Activity 1.16: Analyzing a Story

Activity 1.16: Analyzing a Story

Objectives:

​CO: We will analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. (RL.6.5)

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​Google Classroom for Article

​Learning Targets pg. 80

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• ​Analyze the theme of a short story.

  Interpret text passages and create images to represent key developments of theme and plot.

Preview

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• In this activity, you will read a short story and analyze its theme.

​Setting a Purpose for Reading

• ​The short story you are about to read is a science fiction story. Science fiction is a genre in which the imaginary elements of the story could be scientifically possible. Science fiction differs from fantasy in that it is possible that the story could happen. In some respects, the imaginary elements in the next story have already happened. The story was written in 1951. Think about the developments in technology since that time. IBM introduced the personal computer in August of 1981—30 years after this story was written. As you read the story, underline clues about the setting of the story.

• Circle unknown words and phrases. Try to determine the meaning of the words by using context clues, word parts, or a dictionary.

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Open Ended

What do you think the story, "The Fun They Had" is about? 

First Read

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• Students will be following the reading with their fingers or paper.

• ​The teacher will be scouting for students who are following along with the audio.

Open Ended

Write any additional questions you have about the story, "The Fun They Had."

Multiple Choice

In what year is the story set?

• 2700

• 2157

• 1955

• 2020

Multiple Choice

How do readers first learn that the story is set in the future?

• TOMMY'S COMMENT ABOUT THE UTILITY OF TELEBOOKS AS COMPARED TO BOOKS PRINTED ON PAPER

• BY MARGIE'S FIRST MENTION OF HER MECHANICAL TEACHER

• BY MARGIE'S THOUGHT THAT HER GRANDFATHER'S GRANDFATHER WAS THE LAST TO USE BOOKS PRINTED ON PAPER

• BY THE DATE OF MARGIE'S DIARY ENTRY

Multiple Choice

How Old Is Margie?

• 11

• 15

• 24

• 4

Multiple Choice

What description best matches the County Inspector's appearance?

Multiple Choice

What two things does the County Inspector do when he arrives at Margie's house?

• HE GIVES MARGIE AN APPLE, AND THEN GIVES HER ANOTHER GEOGRAPHY TEST.

• HE SMILES AT MARGIE, AND TAKES THE MECHANICAL TEACHER AWAY.

• HE GIVES MARGIE AN APPLE, AND HE TAKES THE MECHANICAL TEACHER AWAY.

• HE GIVES MARGIE AN APPLE, AND HE TAKES THE MECHANICAL TEACHER APART.

Multiple Choice

[Margie was scornful. "School? What's there to write about school?"]

Choose the emoji the would best describe Margie's scornful face

Multiple Choice

Which image is the closest match to Margie's mechanical teacher?

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of the story?

• Schools of the future have teachers that teach to a child's ability

• Learning about the past is important, because it shows changes of the future.

• Education is transformative and compelling with technology

• Digitalized education with no social interactions is unappealing

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of the story?

• School is better in the future, because there is a robot teacher.

• Tommy should share his book, so Margie can learn about old schools.

• Learning about the past is important, because it shows change.

• Learning without technology provides more social interaction.

Multiple Choice

Why do Margie and Tommy find the book interesting?

• It was very old and printed on paper

• They liked to read books

• The pages were full of colorful pictures

• The story was written by their favorite author

Multiple Choice

The story takes place in the

• past

• present

• future

Multiple Choice

What is the conflict in the story?

• Margie's robot teacher is giving her too many tests.

• Margie hates school and thinks about the fun the kids had at school in the old days.

• Tommy won't let Margie read the old book.

• Margie has to learn about geography and fractions.

Multiple Choice

Which word best describes the mood of the story?

• fearful

• sympathetic

• optimistic

• cheerful

​3. RA.C.E Strategy

Does Margie’s attitude toward school change by the end of the story? Explain.

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