Section 1 · Web viewword study. word reference materials. content area study. writing process...

A Literature Circle Unit

On

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill

And

The Austere Academy

Author: Lemony Snicket

Grade 4

By Candice Lanham

This series of books focuses on three orphans, the Baudelaire children,

and the unfortunate events that affect their life. These books chronicle

their continuous run-ins with Count Olaf, who wants to gain control of

the Baudelaire children’s tremendous fortune.

Competency Goal 1

The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.

1.02 Select key vocabulary critical to the text and apply appropriate meanings as necessary for comprehension.

1.03 Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:

wide reading.

word study.

word reference materials.

content area study.

writing process elements.

writing as a tool.

debate.

discussions.

seminars.

examining the author’s craft.

1.04 Use word reference materials (e.g., glossary, dictionary, thesaurus, on-line reference tools) to identify and comprehend unknown words.

1.05 Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student’s independent reading level) to:

increase fluency.

build background knowledge.

expand and refine vocabulary.

Competency Goal 2

The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.

2.01 Use metacognitive strategies independently and flexibly to monitor comprehension and extend vocabulary (e.g., skim, scan, reread the text, consult other sources, ask for help, summarize, paraphrase, question).

2.02 Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by: making predictions.

formulating questions.

supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.

drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.

seeking additional information.

2.03 Read a variety of texts, such as: fiction (tall tales, myths).

nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).

poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).

drama (plays and skits).

2.04 Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:

plot development.

author’s choice of words.

effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).

2.05 Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).

2.06 Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).

2.07 Evaluate the usefulness and quality of information and ideas based on purpose, experiences, text(s), and graphics.

2.08 Explain and evaluate relationships that are:

causal.

hierarchical.

temporal.

problem-solution.

2.09 Listen actively and critically by: asking questions.

delving deeper into the topic.

elaborating on the information and ideas presented.

evaluating information and ideas.

making inferences and drawing conclusions.

making judgments.

2.10 Identify strategies used by a speaker or writer to inform, entertain, or influence an audience.

Competency Goal 3

The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.

3.01 Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:

analyzing word choice and content.

examining reasons for a character’s actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.

creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.

examining alternative perspectives.

3.02 Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.

3.03 Justify evaluation of characters and events from different selections by citing supporting evidence in the text(s).

3.06 Conduct research (with assistance) from a variety of sources for assigned or self-selected projects (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).

Competency Goal 4

The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.

4.01 Read aloud grade-appropriate text with fluency, comprehension, expression, and personal style demonstrating an awareness of volume, pace, audience, and purpose.

4.02 Use oral and written language to:

formulate hypotheses.

evaluate information and ideas.

present and support arguments.

influence the thinking of others.

4.03 Make oral and written presentations to inform or persuade selecting vocabulary for impact. 4.06 Compose a draft that elaborates on major ideas and adheres to the topic by using an appropriate organizational pattern that accomplishes the purpose of the writing task and effectively communicates its content.

4.08 Focus revision on target elements by:

improving word choice.

rearranging text for clarity.

creating simple and/or complex sentences for clarity or impact.

developing a lead, characters, or mood.

4.09 Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., clarification, essay, feature story, business letter).

4.10 Use technology as a tool to enhance and/or publish a product.

Competency Goal 5 The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.

5.01 Consistently use correct capitalization (e.g., names of magazines, newspapers, organizations) and punctuation (e.g., colon to introduce a list, commas in apposition, commas used in compound sentences). 5.02 Demonstrate understanding in speaking and writing by using:

troublesome verbs.

nominative, objective, and possessive pronouns. 5.03 Elaborate information and ideas in speaking and writing by using:

prepositional phrases.

transitions.

coordinating and/or subordinating conjunctions.

