Mr. Steel
Overview:
During this unit of study, students will read a
broad selection of short stories. They will have the opportunity to write about
these stories, assessing them both on the simple level of summarization as well
as on the deeper level of thematic analysis. Students will gain working
familiarity with literary terminology and the general structure of stories.
This unit will also provide students with the opportunity to gain more
experience with multiple choice reading comprehension tests, which figure
prominently both in departmental as well as provincial examinations. Finally,
students will also have the opportunity to work on their essay composition
skills during this unit of study.
Assessment:
ð
Short Daily Written Submissions:
In complete sentences and in paragraph, all students will be required to write
daily story notes that summarize their understanding of what happens in each
story. At the end of these notes, students should include a list of at least
THREE challenging words with their definitions. Also, students will be expected
to end these brief written submissions with a statement about what they
perceive to be the theme or lesson of the story. (1 page double-spaced) These
story notes will help students remember the stories for exams at the end of the
semester, and they will act as preliminary work for their thematic essay
writing.
ð
Daily Multiple Choice Reading Comprehension
Questions: after we have completed each short story as a
class, students will be able to practice for their departmental exams (and
provincial exams in the long term) in the form of short open-book quizzes.
ð
In-class Personal Response/Critical Essay: Students
will write either a personal response or a critical essay (as assigned by the
teacher in class) on a stipulated theme. Students will make use of one or two
of the short stories we have read in class to complete this major assignment.
ð
Short Story Terminology Test: Students
will be responsible for basic knowledge of short story terminology.
Itinerary of
Readings:
Author and Title of Story
|
|
1. Will
Stanton, “Barney” |
|
2. Anne Hart, “The Friday Everything Changed” |
|
3. Arthur Gordon, “The Sea Devil” |
|
4. Mary Peterson, “The Carved Table” |
|
5. Gabrielle Roy, “Alicia” |
|
6. Hugh Garner, “The Father” |
|
7. Elizabeth Brewster, “The Old Woman” |
|
8. Howard O’Hagan, “A Mountain Journey” |
|
9. Ernest Buckler, “Penny in the Dust” |
|
10. Jane Rule, “A Television Drama” |
|
11. Yves Theriault,
“The Whale” |