Lesson 1

Lesson Goals

Texts

Core

• • “A Rose for Emily,” William Faulkner, Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, 1930
  • “Advice to Youth,” excerpt from Europe and Elsewhere, Mark Twain, Public Domain, 1882
  • “Corn-Pone Opinions,” excerpt from Europe and Elsewhere, Mark Twain, Public Domain, 1901
  • “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Mark Twain, Public Domain, 1867
  • “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1948
  • “The War Prayer,” excerpt from Europe and Elsewhere, Mark Twain, Public Domain, 1923

Optional

• • Biography of Mark Twain, The Mark Twain House and Museum, The Mark Twain House and Museum

• • “Advice to Youth, excerpt from Europe and Elsewhere,” Mark Twain, Public Domain, 1882

Materials

Tools

• Vocabulary Journal

Reference Guides

• Annotating and Note-Taking Reference Guide
• Narratives Reference Guide
• Questioning Reference Guide

Question Sets

• Telling Stories: Section 3 Lesson 1 Question Set

Editable Google Docs

• Telling Stories: Section 3 Lesson 1 Question Set

• Vocabulary Journal

Activity 1: Discuss

We will focus on the Storyteller’s voice in first-person narration by reading a humorous sketch by Mark Twain. We will begin by thinking about the stories we have read so far and how they have been told. We also will review concepts and elements related to the narrative point of view through which stories can be presented.

As a class, discuss the elements of narration having to do with who tells the story: narrative pointof view, first-andthird-person narration, omniscient narration,and narrative voice. Identify and review the narrative points of view of the stories read so far in the unit, connecting the stories to the concepts of narrative voice and the question, "Who tells the story?"

Then, read the first-person humorous sketch, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain, paying attention to who tells the story, and Twain’s use of two contrasting narrative voices.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss

We will build our knowledge of Mark Twain and his use of first-person narration in humorous sketches, essays, and personal narratives.

Expand your understanding of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) as a celebrated American humorist, writer, and speaker by reading and discussing a short Mark Twain biography.

Activity 3: Discuss – Listen

We will listen to a reading of Twain’s famous humorous sketch, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog Of Calaveras County.”

Follow along with the text as you listen to a reading of Twain’s famous humorous sketch, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Then consider the following text-specific questions as you discuss the story as a class:

1. There are two narrative voices in the story: the narrator's and Simon Wheeler’s. How do their storytelling styles compare, and how does this contrast contribute to the humor of the story? Provide specific examples from the text.

2. Is there a point to, or theme of, this story? If so, what might it be? If not, what does that say about it as a story? What evidence from the text offers the strongest support for this interpretation?

Activity 4: Discuss – Read

We will read and discuss an example of Twain’s use of first-person narration in a humorous essay, “Advice To Youth.”

Read "Advice to Youth" and discuss this essay as a class, paying attention to the narrator’s voice, examples of the facetious suggestions Twain makes, and the humorous approach he takes in offering his advice to young people. As you discuss the essay, cite specific examples from the text of suggestions you find humorous, and explain why.

Write new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.

Activity 5: Read – Write

For homework, we will read two narrative essays by Mark Twain, “Corn Pone Opinions” and “The War Prayer,” and will develop text-based observations about their similarities and differences.

For homework, read "Corn-Pone Opinions" and "The War Prayer," both by Mark Twain. Then develop an evidence-based claim about how they compare as stories and essays.