5.04 Determine the impact of word choice on written and spoken language.

5.05 Spell most commonly used words accurately using a multi-strategy approach to the learning of new spellings.

5.06 Proofread for accuracy of spelling using appropriate strategies to confirm spelling and to correct errors.

5.07 Edit final product for grammar, language conventions, and format.

5.08 Create readable documents through legible handwriting and word processing.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable MillSection 1 Pages 1-43

________________________________________________________________________

Character Sketcher - Your job is to identify a character’s actions and explain or prove these traits, identify the character’s goal, identify the problem and solution in the reading, and complete a sketch or illustration of the following. You may choose from the following characters: Violet, Klaus, Mr. Poe, or Phil.

Character – Mr. Poe

1. trait – sickly p. 5 par. 1Mr. Poe was very sickly because he was always coughing and was never able to complete a conversation without having to cough into his handkerchief.

2. trait – precise p. 9 par. 4Mr. Poe took extreme care and precision in describing Count Olaf and his associates to Sir so that he would not be able to kidnap the children.

3. trait – inattentive p. 8 par. 2-3Mr. Poe was very inattentive to the children and their needs because he did not even take the time to get off the train and take them to their new home. He just rushed back to his life without any concern for the children.

Character’s Goal – Mr. Poe wants to place the children in an appropriate home where they will be looked after, and he wants the least amount of burden placed on him as possible.

Character’s Problem – Mr. Poe needs to keep the children protected from Count Olaf so he is hoping that this new home will be safe enough for the children, but he does not yet know.

Possible Solution or Problem – Mr. Poe could be attentive to the children and their concerns and talk to them on a regular basis to make sure that everything is going as it should.

Sketch:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Passage Picker – Pick four passages that exhibit the following:

1 Descriptive1 Foreshadowing1 Informative1 Surprising

Descriptive – p. 11 par. 1

“Paltryville is …be: “Leave.”

This passage is descriptive because it explains in great detail the surroundings of their new town and all that it encompasses.

Based on the description of the town, what do you think that Violet and Klaus thought of their new home? I think that they were probably scared and hesitant because they did not know what to think of anything. They were probably very ready to see where they were going to live so that they could get a better idea of how they life was going to be.

The author probably included this passage in the story so that the readers would have some sympathy for the children and also so that we, the readers, would have an idea as to what kind of town the children would be living in.

Foreshadowing – p. 13-14 par. 3-4

“Varni,” Sunny… Count Olaf.”

This passage is foreshadowing because it gives the hint that Count Olaf may appear in the children’s future when they see the building in the shape of an eye.

How do you think the children felt when they saw the eye-shaped building?Based on this passage the children were probably very frightened and uneasy about moving to this town to begin with, and then when they saw the eye-shaped building they were probably even more scared because they felt the building was a sign of Count Olaf.

The author included this passage to let the readers know that the children were going to be seeing Count Olaf in some shape or form in their future. This passage was written to foreshadow that once again the children were not going to have a great new home because of Count Olaf.

_______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Informative – p. 5-6 par. 1

“What a … remotely helpful.”

This passage is very informative because it tells of the children’s past and of their troubles with Count Olaf.

Do you think that the children are finally going to be safe from Count Olaf in Paltryville?I think the children are very hopeful that they will be safe, but they are beginning to feel that Count Olaf will find them no matter where they are.

The author included this passage because there is vital information in it that readers must know before reading the rest of the book. One must know why the children are orphans and in search of a safe new home, or they will not understand the significance of Count Olaf.

Surprising – p. 17 par. 1

“Enclosed you … and diligent.”

This passage is surprising because one would not expect children to work at a lumber mill. However, that is exactly what the Baudelaire children found out that they were to be doing.

How do you think the Baudelaire children felt when they read the note left to them?The children were probably very shocked and confused. They were probably hoping that it was just all a big mistake that would be cleared up soon. They didn’t even want to think that the note was true.

The author included this passage as another reminder that the Baudelaire children were not going to have an easy time in their new home. This passage just helped reinforce the earlier passage that the children were going to have a difficult time in their future.

Word Wizard – Your job is to complete the role sheet for four of the following words.

