Stephan Maras

AP Language and Composition Fall 2015

Blocks 3, 5 and 7
Learning Targets
I can draw from textual evidence to identify literary devices from Jeannette Walls The
Glass Castle.
I can determine central themes and ideas from Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
I can identify main events in Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
I can write about central themes, ideas, main events based on textual evidence and literary
devices used in Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the
text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their
development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one
another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on
meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is
particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Materials
Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
Questions for fishbowl discussion on colored fish.
Rules for fishbowl discussion
Fish crackers including napkins, bowl and cups

Learning Objectives
Assessments
Formative Assessment will be made to determine comprehension based on events in The
Glass Castle.
Learning Plan
7:40 7:45:
11:30 11:35:
Today our learning targets are:
I can draw from textual evidence to identify literary devices from Jeannette Walls The
Glass Castle.
I can determine central themes and ideas from Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
I can identify main events in Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
I can write about central themes, ideas, main events based on textual evidence and literary
devices used in Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle.
In order to get there we will be:
Complete a fishbowl exercise featuring questions I put together for discussion.
(These are posted on screen)
Here are the fishbowl rules:
When inside the bowl:
1. Enter the bowl when called.
2. Select person within group to read the question.
3. DO NOT INTERRUPT who is speaking.
4. Be RESPECTFUL.
When outside of the bowl:
1. NO TALKING while those inside the fishbowl are in a discussion.
2. You are to TAKE NOTES on the points being made in the discussion.
3. The discussion may be opened up to the group to the discretion of the teacher(s).
4. Please respond to the question by a SHOW OF A HAND when a teachers calls your
name.
5. Be RESPECTFUL.
6. DO NOT INTERRUPT.
Each of you will get a chance to be inside the fishbowl.
One of you will select a question and read it to the class.
You will discuss your answers amongst your group.
The discussion will open to the entire class to the discretion of the teacher.
Once youre done you may take some fish crackers and then well move to the next group.
15 minutes for each question.
7:45 8:00:

11:35 11:50:
First Question:
If the Walls children had been taken away from their parent and home, what would they have
lost?
8:00 8:15:
11:50 12:05:
Second Question:
Do you think that the Walls parents gave their children less in order to appreciate more in the
future? Provide examples to go with your viewpoint.
8:15 8:30:
12:05 12:20:
Third Question:
Jeannette Walls has received a number of letters from her readers saying they can relate to her
events. What does this say about families? Is this something you can relate or is this a foreign
thought to you?
8:30 8:45:
12:20 12:35:
Fourth Question:
Jeannette Walls said that her mom was a snob and made her children feel superior to everyone
else, never describing themselves as poor. Is her optimism admirable or not? Is it delusional
or realistic? Explain why you think so?
8:45 8:50:
12:35 12:50:
Fifth Question:
In what various ways did Jeannette develop and change as a person from age three to her nighschool years (up to where youre at in the book)?
9:00 Bell:
12:55 Bell:
I will wrap up the discussion of todays materials. Was this easier to understand when you
had sections of the piece established?
Some classes may not have time for all the questions given the various lengths of discussion
from class to class.
Next week we will finish the last 50 pages of the book.
We will have a final quiz before the final projects are introduced.