Short Stories
Important Short Story Terminology
Some of the important initial material (e.g. setting, point-of-view, protagonist, antagonist, theme) for the Short Story unit can be found here.
Short Story Journal Topics
Remember that you are to complete ONE (1) journal/blog entry per story. The journal topics can be found in the link above (these will be collected at the end of the unit).
Following are links to the short stories you will be reading and discussing as a class, along with the notes, activities and assignments to be completing for each (these stories can also be found in the Crossroads 9 textbooks assigned in class):
Following are links to the short stories you will be reading and discussing as a class, along with the notes, activities and assignments to be completing for each (these stories can also be found in the Crossroads 9 textbooks assigned in class):
"Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes
(Crossroads 9, pp.72-75)
Writing an Informal E-mail
Learning how to write and communicate effectively is important to develop relationships with other people and clearly convey your thoughts, feelings and requests. Take a look at the document linked above to consider how to format and structure your writing, whether you're doing in a letter or an e-mail, to accomplish these purposes adequately. Then, complete "Thank You Ma'am" Practice E-mail Assignment in small groups to practice.
E-mail Assignment
Now that you've had a chance to practice, let's put your skills to the test! Using the handout as well as the lessons you learned from the practice e-mail you just completed, write an e-mail on your own to someone who has helped you get to where you are today. See the assignment document linked above for the requirements and expectations.
(Crossroads 9, pp.72-75)
Writing an Informal E-mail
Learning how to write and communicate effectively is important to develop relationships with other people and clearly convey your thoughts, feelings and requests. Take a look at the document linked above to consider how to format and structure your writing, whether you're doing in a letter or an e-mail, to accomplish these purposes adequately. Then, complete "Thank You Ma'am" Practice E-mail Assignment in small groups to practice.
E-mail Assignment
Now that you've had a chance to practice, let's put your skills to the test! Using the handout as well as the lessons you learned from the practice e-mail you just completed, write an e-mail on your own to someone who has helped you get to where you are today. See the assignment document linked above for the requirements and expectations.
Background Information
To fully understand this story, it's important to have some understanding of the history between Indigenous people in Canada and the European settlers who displaced them from their homes. The ways in which Indigenous communities and individuals were treated when the governments took over their homes and tried to force them to assimilate into Canadian culture caused fractures in this relationship which exist until the present day.
As one modern example in which this relationship is depicted, let's examine and discuss Gord Downie & Jeff Lemire's Secret Path, a story told through a graphic novel, a short movie and through music.
To fully understand this story, it's important to have some understanding of the history between Indigenous people in Canada and the European settlers who displaced them from their homes. The ways in which Indigenous communities and individuals were treated when the governments took over their homes and tried to force them to assimilate into Canadian culture caused fractures in this relationship which exist until the present day.
As one modern example in which this relationship is depicted, let's examine and discuss Gord Downie & Jeff Lemire's Secret Path, a story told through a graphic novel, a short movie and through music.
1. Let's begin by examining some of Jeff Lemire's artwork in Secret Path. As you look
at it, ask yourself the following questions:
a) What do you think is happening in the pictures?
b) What mood is created by the artwork?
c) What do you "predict" this story is about?
2. Next, consider some of Gord Downie's words accompanying the artwork, first as
poetry, then as music, and ask yourself the same questions. As you do so,
RECONSIDER your previous PREDICTIONS about the story.
3. After consider both the artwork and the words which make up this story, read
about the story of Chanie Wenjack, and watch the short movie Secret Path to
learn about one element of the troubled history between Indigenous Canadians
and those who came from Europe and settled in this country.
Also, consider the story from the perspective of people in 1967, by reading
"The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack" from Maclean's Magazine in 1967.
at it, ask yourself the following questions:
a) What do you think is happening in the pictures?
b) What mood is created by the artwork?
c) What do you "predict" this story is about?
