Restoration UnitFocus: SatireJanuary 5-26
LESSON PLAN
Hopeful Schedule: Day one: vocabulary activity, satire activity, assign pre-reading as homework Day two: quiz on pre-reading, irony activity, read the selection, “A Modest Proposal” Day three: quiz on reading selection, group-work Day four: class discussion, begin writing a satire Day five: Complete a revision activity within the class Day six: Unit packet is due in class. Vocabulary activity
Unit Objectives Analyze and evaluate the purpose and importance of satire and verbal irony on the beliefs, ideas
and customs of a culture. Know and comprehend new and old vocabulary words Apply knowledge of satire, verbal irony and proposal writing in a formal composition
Unit Standards
Reading 1.2 – Apply knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo/Saxon roots Reading 3.1 - Analyze characteristics of subgenres Reading 3.2 - Analyze the way in which the theme or meaning of a selection represents a view or
comment on life Reading 3.3 - Analyze the ways in which irony, tone, mood, the author's style, and the "sound" of
language achieve specific rhetorical or aesthetic purposes or both Reading 3.7 - Analyze recognized works of world literature from a variety of authors Writing 1.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of discourse (e.g., purpose, speaker,
audience, form) when completing narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive writing assignments.
Writing 1.2 - Use point of view, characterization, style (e.g., use of irony), and related elements for specific rhetorical and aesthetic purposes.
Writing 1.3 - Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained, persuasive, and sophisticated way and support them with precise and relevant examples
Writing 1.9 - Revise text to highlight the individual voice, improve sentence variety and style, and enhance subtlety of meaning and tone in ways that are consistent with the purpose, audience, and genre.
Writing 2.2 - Write responses to literature Writing 2.3 – Write reflective compositions Written and Oral English Language Conventions 1.0 – write with a command of the English
language
A Modest Proposal Packet Overview
Upon finishing our unit on satire, you will be expected to turn in a packet, which includes all of the following information. As with all class-work, late work will not be accepted. If you are ill or unable to attend class on the due date, please email me your packet.
Packet Due Date: January 19/20Please do not put your packet in a folder. Simply staple your packet together.
1. Typed Cover – should have your name, due date, period number and class title 2. “A Modest Proposal” Packet Overview – this page should be face up with rubric3. Typed Table of Contents – each page should be paginated (this means they
should have a number in the bottom right corner)4. Typed Reflection on the unit and story – one page double spaced MAX
(instructions will be provided at the end of the unit)5. Vocabulary worksheet – all squares are completed 6. Typed “A Modest Proposal” story notes7. Completed Satire – final draft first, then revised rough draft, then prewriting –
final and rough draft must be typed. 8. Mimicked bell work – Find a song that could be considered either ironic or
satiric. Analyze the speaker, tone and theme of the song. Then, reflect on the song’s purpose, its irony/satiric qualities, its probable audience and your reaction to it. Total is one page
Rubric
Your portfolio is scored using the 6+! Writing Traits Rubric for Ideas, Organization and Voice. It was also scored based on its completeness, quality of work and presentation.
Unit Reflection ……………………………………………………________/50
Vocabulary Worksheet……………………………………………..________/50
Story Notes…………………………………………………………________/100
Completed Satire ………………… ...……………………………..________/100
Revision on Rough Draft…………………………………………..________/50
Rough Draft and Pre-writing ………………………………………_______/50
Revised/Reflected bell work………………………………………________/50
Overall Presentation and Clarity…………………………………..________/50
Total Points……………………………….._________/500
Day One
Objectives: distribute and review unit packet information introduce literary term: Satire analyze songs for poetic devices, tone and theme
HOMEWORK: bring interactive reader read
o “Satire” (584-585) o “Building Background: Ireland in Swift’s Day”(611)o Vocabulary: “recognize” column and assigned word(s)
Books: No Book
Instructional Plan Bell work: Song analysis (30 minutes):
o distribute lyrics to “Ebay” by Weird Al Yankovik (see attachment #1)o students respond to the following on a piece of binder paper
1. Identify the subject of this song.2. Identify the theme of this song and provide and explanation.3. Describe the speaker in this song4. Describe the tone of this song and provide evidence5. Respond to or reflect on the commentary being made
o moderate a class discussion o collect binder paper
Distribute Packet Expectations (10 minutes) Satire activity (50 minutes):
o define satire (see attachment #2)o watch Shrek clip (51.20-53.20)o referring to their notes, ask students to identify at least one example
from the clip for each of the four techniques of satire. Show clip again. Exaggeration: Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats Robin Hood and all of
his Merry Men without any help and without any weapons. Incongruity: Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to deliver a knockout punch to one of
the Merry Men. While frozen in a mid-air martial arts kick, Princess Fiona pauses to fix her disheveled hair before knocking out two of the Merry Men.
