St. Johns County School District



Name:______________________________ Class Period:______Story: “The Ravine” Author: Graham SalisburyUnit: The 5 Story Elements (Setting, Characters, Conflict, Plot & Theme)Story ElementsDaily Assignments SETTING341249057150“The Ravine” Day 1Directions: Read pages 3-6. Answer questions 1-8. 00“The Ravine” Day 1Directions: Read pages 3-6. Answer questions 1-8. What is your greatest fear? Why? Explain using details and descriptive language._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Define “setting”:_______________________________________________________The setting of a story can give clues about the story’s : _______________________ , _______________________& _____________________Setting Question: What is most important about the setting of the story “The Ravine”? (page 3)The ravine is muddy, mossy and slippery.The ravine is located in a jungle located in Hawaii.The ravine is a dangerous place where a boy died.The ravine has a deep pond with sparkling cascades and rivulets.Setting Question/ Author’s Purpose Question: How does the author of “The Ravine” create a creepy, mysterious mood throughout the story? He constantly brings up Butchie’s death through Vinny’s thoughts.He describes the characters unique Hawaiian nicknames.He describes the fun the characters have when jumping off the fifty-foot ledge.He tells the readers about Joe-boy and Starlene’s underwater kiss. Vocabulary/Context Clues Question: Read the following sentence (page 4, line 21)“…the ravine fell through a twisted jungle of gnarly trees and underbrush..”What does the word gnarly mean as used in the sentence above?straightannoyingsoakedtwistedCharacter/Inference Question: Read the following excerpt: (page 6, line 110)“… She said never come to this pond again. It was off-limits. Permanently. But not his dad. “You fall off a horse you get back on, Right? Or else you going be scared all your life” What can the reader infer about Vinny’s family from this conversation?A. Vinny is upset because his parents argue and can’t agree with each other. B. Vinny agrees with his mother about going to the ravine.C. Vinny feels comfortable with being at the ravine.D. Vinny’s parents have different point of views and probably confuse him.Vocabulary/Context Clues Question:Select two answers that best describe how Vinny feels about being at the ravine? excited and adventurousnervous and anxiouscalm and peacefulpressured and conflictedCHARACTERS“The Ravine” Day 2Directions: Read pages 6-9 and answer questions 1-8.What are character traits? What can you use to figure out what a character’s traits are?An adjective is a descriptive word. Adjectives are “sparkle words”. List 2 adjectives that describe each character:For example: Butchie - Dead MysteriousVinny- __________________ __________________ Starlene- __________________ __________________ Mo- Follower, fearless (on pg. 3, line 9 it says, “Mo, who was afraid of nothing”)Joe-Boy-__________________ __________________ How would you describe Joe-Boy? How does he treat Vinny? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Read the following sentence that takes place after Starlene jumps: (page 8, line 185)“Ten seconds, Twenty, Thirty…She came back up laughing…..”Why does the author count the time Starlene is under water?To create suspense and show Starlene is a risky person.To show how deep the water in the pond is.To show Starlene can hold her breath for a long time.To show how quickly someone can drown. Character/Inference Question Read the following line after Starlene jumps: (page 8, line 187)“She came back up laughing. She shouldn’t make fun that way. Vinny thought. It was dangerous. It was disrespectful. It was asking for it”What does Vinny mean by “It was asking for it”?Vinny thinks that Starlene wants to endanger her friend’s lives.Vinny feels as though Starlene is not taking Butchie’s death seriously.Vinny thinks that Starlene is mentally unstable and needs immediate help.Vinny feels that Starlene is a show off and seeking attention from her peers.Character/Author’s Purpose Question: Read the below excerpt. (page 9, lines 212-217)Starlene torpedoed over, swimming underwater. Her body glittered in the small amount of sunlight that penetrated the trees around the rim of the ravine. When she came up, she broke the surface smoothly, gracefully, like a swan. Her blond hair sleeked back like river grass.The author uses the descriptive language above to show that Starlene isIntroverted, shy and quietConfident, calm and beautifulFunny, goofy and awkwardDangerous, confused and angryCharacter/Inference QuestionPart A. What motivates Vinny to finally climb up the zig-zag trail to the fifty-foot ledge? Why does he decide to climb up even though he is afraid?