12.oh.us/Downloads/The%20Treasure%20of%20Lemon%20Brown.doc3. Activity 5: 20 minutesLiteral Comprehension Quiz– Basic Comprehension (Recall Facts) This quiz checks for basic comprehension and recall of the story. There are no higher order thinking questions on this quiz, no inferring, no analyzing, no drawing conclusions, etc. so I do not recommend that students use a copy of the story for this quiz unless they need that as a testing accommodation. The purpose of this quiz for me is to make sure students carefully read the story and to make sure they can recall facts and details after they read.

Day 31. Activity 6: 25 minutesPlot Graphic Organizer – students map out the plot of this story. This should be a review by now, especially if you’re in the middle part of the school year.2. Activity 7: 35 minutesSecond read: Characterization Annotation Guide Here, students apply the knowledge from Activities 2-3. Pay careful attention to my “keys” near the bottom of the first page of the annotation guide. Students need to read the story a second time and annotate for indirect characterization of both Greg and Lemon Brown. I have them label T = Thoughts, W=Words, F=Feelings, C=Choices, A=Actions, R=Others’ Reactions to CharacterBlue highlighter for Greg and yellow for Lemon

Activity 4

Activity 5

Activity 6

Activity 7

2. Activity 8: 25 minutesComplete Characterization Analysis for Greg together, modeling answers for students while they keep up on their own papers. They can use these answers to assist them in the next activity. *Note that for this activity and the next I have included an extra version for scaffolding that only requires that students analyze the example given instead of first finding and then analyzing an appropriate example.3. Activity 9: 25 minutesComplete Characterization analysis for Lemon Brown with partners or small groups OR independently if this is not possible. Check for understanding. Regroup and discuss.



Teacher’s Guide

Day 4

Day 51. Activity 10: 20 minutesCharacter Types Mini-Lesson – I pulled this interactive notebook template from the full Types of Characters interactive notebook template I use with older grades. Here we’ll just focus on static/dynamic, otherwise students will confuse them with flat/round forever.2. Activity 11: 15 minutesCharacter Mini-Practice – Students practice deciding if the character in each synopsis is dynamic, static, or if there is not enough information included. Good and easy warm up for this content. 3. Activity 12: 30 minutesDynamic Character Analysis – Here students have to identify the event that caused change in character for Greg.

Activity 8

Activity 9

Activity 10

Activity 11

Activity 12

1. Activity 13: 30 minutesAnnotation Guide for Theme – I start this major deep

theme analysis by telling my students that the main theme(s) in this story revolve around Lemon Brown’s treasure. Brainstorm possible themes. Here are a few: (my main theme): The value of any treasure is defined not by its monetary worth but rather by its importance as judged by its owner.Relationships are more important than money.The bond between a father and son is a treasure.Then, in order to trace the development of theme in this story, we go back and annotate again. You can annotate over existing annotations or you can have students note-take parts of the story if writing on the pages isn’t an option. This activity can also be skipped altogether and just proceed to the next activity where they’ll analyze the parts already given to them.2. Activity 14– 45 minutesTheme DevelopmentTwo versions – first, students choose excerpts to analyze; second, I give them to students. Complete keys included as always. Students analyze how each mention of the treasure develops the theme further in the story. Major heavy hitting RL.8.2!



Teacher’s Guide

Day 6

Day 71. Activity 15: 30minutesText Evidence Practice Test – students practice answering comprehension questions about the story (all odd numbers) and then select the text evidence that most strongly supports their answer (all even numbers). Complete answer keys included as always.2. Activity 16: 30 minutesVocabulary Guide: Word Meaning & UsageNo frills vocabulary practice with words in context and choosing synonyms.

Activity 13

Activity 14

Activity 15

Activity 16

©2019 erin cobb imlovinlit.com


Teacher’s Guide

Day 81. Activity 17: 25 minutesComplete/discuss Symbolism Quick Notes to review common symbols in objects.2. Activity 18: 25 minutesSymbolism in The Treasure of Lemon Brown–This is another good one for group or partner discussion. Students think about the symbols in the story and brainstorm what each key object may represent.

