“THANK YOU, MA’AM”

Langston Hughes

Before Reading: Connect to Your Life

On the next available page in your literature notebook, add the title “Thank You, Ma’am.” Then read the quote and answer the questions below in complete sentences. (3-5 sentences)

An African proverb says, “It takes two parents to produce a child, but it takes an entire village to raise a child.”Do you agree?Why or why not?

Before Reading:Build Background

Read the Build Background section on page 29 in your literature book.

In your notebook, record at least two important details about the setting, Harlem, that you feel may affect events in the story.

Langston Hughes was from Harlem. Why do you think he chose to set the story in his hometown? (1-2 sentences in your notebook.)

Before Reading:Understand Vocabulary

Synonyms: Words that have the same or nearly the same

meaning.Lists of synonyms can be found in a thesaurus.

Choosing synonyms:Not all synonyms are appropriate for a

particular sentence.The best way to choose a synonym is to

substitute the work in the sentence to see if it makes sense.

Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary

Choose the most appropriate synonyms for the underlined words.He made himself presentable by combing his hair and

washing his face. ○ (suitable, tidy, decent)

The boy was frail and did not have the strength to pull away from Mrs. Jones.○ (weak, brittle, short-lived)

Her barren front steps gave the house a lonely look.○ (empty, dull, unprofitable)

Roger didn’t want Mrs. Jones to mistrust him any longer.○ (suspect, discredit, doubt)

Before Reading:Understand Vocabulary

Barren

Frail

Mistrust

presentable

suede

During Reading:Understand Types of Conflict

Plot is set in motion by a central conflict. Conflict is a struggle between opposing

forces.External Conflict: a character’s struggle

against an outside force○ Character vs. Character○ Character vs. Nature○ Character vs. Society

Internal Conflict: a character’s struggle within him or herself

During Reading:Understanding Types of Conflict

In your literature notebook, label the next available page:Conflicts in “Thank You, Ma’am”

As we read record examples of conflict and label the type of conflict.Example:

○ Mrs. Jones vs. Roger= character v. character

Be prepared to share this information with your partner and with the class.

After Reading:Understanding Cause and Effect

After Reading:Understanding Cause and Effect

Event: No paper in the classroom

Cause EffectStudents didn’t bring paper to class.

They couldn’t do writing assignments.

Someone took all the paper. Students had to borrow paper from another class.

The teacher accidentally threw all of the paper away.

Students couldn’t take tests.

After Reading:Understanding Cause and Effect

Event: The classroom is noisy.

Cause Effect

After Reading:Understanding Cause and Effect

Cause EffectFlat tire on a car.

Bubble gum stuck to shoe

Ice cream melted in bowl.

Dog barked loudly for hours.

Comparing Text to Film

In your LNb, create a character sketch of Roger and one of Mrs. Jones. It should be similar to the one below.

Character:Mrs. Jones

ClothingPhysical Appearance

Personality Motivation

Comparing Text to Film

Discuss with your table partner:How do you think each character should be

portrayed in a movie?

Comparing Text to Film When filmmakers adapt a story or novel into

film, he or she faces several questions:To what extent should changes be made in the

story’s language or plot?Which actors should be cast and how should

they be costumed?What should the setting look like?

As you watch the film version of “Thank You, Ma’am,” note how the filmmakers addressed these questions.

Comparing Text to Film

Viewer’s GuideAs you watch the film, complete the

Viewer’s Guide, which will help you make comparisons between the story and the movie.○ Pay attention to the following:

The portrayal of RogerThe last line of dialogue

Comparing Text to Film After viewing: Answer at least 3 of the following

questions in your LNb.How did you feel about the ending of the film? Why?What did you think was the most significant change

that the filmmakers made in adapting the story to film?Why do you think the filmmakers made Roger younger

than he is in the short story?How did the filmmakers change Roger’s delivery of the

last line in the story? Why do you think they chose to do this?

What differences did you notice in the setting? Why do you think the filmmaker chose to make these changes?