(pages 8 & 9)He wants to experience the thrill of the jump.The peer pressure and he wants to “fit in”. He wants Starlene to leave Joe-Boy and love him.He wants to enjoy the view from the fifty foot ledge.Part B. Which sentence is evidence for your answer to #7? Cite Text Evidence:“He’s in a good place right now. He’s her prince.”“Vinny got up and hiked around the edge of the pond.”“Come on, Mo. Not you, too. Vinny knew now that he would have to jump.”“Vinny felt at peace. Completely and totally calm.” CONFLICTPLOTTHEME“The Ravine” Day 3Directions: Read pages 10-12 and answer questions 1-10.Define “plot”:_______________________________________________________Define “theme”:_______________________________________________________Conflict QuestionWhat is the major conflict in the story “The Ravine”? What is the biggest problem?Starlene is unstable and her adventurous spirit may get everyone in trouble.The search and rescue divers cannot find Butchie’s body.Vinny is a follower and afraid to stand up for himself.Vinny disobeyed his mother and may be given at home consequences. Plot QuestionsHow does Vinny’s decision to NOT jump off the ledge affect the plot (events) of the story? (page 12)Vinny’s decision to not jump is the turning point in the story and helps him gain a peace he has never felt before.Vinny’s decision to not jump is the turning point in the story and now he is worried about being bullied.Vinny’s decision to not jump makes him want to study the land and learn more about his Hawaiian culture.Vinny’s decision to not jump makes him sad because now he has no friends.Read the below excerpt. (page 12, lines 336-339)“He’d never seen anything like it. Had it always been here? This view of the island? He stared and stared, then sat, taking it in. He’d never seen anything so beautiful in all his life.”How do these sentences enhance (add to) the ending of the story?These sentences show the reader that Vinny has never seen Hawaii before.These sentences show the reader that Vinny is missing his friends already.These sentences prove that Vinny has matured and is looking at life in a new way.These sentences prove that Vinny has not changed at all.How does Vinny’s character develop by the conclusion (end) of the story? (page 12)A Vinny becomes brave enough to jump off of the fifty foot ledge.B Vinny remains a follower who seeks out his peer’s approvalC Vinny learns to accept himself and listen to his inner voice.D Vinny becomes embarrassed about not jumping and worries that he lost all of his friends.Theme Questions: Part A: What is the overall theme (life lesson) of the story “The Ravine”? (all pages)Always listen to your parents or else bad things will happen.People can be mysterious and dangerous.Be a leader and always follow your heart.Stay away from places where people have died.Part B. Select one sentence that supports the theme of the story? (all pages)Cite Text Evidence“Joe-Boy yelled, then Starlene, both of them waving.” “Then something very strange happened….”“Thoughts and feelings swarmed, stinging him: Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!”“Vinny felt at peace, completely and totally calm…he would not jump.”Based on the theme of the entire story, what might Vinny do in the future? (page 12)Follow the crowd and continue to listen to everything his friends say.Finally jump of the fifty-foot ledge and try to earn his friends back.Continue to investigate Butchie’s death.Start making his own decisions in life and become a braver person.What is another theme (life lesson) that a reader can learn from the story “The Ravine”? (all pages)Parents can sometimes be overprotective and annoying when they argue.Legends never die and will be passed down from generation to generation. True friends will not peer pressure you, they will love you no matter what.You should never try extreme sports like surfing and cliff diving. Name:______________________________ Class Period:______EXTRA CREDIT ACTIVITYArgument writing question: To Jump or Not to Jump—Imagine that you are Vinny’s guardian angel. What advice would you give Vinny? List reasons why Vinny should jump and reasons he should not jump. “VINNY, YOU SHOULD JUMP BECAUSE”……….“VINNY, YOU SHOULD NOT JUMP BECAUSE”…………1.2.3.4.5.1.2.3.4.5.What is your final decision? What would YOU do if you were Vinny? ................
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