Remedial Activities The remedial activities are the same as in the book, but the language and content are simplified. The remedial activities are designated with a star before each handout number and were carefully selected to give the student a variety of activities that focus on literary devices in the novel.
LESSON PLAN DETAILS CHAPTERS 1 3 Chapter 2 1. Essay: Theme hand out and have students complete in class (1 class period) Chapter 3 2. Vocabulary hand out and have students complete in class (20 minutes) 3. Creative Writing: Figurative Language hand out and have students complete in class (15 minutes) 22
Chapter 2 Handout 1 Essay: Theme A theme is an idea like love, friendship, or sadness. Complete the following sentence: This is a book about. You have now just stated your theme. Directions: Choose one line from the book that you feel shows something about the theme. Write a paragraph explaining why you feel this quote is important. 25
Chapter 3 Handout 2 Vocabulary A synonym is a word that means the same or nearly the same thing as another word. This activity helps you practice the new words you ve learned. Using synonyms can help you better learn the new words. Matching Directions: Match each word on the left with the best synonym on the right. 1. Disgrace a. Speech 2. Lecture b. Sadness 3. Heaved c. Disfavor 4. Abbreviation d. Shaking 5. Undisturbed e. Stumbling 6. Loping f. Quickly 7. Comical g. Threw 8. Tension h. Alone 9. Vaguely i. Funny 10. Reckless j. Walking 11. Reeling k. Shortened version 12. Quivering l. Unclearly 13. Hastily m.careless In 1950, the year S. E. Hinton is born, Charles Schulz introduces the Peanuts comic strip. 29
Chapter 3 Handout 3 Creative Writing: Figurative Language A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using like or as (for example, My love is like a red, red rose ). Writers use similes to make their writing more interesting. A cliché is a simile that has been overused (for example, The bed was as hard as a rock ). Writers try to not use clichés. However, sometimes writers create characters who use clichés. This use of clichés is all right because it shows who the character is. This activity lets you practice creative writing by writing similes. Directions: Create a simile by filling in the blanks for the following. Try to avoid using clichés. 1. The room was as small as. 2. The woman was as scared as. 3. The puppy kicked and rolled around like. 4. I was as mad as. 5. He is as crazy as. 30
LESSON PLAN DETAILS CHAPTERS 4 6 Chapter 4 1. Character Analysis hand out and have students complete in class (45 minutes) Chapter 5 2. Journal Writing hand out and have students complete in class (1 class period) Chapter 6 2. Setting hand out and have students complete in class (1 class period) 34
Chapter 4 Handout 1 Character Analysis A character analysis helps you understand the personality of each character. It also gives you practice in looking for information in the book. This lesson helps you understand why characters act the way they do. Directions: For each of the following characters, describe something important that they do or say. Include one quote from the book for each character. Ponyboy: Johnny: Sodapop: 35
Chapter 5 Handout 2 Journal Writing Journal writing gives you a better personal understanding of the themes in the novel. This lesson asks you to think about your own ideas. Directions: Choose one of the following topics. Do not talk to anyone about your ideas. Your teacher will give you a set amount of time to write about your topic. Write for the entire time. Get as much as you can on paper without worrying about spelling, grammar, or punctuation. 1. Have you ever felt like running away? Why? What did you do about it? 2. Have you ever been in a fight or felt like getting in a fight? What did you do? 3. Have you ever seen an act of violence? Who was involved? How did it make you feel? What did you do? 4. Did you or do you now go to church or other place of worship? How is religion a part of your life? If it isn t a part of your life, why? 5. What would you do if your best friend killed someone and came to you for help? 39
Chapter 6 Handout 2 Setting The setting in a novel tells us the time and place. Making a map helps you see where the story takes place. Directions: Make a map for Chapters 4 6. Make sure to include the following on your map: The park The train The road to Jay Mountain The church on Jay Mountain The restaurant where Dally takes Johnny and Ponyboy The place where the kids are picnicking The hospital Ponyboy s house Dally s house Draw a star at Johnny and Ponyboy s starting point. Then draw arrows to show the order of their movements. 41
LESSON PLAN DETAILS CHAPTERS 7 9 Chapter 7 1. Plot Analysis hand out and have students complete in class (30 minutes) Chapter 8 1. Symbolism Activity hand out and have students complete in class (30 minutes) 46
Chapter 7 Handout 1 Plot Analysis Plot is the chain of events that make up the story. This activity gives you a way to follow the events in the novel. Directions: In the circles below, list in order what Ponyboy does. Begin with Two-Bit and Steve arriving at the Curtis house at breakfast: 47
Chapter 8 Handout 1 Symbolism Activity A symbol is an object or action that stands for something else. This lesson helps you understand the symbols in the novel. Directions: Answer the questions below. What do you think are two important symbols up to Chapter 8? 1. 2. Find two places (list page numbers) in the novel where the symbols you chose above are found. Write the quotations below. 1. 2. 49
LESSON PLAN DETAILS CHAPTERS 10 12 Chapter 11 2. Research Topic: Role Models hand out and have students complete at home (2 hours) Chapter 12 2. Ethics Activity hand out and have students complete in class (1 class period) 56
Chapter 11 Handout 2 Research Topic: Role Models This activity helps you practice finding information about current topics. It also teaches you to think deeper about problems. Directions: The following question is the topic for your paper. Use the suggestions below to help you plan your paper. Your paper needs to be three paragraphs long. What makes a person a good role model for teens? Compare and contrast good and bad role models that teens have today. Suggestions: a. Interview other students about what they think makes a hero. Who are their heroes? b. Give examples from TV, movies, music, and magazines. How does the media show heroes? Are only popular people heroes? c. What happens when a role model does something seriously wrong? d. Do you think teens today have the right role models? Why or why not? 60
Chapter 12 Handout 2 Ethics Activity Ethics are the beliefs we live by. The decisions we make everyday are because of our beliefs. This activity helps you understand how we make the right decisions. It also shows you how they are presented in the book. Directions: Brainstorm all the things that might make the following characters do what they do. 1. Dally pulls out a gun as cops surround him. 2. The cops shoot Dally. 3. Ponyboy tells Randy he is the one not Johnny who killed Bob. 62
Answer Key This section provides answers to the remedial activities in the order in which they appear. Vocabulary Chapter 3 Handout 2 1. b 2. a 3. g 4. k 5. h 6. j 7. i 8. c 9. l 10. m 11. e 12. d 13. f 77