2. Next, consider some of Gord Downie's words accompanying the artwork, first as
poetry, then as music, and ask yourself the same questions. As you do so,
RECONSIDER your previous PREDICTIONS about the story.
3. After consider both the artwork and the words which make up this story, read
about the story of Chanie Wenjack, and watch the short movie Secret Path to
learn about one element of the troubled history between Indigenous Canadians
and those who came from Europe and settled in this country.
Also, consider the story from the perspective of people in 1967, by reading
"The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack" from Maclean's Magazine in 1967.
Character Development
While reading the story "Borders," you will be introduced to different ways we learn about characters. The Mother is the best example of a well-developed character in this story.
Plot Graphs
Learn about the basic format and points on a plot graph, and how they can help you organize and summarize the key moments in a story. Here's a link to a blank plot graph you can use to complete activities in class.
While reading the story "Borders," you will be introduced to different ways we learn about characters. The Mother is the best example of a well-developed character in this story.
Plot Graphs
Learn about the basic format and points on a plot graph, and how they can help you organize and summarize the key moments in a story. Here's a link to a blank plot graph you can use to complete activities in class.
"On the Sidewalk Bleeding" by Evan Hunter
(Crossroads 9, pp.35-42)
Types of Conflict
There are four types of conflict you need to know: person vs. self, person vs. person, person vs. environment and person vs. the unknown.
Symbolism
This story has a great example of symbolism! Can you guess what it is?
Newspaper Terminology
Do you know the parts of a newspaper's front page?
News Report Assignment
We will use the story "On the Sidewalk Bleeding" as source material when learning to write news reports. Remember, you will need to write a news report on the Grade 10 Literacy Test! Following are the documents you will need to successfully write a news report:
(Crossroads 9, pp.35-42)
Types of Conflict
There are four types of conflict you need to know: person vs. self, person vs. person, person vs. environment and person vs. the unknown.
Symbolism
This story has a great example of symbolism! Can you guess what it is?
Newspaper Terminology
Do you know the parts of a newspaper's front page?
News Report Assignment
We will use the story "On the Sidewalk Bleeding" as source material when learning to write news reports. Remember, you will need to write a news report on the Grade 10 Literacy Test! Following are the documents you will need to successfully write a news report:
"The Long Journey" by Sue Mann
(Crossroads 9, pp.292-294)
"The Long Journey" Questions
This story will work as a sort of review for all the material we've learned during this unit. Following is the one additional handout you will need to answer these questions:
(Crossroads 9, pp.292-294)
"The Long Journey" Questions
This story will work as a sort of review for all the material we've learned during this unit. Following is the one additional handout you will need to answer these questions:
Short Story Assignment
Your final assignment at the end of the unit will require you to select a story from those listed below, and complete a number of activities to show how well you've understood the short story material:
For this assignment you will need to complete the following components (see the assignment sheet for specific details):
Your final assignment at the end of the unit will require you to select a story from those listed below, and complete a number of activities to show how well you've understood the short story material:
- "The Jade Peony" by Wayson Choy (Crossroads 9, pp.13-20)
- "Kath and Mouse" by Janet McNaughton (Crossroads 9, pp.62-67)
- "A Sunrise on the Veld" by Doris Lessing (Crossroads 9, pp.77-84)
- "Coffee, Snacks, Worms" by Karleen Bradford (Crossroads 9, pp.87-92)
- "G. Trueheart, Man's Best Friend" by James McNamee (Crossroads 9, pp.94-99)
- "The Leaving" by Budge Wilson (Crossroads 9, pp.106-117)
- "A Major Malfunction" by Mike Kilpatrick (Crossroads 9, pp.152-158)
- "And the Lucky Winner Is..." by Monica Hughes (Crossroads 9, pp.273-286)
- "Babysitting Helen" by Kathy Stinson (Crossroads 9, pp.300-305)
For this assignment you will need to complete the following components (see the assignment sheet for specific details):
- Short Story Worksheet
- Title Page
- Plot Graph
- Quotations
- Literary Devices