Mischief - p. 2 par. 1Grimy- p. 3 par. 1Edible – p. 4 par. 1Acquire – p. 11 par. 1Assiduous – p. 17 par. 1Optimist – p. 26 par. 3________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Mischief

“And if you like mischief, a grand old time, or trophies, you would know which book to read, and you could throw the rest of them away.”

Noun I think the word means to be sneaky or to cause trouble. Mischief – a troublesome or annoying act; prank, playful, vexing trick This word adds meaning to the plot because it is describing an opening scene in the

book.

Edible

“Klaus liked to read more than anything, and he tried to remember what he had learned about Paltryville mosses and whether any of them were edible.”

Adjective I think that edible means something you can eat. Edible – anything fit to be eaten; food. This word is used by Klaus when he is trying to find out if something Sunny is biting

is safe to eat.

Acquire

“If you are ever planning a vacation, you may find it useful to acquire a guidebook.” Verb I think that acquire means to get or gain something. Acquire – to get or gain by one's own efforts or actions. This word is used in the passage that describes the town of Paltryville.

Optimist

“The children could tell, from Phil’s statement about everything and everybody having a good side, that he was an optimist.”

Noun I think an optimist is used to describe someone who always looks on the bright side of

things. Optimist – the tendency to take the most cheerful or hopeful view of matters or to

expect the best outcome. This word is used to describe Phil, an employee of Sir, the children’s guardian.

________________________________________________________________________

Discussion Director – Your job is to ask six questions, the answers to your questions, and the page and paragraph number of where the answer is found if possible. Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 Thinking Question on your own1 Cause/Effect2 Prediction1 Problem/Solution1 MCEOG

Q: What do you think the children were thinking as they traveled to their fourth new home in only a short matter of time? P. 3 Par. 2A: I think the children were probably very frightened and scared to be moving to another new place. They were also thinking the Count Olaf was going to find them again, so they were very hesitant to embrace their new home without any worries.

________________________________________________________________________

Q: Do you think it is just a coincidence that there is a building in Paltryville that is in the shape of an eye or do you predict that Count Olaf is behind it?A: I think that it would be too much of a coincidence for there to be a building in the shape of an eye. I feel he has followed the children to Paltryville and he is planning his next attack.

Q: Why are the children having to work and live at the lumber mill? P.5-6 Par. 1A: Their parents died in a horrible fire, so as a result their parent’s executor is having to find them a new home. All of their past guardians have been horrible and they keep having to move because Count Olaf keeps finding out where they are.

Q: What problem did the children encounter at lunchtime, and can the fix the problem? P. 40-42 Par. 1-8A: They were only given one meal a day, and that was dinner. For lunch, they were each given a piece of bubble gum. Sunny couldn’t even chew bubble gum because she was a baby. They had hardly any nutrition to keep them energized in order to perform their backbreaking labor.

Q: Do you predict that their new guardian will treat the children any better than their past guardians?A: So far I think that it seems that luck is not in the children’s favor. Everytime something bad happens, it seems like the situation can’t get any worse, but then it does. This may be the situation with the new guardian.

Q: Which of the following best describes their new job? P. 38-39 Par. 1A: a. fun b. easy c. difficult d. rewarding

________________________________________________________________________

Summarizer – Your job is to prepare a brief summary of this section. Include in your summary the beginning, middle, and end of the section.

The Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny traveled on a train to Paltryville with Mr. Poe. Once in Paltryville they wondered through the town to the lumbermill where they were to meet their new guardian, Sir. On their way, they passed a building in the shape of an eye, which suspiciously reminded them of Count Olaf, their enemy. Once they arrived at the lumbermill the received a note instructing them where to go to next. In the note they were informed that they would begin work at the lumbermill the next day. This shocked the children because they did not know they were going to be working.

They then went to the gray building that was going to be their new home. There was some confusion at first, as to why the children were there because no one had been

told that they were coming. Once the confusion was settled, the children settled into their new dorm. The next day, the children went to their first day of work. They were shocked by the incredible amount of work that was expected of them. Then, to top things off nobody was given any lunch, only a stick of gum. Just as they were wondering if their day could get any worse, the three children were called to report to the main office.


Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Phil, or Sir.________________________________________________________________________


1 Descriptive1 Interesting1 Fact/opinion1 On your own


Askew - p. 46 par.1Humblest – p. 49 par. 1Guardian – p. 53 par. 2Wretched – p. 58 par. 2Ocular – p. 61 par. 1Dismay – p. 80 par. 1________________________________________________________________________


1 Cause/Effect1 Prediction1 Problem/Solution1MCEOG1 Character1 Thinking Question on your own

________________________________________________________________________Connector – Your job is to connect the book to the outside world. Write a paragraph, connecting the following passage from the book to your life or someone you know.

Page 79 Paragraph 1

“As anyone who has ever been to a doctor knows, doctors are not necessarily your friends…”

There are several times in my life when I have had to go to the doctor. Doctor offices are not my favorite place in the world, but there are certain time when visiting a doctor is necessary. One of the most recent times I can think of is when I had to go to the infirmary to get my health form checked off for student teaching. I was not looking forward to this visit because I was told that I would have to get a Tuberculosis shot, and I do not like shots. However, I knew that if I wanted to do my student teaching next semester, then I would have to go to the infirmary, which I did although I did not enjoy it at all. Klaus had to go to the eye doctor. He did not want to go, but it was a necessity for him to go so that he would be able to see again, just as it was necessary for me to get my shot.

_____________________________________________________________________


Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Shirley, or Sir.________________________________________________________________________


1 Surprising1 Informative1 Scary1 Important

________________________________________________________________________


Hypnotized – p. 105 par. 7Cautiously – p. 108 par. 2Nefarious – p. 109 par. 1

Imprinted – p. 119 par. 2Emphasized – p. 131 par. 4Clumsy – p. 136 par. 1


1 Problem/Solution1 Cause/ Effect2 Prediction1 Compare/Contrast1 Thinking Question on your own

________________________________________________________________________



Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Phil, or Sir.


1 Descriptive1 Figurative Language1 Surprising1 Scary________________________________________________________________________


Gloomy – p. 141 par. 1Cruelly – p. 142 par. 1Requisite – p. 143 par. 1Precarious – p. 147 par. 1Fatal – p. 164 par. 1

Immoderate – p. 165 par. 1________________________________________________________________________


1 MCEOG1 Character1 Hero Question1 Problem/Solution2 Thinking Questions on you own

Connector – Your job is to connect the book to the outside world. Write a paragraph, connecting the following passage from the book to your life or someone you know.

Page 149 Paragraph 1

“When you are trying to figure out a difficult problem..…it is often helpful to discuss the problem with other people in order to come up with a quick and useful solution.”________________________________________________________________________

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere AcademySection 5 Pages 1-53

Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Mr. Poe, or Nero.


1 Fact/opinion1 Descriptive1 Informative1 On your own

Word Wizard – Your job is to complete the role sheet for five of the following words.

Distressing – p. 1 par. 1Adversity – p. 2 par. 1Sinister – p. 12 par. 1Ferocious – p. 19 par. 4

Administrative – p. 22 par. 3Mandatory – p. 25 par. 1Territorial – p. 33 par. 1

________________________________________________________________________


1 MCEOG1 Prediction1 Character1 Setting1 Cause/Effect1 Thinking Question on your own


________________________________________________________________________

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere AcademySection 6 Pages 55-119

Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Mrs. Bass, or Mr. Remora.


1 Descriptive1 Foreshadowing1 Surprising1 Figurative language


Scarcely – p. 61 par. 1Inconceivable – p. 70 par. 1Suspicious – p. 80 par. 2Austere – p. 84 par. 1

Dismay – p. 95 par. 1Sneered – p. 98 par. Treacherous – p. 108 par. 1


1 Problem/Solution1 Prediction1 MCEOG1 Character2 Thinking Question on your own

________________________________________________________________________

Connector – Your job is to connect the book to the outside world. Write a paragraph, connecting the following passage from the book to your life or someone you know.

