Objective: Through discussions and writing, students will analyze the relationships between characters in Things Fall Apart and evaluate how character traits are revealed through relationships. ◦ Journal entry◦ Character list/family tree◦ Discussion◦ How does Achebe’s portrayal of Okonkwo’s family

relationships make Okonkwo a sympathetic or unsympathetic character?

2/11

Highlight your thesis statement◦ Rubric◦ Revised draft◦ Peer editing

Things Fall Apart Essay Topics: Okonkwo’s characterHow is Things Fall Apart a response to Heart of Darkness? Cultural traditionsHow does Things Fall Apart address a political or social issue?

Essay

As we are at the end of a unit (sort of), I would like to get some feedback from you…

What is helping you learn? What types of class activities are best for you? What types of class activities do you enjoy the most? (These can be activities we have done in here, or not.)

What types of activities are not working as well for you? What would you like to do more of? Less of?

Do you have any suggestions about ACT practice? What can I do to help you?

Journal entry

Create a family tree of Okonkwo’s family. If you choose, you can use page 159-160 of your Springboard book to set it up.

As you create your family tree, look for the relationship between that character and the other characters, especially Okonkwo.

Family Tree

Objective: Through discussions and writing, students will analyze the relationships between characters in Things Fall Apart and evaluate how character traits are revealed through relationships.

Agenda: ACT practice Small group discussions (10 minutes) Large group discussion Paragraph/Exit ticket

2/12

Passage 3: 8 minutes.

ACT Practice

What elements of culture do we gain new insight into? ◦ Ceremonies◦ Holidays

How does Okonkwo treat each member of his family?

Do you like Okonkwo as a character? Do you understand him? What are his positive traits? What are is

flaws? Do you think he has a fatal flaw

(harmartia)?

Discussion

Sympathetic character: A sympathetic character is a fictional character in a story whom the writer expects the reader to identify with and care about, if not necessarily admire.

Is Okonkwo a sympathetic or unsympathetic character?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

Okonkwo is a sympathetic character.

Achebe is fulfilling what he sees as a writer’s responsibility in Things Fall Apart. “This is where the writer’s integrity

comes in. Will he be strong enough to overcome the temptation to select only those facts which flatter him?...he will defeat his own purpose if he is suspected of glossing over inconvenient facts”

The Role of the Writer in a New Nation

Photo credit http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/1298/achebe/scrapbook.html

How does Achebe’s portrayal of Okonkwo’s family relationships make Okonkwo a sympathetic or unsympathetic character?

Use evidence to support your claim.

Quiz through chapter 8 tomorrow

Exit Ticket

Objective: Through speaking and writing, students will understand the characters and culture and apply their understanding of the Ibo culture to discussions and a written decision from the “elders.”

Agenda: Quiz Ibo Tableau Small group discussions Large group discussion Elder’s roundtable

2/13

1. What is the Week of Peace? (2 points)  2. What does Okonkwo do to break the

Week of Peace? (2 points)  3. Describe the relationship between Nwoye

and Ikemefuna. (2 points) 4. What is Okonkwo cautioned not to do to

Ikemefuna that he does anyway? (2 points) Why does he do it? (2 points)

Quiz-Chapters 1-8

8. Zaw, Mitchell, Malachi, Jereme-Ashlee, Afra

7. Zach, Isha, Tyler, Angelica, Christian, 6. Isaiah, Zoe, Shea, Ashley, Chris 5. Amanda, Sam, Jacinda, Jacob, Jose 4. Inga, Halle, Mohamad, Shun, Feruza 3. Daniel, Ariel, Geoffrey, Rayshawn, Dipak 2. Naomi, Keshav, Staphanie, London, Luke

Groups

8. Joe, Abdul, Malachi, D’Naya, Brittany 7. Selena, Eduardo, Simon, Victory, Cassidy 5. Jesus P., Kaylee, Anis, Sandra, Cierra 4. Chelsea, Jesus S., Nicole, Antonio G,

Sadie 3. Antonio I, Akmal, Johnnie, Isaiah

Groups-Period 4

From your given chapter, decide on an important scene (or two) and important characters.