Day 91. Activity 18: Skills TetComprehension Skills Test. Meant to be given along with a copy of the selection, though I wouldn’t allow students to use annotated selection unless it was a test modification. Keys included although not shown on the right. This test touches on the various activities throughout this unit to test for mastery. Questions 1-10 (pages 1-2) are multiple choice, and questions 11-12 (page 3) are extended response. I’ve included the specific CCSS skill tested with each question in green on the answer key.

Note that Activity 20is a modified version of this test – all answer choices are reduced to 2 instead of 4.

10

Activity 17

Activity 18

Activity 19

Activity 20



Teacher’s Guide

Day 10

11

1. Activity 21: 30-45 minutesEssential Question: Tie it all together. The big SHE-BANG. Boom-shakalaka. Hard stuff. Good luck. :)Students will need to view a video clip of The Lion King to complete answer 2. Find the video here:Youtube: https://youtu.be/O7fXfCZ4sB4Backup: https://goo.gl/Aop7hE


"The Treasure of Lemon Brown" by Walter Dean MyersShort Story of the Month Reading Literature

Apply: Characterization

Activity 7




Activity 7




Activity 9

Indirect Characterization Analysisof Lemon Brown in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”

Actions

Read the examples of indirect characterization of Lemon Brown in the story. Then, answer each question in the boxes next to the shapes.

What do these actions tell you about his character?

What does this choice tell you about his character?

Lemon Brown throws himself down the stairs to defend himself, his treasure, and Greg.

Lemon Brown carries his treasures –harmonica and old clippings –with him

always.

What to these words tell you about his character?

Words(to Greg) “You don’t give up the blues; they

give you up. After a while you do good for yourself, and it ain’t nothing but foolishness singing about

how hard you got it. Ain’t that right?



Focus: Static & Dynamic Characters

Activity 12 33

Char

acte

r: Gr

eg in

“The

Tre

asur

e of L

emon

Bro

wn”

Dyna

mic

Cha

ract

er

Ana

lysi

s

Greg

at th

e Beg

inning

of th

e Sto

ryGr

eg at

the E

nd of

the S

tory

Key E

vent

:W

hat p

robl

em d

oes G

reg

have

at t

he

begi

nnin

g of

the s

tory

?

How

doe

s Gre

g fee

l abo

ut h

is fa

ther

at

the b

egin

ning

of t

he st

ory?

Wha

t doe

s Gre

g lea

rn fr

om L

emon

Br

own?

Wha

t doe

s Gre

g de

cide

to d

o at

the

end

of th

e sto

ry?

How

doe

s thi

s sho

w

that

Gre

g ha

s cha

nged

sign

ifica

ntly

?

Wha

t eve

nt in

the s

tory

igni

tes a

ch

ange

in G

reg?

Whe

n th

e st

ory

begi

ns, G

reg

is

wor

ried

tha

t hi

s fa

ther

won

’t

allo

w h

im t

o pl

ay b

aske

tbal

l be

caus

e of

his

fai

ling

mat

h gr

ade.

Gre

g is

fru

stra

ted

wit

h hi

s fa

ther

at

the

begi

nnin

g of

the

st

ory.

His

fat

her

was

for

cing

a

hard

line

on

the

bask

etba

ll is

sue

beca

use

of G

reg’

s m

ath

grad

e,

and

Gre

g fe

els

it is

unf

air.

Gre

g m

eets

Lem

on B

row

n, a

ho

mel

ess

man

, and

the

tw

o w

ork

toge

ther

to

save

Lem

on

Brow

n’s

trea

sure

fro

m a

gro

up

of t

hugs

who

are

willing

to

com

mit

vio

lenc

e to

get

the

tr

easu

re.

Beca

use

of L

emon

Bro

wn’

s st

ory,

Gre

g di

scov

ers

that

a

man

’s g

reat

est

trea

sure

is t

he

lega

cy h

e pa

sses

on

to h

is s

on.

At

the

end

of t

he s

tory

, Gre

g is

rea

dy t

o go

hom

e an

d fa

ce

his

fath

er, k

now

ing

he w

ill ge

t a

lect

ure.