Page 85 Paragraph 10

“Remember the picnic?” Violet said.

________________________________________________________________________

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill Section 7 Pages 121-187

Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Duncan, or Isadora.


1 Descriptive1 Informative1 Surprising1 Scary

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________


Wincing – p. 121 par. 4Luminous – p. 124 par. 1Blearily – p. 137 par. 1Ruefully – p. 147 par. 3Masquerade – 168 par. 1Arousing – p. 172 par. 4Merely – p. 175 par. 3


1 Prediction1 MCEOG1 Cause/Effect1 Hero Question2 Thinking Questions on your own


A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill Section 8 Pages 187-221

Character Sketcher - Your job is to sketch one of the following characters (that you did not sketch the last time in your group): Violet, Klaus, Principal Nero, or Count Olaf.


1 Figurative language1 Informative1 Interesting1 On your own

________________________________________________________________________


Instructive – p. 193 par. 1Distressed – p. 197 par. 1Foisted – p. 203 par. 3Bizarre – p. 204 par. 5Prejudice – p. 206 par. 3Woeful – p. 211 par. 1Dreadful – p. 218 par. 2


1 Character1 Problem/Solution1 MCEOG1 Cause/Effect1 Prediction1 Thinking Question on your own

________________________________________________________________________

Investigator - Your job is to research relevant and important information that deals with Mr. Poe and his duties as executor of the Baudelaire children’s fortune. Go to the website http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/executor/executor.htm to help you get started on your research. After you have completed your research you should be able to answer the following questions:

Who can be an executor?What are the responsibilities of an executor?List some of the duties that one may be required to perform as an executor.If named executor, are you obligated to accept the responsibility? Why or why not?If chosen to be an executor would you accept the responsibility? Why or Why not?

An executor can be any person over the age of 18 who hasn’t been convicted of a felony. Some people choose a lawyer, accountant or financial consultant because of his or her expertise. Others choose to appoint a spouse, adult child, relative or friend, especially if the estate is small. Generally, a family member or friend expects little or no pay for settling the estate and is anxious to get things settled quickly and smoothly.

Your first responsibility as an executor is to initiate the formal process of proving the authenticity of the deceased person's will and confirming your assignment as executor. You'll need to file an application to appear before the probate court. Next, you

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/executor/executor.htm

need to notify all parties named as beneficiaries that you have applied to the court to process the will. When you appear in probate court you'll need the original signed will and a certified copy of the death certificate. A person who challenges a will, or part of a will, must file an objection with the court within a specified amount of time (check your state laws). Challenges to wills can be time-consuming and costly to the estate. Your last step is to finalize the estate by filing papers with the probate court. The executor must also provide evidence of distribution of the remaining assets, such as signed receipts from the beneficiaries. When the court recognizes the completion of the probate process, you are released from further responsibility as executor.

As an executor, you need to be sure and do several things. First, one must locate the will, obtain a lawyer, if necessary, apply to appear before the probate court, notify beneficiaries named in the will, arrange for publication of notice to creditors and mail a notice to each known creditor. One must also, Send notices of the person's death to the post office, utilities, banks and credit card companies, inventory all assets and have them appraised, if necessary, collect debts owed to the estate, and check with deceased's employer for unpaid salary, insurance and other employee benefits.

If named an executor you are legally obligated to act in the interests of the deceased, following the wishes expressed in his or her will. One can hire professional help, such as an attorney to help with the probate process or an accountant to file taxes.If I were chosen to be an executor I would accept the responsibility because that person had put their trust in me to carry out their final wishes. I would feel guilty if I tried to put the responsibility off on someone else.

________________________________________________________________________

Section 1 · Web viewword study. word reference materials. content area study. writing process...

Documents

Transcript of Section 1 · Web viewword study. word reference materials. content area study. writing process...