September 30, 2010“The Best Gift. . .” Organization Day 5

• Does the title make sense by the end of the story? Read what you wrote yesterday.

• Delete all of the writing after “What were you thinking?”

• Rewrite the ending to match the title.• Find a partner and listen to his/her new ending.• Write a critique of your partner’s ending in

his/her notebook. What makes it better? Is it better? What else could your partner do?

Four words were all it took. “I’ll never wear this.”

Eight words if you count, “What were you

thinking?” As I said these words I saw my

mother’s expression change from anticipation to

frustration. She responded, “Well, I guess this

means we’ll have to return the plaid boots we

also got you. You know this is the first time

you’ve expressed any opinion about your

clothes?” Then she smiled, and I knew everything

was OK.

Student Goals

• Generate a list of traits for Tom, the main character of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets.”

• Identify both denotative and connotative meaning for Tom’s traits.

• Write a paragraph using Tom’s traits and their connotative meaning.– Reveal personal attitude by choosing words

carefully.

List as many words to describe Tom as you can

Tenacious

Focused Obsessed

Persistent,

stubborn

To be concentrated on

an idea or problem Occupied intensely or

abnormally

Synonym 1 Synonym 2

Now think about how these words are different.•What are some differences in their definitions?•What are some differences in the situations you might use the words for ?•What are some differences in connotative meaning?

Next, draw some images under each word that match the connotative meaning of the word.

Repeat this process with two more sets of synonyms.

Tenacious Focused

Persistent, stubbornConcentrated on an idea or problem

I’d use this word when I was talking about figuring something out, solving a problem.

I would use this word to describe someone who just wouldn’t give up, kept working towards a goal without accepting defeat ever.

Look at the t-chart you just made.

• Circle three words you believe best describe Tom. • What do you notice about the words

you circled? Jot down anything you notice.

How do you feel about Tom?

• You are allowed to be honest about how you feel.• What are your reasons for feeling

this way? You need at least two reasons.

How do you feel about Tom?

• Write a sentence that clearly states how you feel about Tom.

• Think about the words you picked to describe him.–What do those words say about him as

a person?

Tom Benecke, the main character

of “The Contents of the Dead

Man’s Pockets,” is a young man

who doesn’t realize what is most

important in his life.

Tom Benecke, the main character

of “The Contents of the Dead

Man’s Pockets,” is

How do I prove it?

•What did he do in the story that proves this trait?

Tenacious• Determined

• Daring

How can I end this paragraph?

• What, if anything, has Tom learned?• Has he changed his views or

attitude?–How do you know?

• Are any of the traits you chose related to his metamorphosis?

Homework• Week 5, Countdown for Testing, due Mon.,

Oct. 4.• Rough draft of paragraph.

Exit Ticket: How much of your rough draft do you need to complete tonight? What have you had difficulty with?