Contemporary American Literature Group Project



Short Story Literature Group Project

Honors English 1-2

Pierce

Over the next few weeks, we will be studying Short Story Literature. As part of that, groups will teach/present a short story to the class.

The Requirements:

▪ Read and understand the literature you are assigned.

▪ Create a handout with ten HOT discussion questions on it about the story. The questions may not have one or two word answers; rather, they should be able to be answered in several sentences. YOU MUST HAVE ENOUGH COPIES FOR ENTIRE CLASS!!! – Make 35 copies so there is enough for everyone.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

HOT Questions:

Hot questions are “Higher Order Thinking” questions. Your HOT questions MUST include questions on the following standards:

▪ Theme

▪ Point of View

▪ Tone

▪ Characterization

▪ Foreshadowing

▪ Protagonist/Antagonist

▪ Plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

▪ Create an answer key for your HOT questions (answer the questions in complete sentences).

▪ Create a ten question multiple choice quiz with four [realistic] options for answers (email to Pierce before the presentation day with answer key).

▪ Create a separate answer key for the quiz. Please note that the quiz questions for each presentation will be given as a warm-up for the follow day’s presentation. The quiz questions will also be complied as a final test at the end of this unit.

▪ Presentation: Present your story to the class. Choose whatever format you wish for reading the story [silent reading, popcorn reading, as homework, group read, etc.].

Your presentation must answer these essential questions:

1. What is the plot structure of the story? What is the point of a view of the story?

2. How do authors use literary elements to enhance the story?

3. How does the organization structure of the story contribute to the plot?

4. How can major and minor characters be compared and contrasted?

▪ Discuss the story with the class. Make the discussion exciting and make students participate in it (you can use responders but will need to let me know prior to your group’s presentation).

▪ You will be graded on comprehension/explanation of your literature, discussion handout, quiz, and answer keys, preparation for the presentation, organization, content, and creativity.

▪ This assignment will be worth 245 points.

▪ You will be expected to do the HOT questions as given by your classmates. You will NOT need to complete the assignment for your own story; you will automatically receive the points as long as you PARTICIPATE in the PRESENTATION.

Short Story Literature Schedule:

Day 1: Groups will be chosen; Literature will be randomly assigned; Reading/Brainstorming will begin

Day 2: Groups will finish reading literature they were assigned; Discussion and quiz questions written

Day 3: Computer Lab Day; Type up discussion questions handout for class, discussion answer key, quiz questions, and quiz answer key.

Day 4: Practice your presentation so you seem organized

Day 5-11: Short Story Literature Presentations

Day 12: Final Test on ALL Short Stories

Short Story Literature and Presentation Dates:

Guy de Maupassant

“The Necklace” Pg. 26

Presentation Date: Day 5

O. Henry

“The Gift of the Magi” Pg. 151

Presentation Date: Day 6

Amy Tan

“Two Kinds” Pg. 88

Presentation Date: Day 7

Liam O’Flaherty

“The Sniper” Pg. 162

Presentation Date: Day 8

Edgar Allan Poe

“The Cask of Amontillado” Pg. 207

Presentation Date: Day 9

Agatha Christie

“Wasps’ Nest” Pg. 759

Presentation Date: Day 10

Maria Elena Llano

“In the Family” pg. 856

Presentation Date: Day 11

Final Test over Short Story Literature:

Day 12

HOT ?S - A Guide to Higher Order Thinking Questions

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Benjamin Bloom (1956) developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior in learning. This taxonomy contained three overlapping domains: the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective. Within the cognitive domain, he identified six levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. These domains and levels are still useful today as you develop critical thinking skills.

Part of thinking critically is using Higher Order Thinking skills. The part of Bloom’s Taxonomy that uses the highest level of thinking is the top of the triangle – Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

Analysis: Definition

Separates material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood. Distinguishes between facts and inferences.

Analysis: Examples

← Troubleshoot a piece of equipment by using logical deduction.

← Recognize logical fallacies in reasoning. 

← Gathers information from a department and selects the required tasks for training.

← How can this be used in English?

Analysis: Key Words

Analyze

Appraise

Break down

Calculate

Categorize

Compare

Contrast

Criticize

Deconstruct

Diagram

Differentiate

Discriminate

Distinguish

Examine

Experiment

Identify

Illustrate

Infer

Outline

Question

Relate

Select

Separate

Test

Synthesis: Definition

Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Put parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.

Synthesis: Examples

← Write a company operations or process manual.

← Design a machine to perform a specific task.

← Integrate training from several sources to solve a problem.

← Revise and process to improve the outcome.

← How can this be used in English?

Synthesis: Key Words

Arrange

Assemble

Categorize

Collect

Combine

Compile

Compose

Construct

Create

Design

Develop

Devise

Explain

Formulate

Generate

Manage

Modify

Organize

Plan

Prepare

Propose

Rearrange

Reconstruct

Relate

Reorganize

Revise

Rewrite

Summarize

Tell

Write

Evaluation: Definition

Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials

Evaluation: Examples

← Select the most effective solution.

← Hire the most qualified candidate.

← Explain and justify a new budget.

← How can this be used in English?

Evaluation: Key Words

Appraise

Argue

Assess

Attach

Choose

Compare

Conclude

Contrast

Criticize

Critique

Defend

Describe

Discriminate

Estimate

Evaluate

Explain

Interpret

Judge

Justify

Predict

Rate

Relate

Select

Summarize

Support

Value

Short Story Literature Group Project Rubric

Short Story Literature: ______________________________________________________________________

Group Members: __________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Comprehension/Presentation _______/100

Knowledge of Story

Essential Question Answered

Handout _______/25

HOT Questions contain standards

Enough copies for everyone

Handout Key _______/10

Questions answered

Quiz _______/20

10 multiple choice questions

Realistic options

Quiz Key _______/10

10 multiple choice question

Realistic options

Answer is highlighted/circled

Preparation _______/25

Rehearsed

Organization _______/25

Group is on schedule

Minimal pauses

Content _______/5

Creativity _______/25

TOTAL: _______/245

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