ALEX Learning Activity

  

Internal Conflict in Short Fiction: Part I

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

You may save this Learning Activity to your hard drive as an .html file by selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Naomi Pryor
System:Butler County
School:Greenville High School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2817
Title:
Internal Conflict in Short Fiction: Part I
Digital Tool/Resource:
The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Full Text
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this activity, students will complete a word web, analysis of text evidence, and cloze notes to prepare to analyze how author James Hurst uses internal conflict in the short fiction piece "The Scarlet Ibis" to create meaning in the piece as a whole.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 9
4. Analyze how authors use characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view to create and convey meaning in a variety of texts.
Unpacked Content
Teacher Vocabulary:
4.
  • Characterization
  • Connotation
  • Denotation
  • Figurative language
  • Literary elements
  • Point of view
Knowledge:
4. Students know:
  • Authors choose to write from a particular point of view and use specific literary elements and vocabulary words to convey their intended meaning.
Skills:
4. Students are able to:
  • Identify characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view in a variety of texts.
  • Analyze how characterization, connotation, denotation, figurative language, literary elements, and point of view creates and conveys meaning in a variety of texts.
Understanding:
4. Students understand that:
  • Authors select particular literary elements and devices to create and convey meaning within their written work.
Learning Objectives:

The students will be able to describe characteristics of internal conflict.

The students will identify and describe internal conflict in short fiction.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:

1. The teacher will pass out the "The Scarlet Ibis" full text or assign it digitally.

2. The teacher will pass out the Scarlet Ibis Day 2 handout or assign it digitally.

3. The teacher will download and display the Scarlet Ibis Day 2 Presentation.

4. The students will complete the word web activity by rankling/listing words by the strength of connection to the words "pride" and "shame," following the presentation.

5. The teacher will set a timer for approximately three (3) minutes. After time is called, the students and the teacher should discuss answers.

6. The students will write the definitions of internal and external conflict on their handout.

7. The students will find direct quotes/text evidence examples of internal and external conflict in the first nine (9) paragraphs of the text.

8. The students will take notes on the specific characteristics of internal conflict.
Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will observe each student's handout to check for completion of the word web and cloze notes.

The teacher should collect handouts to make sure the text evidence examples listed for internal and external conflict reflect the given definitions of those terms.
Advanced Preparation:
Variation Tips (optional):
 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):

This may all be assigned digitally if the teacher cannot print and make copies.

For During Activity: Internal Conflict in Short Fiction: Part II

For After Activity: Internal Conflict in Short Fiction: Part III
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: 9th grade, conflict, external, internal, James Hurst, scarlet ibis