Write the name of each character on an index card. Each member of the group will display the card of his or her character while standing in the tableau (freeze frame). Consider where each member should stand in relationship to the scene and each other character.

Each member will step out of the freeze from to introduce him/herself and interesting facts about your character.

Ibo Tableau-p. 161

Take notes individually, so you are ready to participate in the larger group discussion. How has Nwoye changed and what has caused

these changes? Describe the arrival of the locusts? What is the

reaction of the people of Umuofia? How does Okonkwo feel about Ikemefuna’s death?

How does Nwoye feel? How do you think his death will affect their relationship?

Is Okonkwo’s desire to be strong, wealthy, and respected more from the culture or from his feelings about his father? Support.

What is the role of women in the culture?

Small Group Discussions

Large Group Discussion

Scenerio 1: You are a group of elders in Umuofia. You must decide what should happen to Ikemefuna. You can order is death, as occurs in the novel, or consider a different fate. Consider the culture and values of the Umuofian people. Write a one-page explanation and justification for your decision.

Scenerio 2: You are a group of elders convened to decide the fate of Okonkwo after killing Ikemefuna. Consider the culture and the values and evaluate what you think should happen to him. Write a one-page explanation and justification for your decision.

Elder’s roundtable

You are a group of elders convened to decide the fate of Okonkwo after killing Ikemefuna. Consider the culture and the values and evaluate what you think should happen to him. Write a one-page explanation and justification for your decision.

Elder’s Roundtable

Objective: Through writing and discussion, students will define a “civilized society”, and analyze and evaluate if Umoufia fits their definition.

Journal Discussion-what is a civilized society Writing-Does Umoufia fit this definition? Philosophical chairs Ending reflection

2/15

How do you define a “civilized society”? What cultures fit this definition? Does our society fit this definition?

Journal

GovernmentMoral standardsJustice systemCurrencyLaw and orderNon-violent way to handle problemsCommunicationProper rights-social classes Does Umoufia fit this definition?

Civilized society

Depends on the cultureFollows its own traditionsNot a lot of internal or external strifeGovernmentSociety that follows their own rules and aspirations and traditionsA society that respects natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) Monetary/Currency systemBeing able to provideBaseline of communicationProtection, law enforcementPunishment/judicial systemPutting aside your difference, treating others with kindness and respectDoes Umoufia fit this definition?

Civilized Society

Umoufia is a civilized society.

Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree

Philosophical Chairs

Did your opinion change? What were the strongest points from each side?

Reflection

Tragic Hero: Aristotle’s Definition “the intermediate kind of personage, a man

not pre-eminently virtuous and just whose misfortune is brought upon him not by vice and depravity but by some error in judgment, of the number of those in the enjoyment of great prosperity” Must experience a “change in fortune … not from misery to happiness, but on the contrary from happiness to misery”

Simplified Aristotle Definition A tragic hero is the central or main

character of a tragic story that is usually of high or noble birth and demonstrates a “fatal flaw”—a characteristic that prompts him or her to take an action or make a decision that ultimately leads to his or her downfall or death.

Criteria -A person of noble or high status who has a

mixture of good and bad in his personality.

Criteria Continued -He has a fatal flaw which leads to his

downfall.

Criteria Continued He usually goes on a journey or a quest.

Criteria Continued -He has a large capacity for suffering.

Criteria Continued -His downfall is often preceded by self-

realization.

In small groups, develop an argument about if Okonkwo fits this definition of a tragic hero.

Large group discussion

Do you think Okonkwo fits this definition?

Okonkwo is a tragic hero.

Philosophical chairs

1. How did a college degree lead Keith Cressman to the job he has now?

2. Do you think Okonkwo is a tragic hero?

For Monday: Read through chapter 19 (p. 167)

Folktale due

Exit Ticket