Oliver Hyde’s Dishcloth Concert

by Richard Kennedy

Session 1

We are going to read a story about a manwho cannot stop mourning the death of his wife.

Prereading (5-10 min)

• Have you ever tried to comfort someone, but you couldn’t?

• If so, what did you do or say?

• How did it feel to not be able to help someone you care about?

We are going to read a story about a man

who cannot stop mourning the death of

his wife.

Prereading (5-10 min)

Prereading (5-10 min)

• How do you prefer to be comforted?

• Do you think the person preferred to stay sad, or do you think he or she wanted to be cheered up?

• What might be a special or unusual way to comfort someone

While I’m reading…

1) Mark with a “C” places where you connect something in the text with your knowledge or

experience.

2) Mark with a “?” places where you have a question about the story.

First Reading (15-20 min)

Student name Student question (*) means speculative – not as useful

1)2)3)4)5)6)7)8)9)10)11)

Sharing Questions (15-20 min)

Session 2

While I’m reading…

1) Mark with a “-” places where Oliver shelters himself

2) Mark with a “+” places where Oliver opens himself up

3) Think about why you choose these places as you make your notes

Second Readingwith Directed Notes (45 min)

Session 3

Vocabulary (20 min)

bittern

ess

wretched

fretful

Session 4

Shared Inquiry Discussion (45 min)

• Why does Oliver agree to play the fiddle as long as everyone else wears a dishcloth on his or her head?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a “wretched time” at the wedding party?

Shared Inquiry Discussion (45 min)

Why does Oliver want the people to have a

“wretched time” at the wedding party?

Shared Inquiry Discussion (45 min)

• Why does Oliver feel that the townspeople have tricked him into playing at their party?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a “wretched time” at the wedding party?

Shared Inquiry Discussion (45 min)

Why does Oliver want the people to have a “wretched time” at the wedding party?

• Why does Oliver keep his promise to play at the party, even though he feels tricked?

Shared Inquiry Discussion (45 min)

• Why does Oliver feel “a little mean” about playing sad songs after thinking of his own bride?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a “wretched time” at the wedding party?

Session 5

Creative Writing: Your Own Ending (45-60 min)

What if Oliver had entered the barn where the wedding was

being held instead of going to the wrong one?• Brainstorm• Rough draft• Final draft