Lesson Plan form for  Paul Rombough/  Chateauguay Valley High School
Date:                 March 23
Class:            English
Objective:     To be create a plot outline and first draft of a "suspense story".
Materials:   More Strawberries
Opening Motivational Set: 

"What was the best scene?  Most frightening moment?  High point of the action?" in film Go to the Head of Class.
Procedure:

1.  On board draw a line representing the plot development, with boxes surrounding the events. 
(boxes will be emptied to create a template for a new story in #3)
  •  Begin with the climax, then go through the questions from last day.
  •  Make boxes for the answers for the protagonist as well.

2.  View end of film after discussing what things can be done in films to heighten suspense, which cannot be done in a story.

3.  Quickwrite #2
Options:   a) Write the next chapter by changing the ending.  Use just as many plot events and begin  with
"I had outrun Bains, and arrived home safely;  or so I thought.  There was something in the air.."
.               b)  Write a new story with begins with a foreshadowing event, then uses the same plot line.

4.  Snake the story around the class, editing for the following things:

  • Mark early events which foreshadow later events?
  • Comment on the developing conflict.
  • Suggest additions or subtractions which might make mood more suspenseful
5.  Begin reading the story "Uneasy Homecoming"  from More Strawberries.. 
Followup/ Evaluation:
Students must read all of the story, answer the three questions in the back of the story,  and create  5 questions  about the story, and answer them.
 
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