Gre

g no

w r

ealiz

es

that

the

lect

ure

com

es f

rom

a

plac

e of

love

. His

pos

tal-

wor

ker

fath

er w

ants

bet

ter

for

Gre

g th

an h

imse

lf.



Text Evidence Quiz

5. Why do the thugs come looking for Lemon Brown?a. The thugs believe Lemon Brown owes them money.b. The thugs are angry with Lemon Brown for squatting in their building.c. The thugs believe that Lemon Brown’s treasure is money.d. The thugs are angry with Lemon Brown for stealing from them.

6. Which piece of text evidence below most strongly supports your answer to the previous question?

a. “We heard you talking about your treasure.” The voice was slurred. “We just want to see it, that’s all.”

b. “Throw down your money, old man, so I won’t have to bash your head in!”c. “All I know is that I heard him talking about some kind of treasure.”d. “You know they found that shopping bag lady with that load of money in her

bags.”

7. While he’s talking to Greg, Lemon Brown is reminded of…a. a blues singer.b. his father.c. his son.d. his brother.

8. Which piece of text evidence below most strongly supports your answer to the previous question?

a. “I used to travel around and make money to feed my wife and Jesse—that’s my boy’s name. Used to feed them good, too.”

b. “What you doing here? How come you don’t go in home when the rain come? Rain don’t bother you young folks none.”

c. “They used to say I sung the blues so sweet that if I sang at a funeral, the dead would commence to rocking.”

d. “Had them big eyes like you got. I used to call them moon eyes. Look into them moon eyes and see anything you want.”

_____

_____

_____

_____

Activity 15


Short Story of the Month

Activity 21

Essential QuestionSkill: Integrate Information

from Varied Formats

1. What legacy did Lemon Brown pass down to his son? Why did he pass these items on?

2. View the Lion King video clip. What legacy did Mufasa pass on to his son, Simba? What does Simba realize he must do?

EQ: What legacy has someone passed on to you? Or, what legacy do you want to someday pass on to someone else?

"The Treasure of Lemon Brown" by Walter Dean Myers

Any answer that identifies something with personal and intrinsic, not external, value is sufficient.

To his son, Lemon Brown passed on the legacy of his Blues talents with his newspaper clippings and old harmonica. These items represent success. Lemon Brown says he wanted his son to understand “If you know your pappy did something, you know you can do something too.”

Mufasa passed on to his son, Simba, the legacy of being a leader, as Mufasa was the king. Simba has the same qualities of king inside of him and in this video clip, Simba realizes that he must assume his father’s legacy and take his place in the circle of life as the one true king.

Activity 1: Character Traits Interactive Notebook Activity** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 2: Characterization Quick Notes* 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 3: Characterization Practice Page** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 4: Journal Response* 5(E), 6(A)(I)

Activity 5: Literal Comprehension Quiz* 5(D)(F)(C)

Activity 6: Plot Graphic Organizer** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 7: Annotation Guide 1: Characterization*** 6(E)

Activity 8: Characterization Graphic Organizer (Greg)*** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 9: Characterization Graphic Organizer (LemonB)*** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 10: Static/Dynamic Characters INB Activity* 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 11: Static/Dynamic Characters Practice Page** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 12: Dynamic Character Analysis (Greg)*** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 13: Annotation Guide 2: Trace Theme Dev.*** 6(E) 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 14: Theme Development Graphic Organizer*** 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 15: PARCC-Style Practice Quiz (Text Evidence)** 5(D)(F)(C)

Activity 16: Vocabulary Guide: Word Usage/Synonyms* 2(B)

Activity 17: Symbolism Quick Notes** 7 (C)(D)

Activity 18: Symbolism Graphic Organizer** 7 (C)(D)

Activity 19: Skills Test Regular** 5(D)(F)(C) 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 20: Skills Test Modified* 5(D)(F)(C) 7(A)(B)(C)(D)

Activity 21: Essential Question*** 5(E)(H), 6(B)(G)(I)



Teacher’s Guide

TEKS 2017 Standards Alignment

List of Activities & Standards Difficulty Level: *Easy **Moderate ***Challenge

short story of the month - i'm lovin' lit

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