Thursday's class: The Pearl Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

1. Today in class, we are going to help each other find details to use to support our topic sentence conclusions.

For example,

Kino's journey towards prosperity (wealth) actually robs him of everything important to him.  

Kino's journey is a hero's journey.

START by writing your topic sentences at the top of three sheets of binder paper.

Highlight the key words that demand SHOWING details.

Brainstorm a few places where you might be able to find a quotation or paraphrase to use.

Pass the papers clockwise and, looking very carefully at the highlighted words, suggest a few places where he/she might look for examples or details to use.

2. After you have found key details to use in your paragraph, you will need to pay careful attention to how you will use them to support your topic sentence.

For example,

Kino's journey towards prosperity actually robs him of everything important to him.  In the beginning, a poor native finds himself with a beautiful object; it's a pearl, one that seems of great wealth, yet he becomes an beserk animal out of greed and fear. "greedy fingers went through his clothes, frantic fingers searched him, and the pearl, knocked from his hand" (59). 

Do you see how the above quotation is abruptly stuck into in the paragraph and is a bit confusing?
This writer needs to transition from his topic sentence to the quote.  Here is how you fix it:

Kino's journey towards prosperity actually robs him of everything important to him.  In the beginning, a poor native finds himself with a beautiful object; it's a pearl, one that seems of great wealth, yet he becomes an beserk animal out of greed and fear. After Kino rejects the pearl merchants fraudulent offers for the pearl,"greedy fingers went through his clothes, frantic fingers searched him, and the pearl, knocked from his hand" (59). This quotation shows......


That part before the quotation is called CONTEXT.  Always introduce who is speaking or who is acting or place your quote in the plot arc for your reader.

Don't forget to add COMMENTARY after the quotation.  This is where you tell me what is important about your quotation and what it shows (hopefully your highlighted word in your topic sentence.)

The Pearl: Topic Sentence Samples/Frames

Today we spent most of class reviewing the vocab words for the test Friday (Lesson 6).

Then, in first and fifth period we worked on composing the TOPIC SENTENCES for paragraphs on The Pearl. The first sentence of your paragraph is vital.  If you write a specific and clear sentence, it will help you narrow your focus and find just the right details from the text more easily.

Here are samples/frames for the three questions:

1. Kino's journey is a heartbreaking example of a hero's journey.

OR

Kino's journey breaks him and makes him wiser.

2. This story is important to me because the message I get from it is ______________________.

3. Juana is the most important character because without her, Kino would have very little reason to stay a good, responsible human being with a conscience.  

OR

Coyotito is important because he represents innocence lost in the story.  

Once you have created satisfactory topic sentences, you are ready to find key details from the text to show me the truth of that sentence.  

Tomorrow we will spend some time doing a group detail search to help you.  

Tuesday's class

Today we corrected the Pearl quiz in periods 1st and 5th.  In 3rd period, we got a head start on the Arne Duncan (Text #9) speech.  Tomorrow is vocabulary games and more speech analysis.

First and Fifth Period:  Here is the link to the Pearl writing assignment.The Pearl: 3 paragraphs
Third Period:  Finish your books!  Read Read Read!

The Pearl chapters 3 and 4

Today we started class with a vocabulary test on Lesson 5.

You have 20 minutes to read silently in The Pearl to be sure you have read through chapter 4.  You can also use this time to complete your Triple Entry Journal.

Many of you seemed to be unclear about the golden line.  Here is an example of one you could have chosen from Chapter 4:

"Kino," she said huskily, "I am afraid. A man can be killed.  Let us throw the pearl back into the sea" (57).

For starters, I can think of many questions that this quotation inspires:  

             Why is she so afraid?

              What does she mean that "a man can be killed"?

             Why would she want to throw this great fortune back into the sea?  Why is this the best solution?
               Would I feel the same way as Juana if I were in her position?

Also, I can see many BIG IDEAS here:

            Sometimes getting what you want can be a kind of curse.

            Having wealth doesn't necessarily solve your problems; often it creates bigger ones. 

THIRD COLUMN:  Students in class will switch journals so they can respond in the THIRD COLUMN to the golden line or answer any of the student questions from the SECOND COLUMN.

HOMEWORK:  Chapters 5 & 6 (and another triple entry journal) are due next Friday, the 1st.