Education Standards
CommonLit.org Link
Accessible text-dependent questions adapted from acheivethecore.org
Text-dependent questions adapted from acheivethecore.org
"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
The Monkey's Paw video
"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury
War of Words Lesson 5 Remix
Overview
This lesson focuses on a close reading of "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Advanced learners (who are skilled with theme) will also be reading "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury.
Introduction
Teachers- to complete this lesson, students will need access to CommonLit.org for the close reading of the text. Accounts are free for teachers. You will need to create an account and search for "The Monkey's Paw." You will also need to do the following:
1. Assign "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs to your classes.
2. Assign the paired text, "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury to advanced students who have fully grasped the concept of theme in a single text. These students will be completing the advanced writing prompt while the teacher does a more comprehensive close read with struggling students, focusing only on "The Monkey's Paw."
3. Access related media within "The Monkey's Paw.
PDFs of each text are also linked as resources in this lesson.
This week, you will be reading one or more texts that include suspense, the idea of "fate," and what motivates human beings to make decisions. As your first task, please watch the video above. As you read this week, think about how the author (s) build suspense and keep the plot interesting!
Reading Pathways
Teachers may give students a choice of pathways here or they may be assigned (recommended). All pathways do not need to be utilized for every class- take into account individual student need based on pre-assessment, previous assignments, or standardized reading tests. Group students based on their understanding of theme on an 8th grade level.
Here is one option in assigning the close reading(s):
Learning Path 1 (most suited for struggling learners who have not yet grasped the concept of theme): Pull these students in a small group. Either use the printed PDF of "The Monkey's Paw" or guide them through using CommonLit.org (if using the printed PDF, be sure to determine theme as a group), which also features audio and text accessibility options. Consider assigning the text in chunks and discussing as you go.
Learning Path 2 (most suited for on-grade learners who have mostly grasped the concept of theme and are ready to work in pairs or independently): Assign these learners the CommonLit.org assignment and guided reading questions (theme question included in CommonLit assessment). Allow for work independently or in pairs. Answer text-dependent questions.
Learning Path 3 (most suited for advanced learners who have mastered theme and are typically reading above grade level): Students will work independently, in pairs, or in a small group to read and annotate "The Monkey's Paw," AND "The Veldt," determining theme of both. Students will be answering one focused question instead of multiple text-dependent questions and a short response; the workload is equal to the above options.
For this assignment, you will be taking one of three Reading Pathways. Please listen as your teacher gives instructions.
Reading Pathway 1:
Please meet with your teacher for a close reading of "The Monkey's Paw." You will also be completing the attached text-dependent questions.
Reading Pathway 2:
As partners or independently, please read and annotate "The Monkey's Paw," focusing on theme. Your teacher may assign you the text on CommonLit.org. You will also be completing the text-dependent questions.
Reading Pathway 3:
As partners, independently, or in a small group, please read "The Monkey's Paw." Determine theme. Then, read "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury. Determine theme. You do not need to complete the attached text-dependent questions. How you annotate, and how much, is up to you as you determine the theme of each text.
Video break!
Students will watch 2:28 minutes of a video to help them understand the concept of fate vs. free will.
Please watch the video below until 2:28. Keep the text(s) in mind as you watch. This will help you with your final writing prompt.
Writing Task
For the writing task, students will be assigned different versions depending on their original pathway.
For this writing task, you will be assigned a prompt based on your Reading Pathway from Task 2.
Write your response on a document or on lined paper- please refer to your teacher for directions.
Reading Pathway 1: With your group, write a brief summary of "The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs. Also, state the theme of the text and provide textual evidence.
Reading Pathway 2: Write a summary of "The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs and provide an explanation of the theme using direct and indirect textual evidence. Refer to CommonLit as well as your text-dependent questions as a guide.
Reading Pathway 3: What temptations do the characters face in "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs and in "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury? Are these temptations considered natural or unnatural? What would each author say about how humans interact with technology and/or the supernatural? Considering the theme of each text, what motivates humans to give in to temptations?
Done Early?
As students finish, they may watch "The Monkey's Paw" video, at least until 3:00.
Students may focus on the creative choices of the director, comparing and contrasting with the text. Is the mood different? How does this affect meaning?
As you finish, please watch at least the first three minutes of "The Monkey's Paw." Think about the creative choices of the director, comparing and contrasting with the text. Is the mood different? How does this affect meaning?
Video Linked Below