Reversal: The roles of the hero and the damsel in distress have been reversed. In this clip, it is Princess Fiona, the rescuee, who fights and defeats the foe.
Parody: The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style and special effects used in movies such as The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
o students identify the primary comments or criticisms about society that are being made by the satirical techniques in the clip
The traditional story of the knight rescuing the damsel-in-distress is not a realistic depiction of the roles filled by men and women in modern society.
Current Hollywood action movies like The Matrix have become ridiculous because they are too focused on special effects.
o watch a clip from The Simpsons: “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” (0:00 – 2:36)
o referring to their notes, ask students to identify satiric moments throughout the clip. See if anyone can identify more than 20 examples.
1. The title2. perfect day3. “not imprisoning us”4. prison bus5. police Otto6. drugged Otto7. despondent school kids8. Huck Finn9. Lincoln10. misspelling of Lincoln11. ergonomic fad12. callous teacher
13. required minutes14. clock tampering kit15. JFK voice16. fourth grade drop out17. bizarre excuse18. fake note from mom19. crime lab20. smoking teacher21. tracking implant + perfect
student22. good cop/ bad cop23. Lisa seeing through good
cop/bad cop
o in pairs, have students categorize the examples according to the techniques and ask students to identify the primary comments or criticisms about society that are being made by the clip.
Parody: the title, police Otto, drug Otto, Huck Finn, callous teacher, JFK voice, crime lab, good cop/bad cop
Exaggeration: the perfect day, despondent kids, ergonomic fad, required minutes, fourth grade drop-out, bizarre excuse, mother’s note,
Incongruity: prison bus, Lincoln, smoking teacher, crime lab, tracking implant Reversal: Lisa seeing through the good cop/bad cop
Vocabulary activity (15+ minutes): o distribute vocabulary worksheet (see attachment #3)o for 10 minutes, all students must complete the first column (recognize)o assign each student a vocabulary word – students must define (using a
dictionary) the word, provide connotations and a sentenceo if there is time, students scavenger hunt for the words. If there is not
time, this activity can be moved to the next class period. If it is for homework, assign each student 3 words
Ticket out the door – place these questions on the overheado What did you learn today?o How might this new knowledge help/change/influence you?o What did you like about today?o What about today might you alter in order to improve the learning that
took placeo What is something you really wanted to say during class but didn’t
have the opportunity to share?
Attachment #2 (print 35)WEIRD AL YANKOVIC
"eBay"(sung to the tune of “I want it that way” by Backstreet Boys)
YeahA used ... pink bathrobe
A rare ... mint snowglobeA Smurf ... TV trayI bought on eBay
My house ... is filled with this crapShows up in bubble wrap
Most every dayWhat I bought on eBay
Tell me why (I need another pet rock)Tell me why (I got that Alf alarm clock)
Tell me why (I bid on Shatner's old toupee)They had it on eBay
I'll buy ... your knick-knackJust check ... my feedback
"A++!" they all sayThey love me on eBay
Gonna buy (a slightly-damaged golf bag)Gonna buy (some Beanie Babies, new with tag)
(From some guy) I've never met in NorwayFound him on eBay
I am the type who is liable to snipe youWith two seconds left to go, whoa
Got Paypal or Visa, what erev'll pleaseAs long as I've got the dough
I'll buy ... your tchotchkiesSell me ... your watch, please
I'll buy (I'll buy, I'll buy, I'll buy ...)I'm highest bidder now
(Junk keeps arriving in the mail)(From that worldwide garage sale) (Dukes Of Hazard ashtray)
(Hey! A Dukes Of Hazard ashtray)Oh yeah ... (I bought it on eBay)
Wanna buy (a PacMan Fever lunchbox)Wanna buy (a case on vintage tube socks)
Wanna buy (a Kleenex used by Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre)(Found it on eBay)
Wanna buy (that Farrah Fawcet poster)(Pez dispensers and a toaster)
(Don't know why ... the kind of stuff you'd throw away)
(I'll buy on eBay)What I bought on eBay-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y
Attachment #3 (overhead)
Satire
A literary technique used to ridicule ideas, customs, behaviors, or institutions for the purpose of improving society. Satire uses
exaggeration to force readers to see something in a more critical light.
Exaggeration: To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen.
Incongruity: To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings.
Reversal: To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order of events, gender, racial).
Parody : To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing.
Attachment #4a (print 75)Vocabulary Worksheet
Word Recognize Define Connotation Sentence
Animosity
Countenance
Deference
Deplorable
Despondent
Eminent
Encumbrance
Word Recognize Define Connotation Sentence
Animosity
Countenance
Deference
Deplorable
Despondent
Eminent
Encumbrance
Word Recognize Define Connotation Sentence
Enumerate
Maim
Modest
Prodigious
Propagation
Rudiment
Scrupulous
Assignment 4b (print 35)
Day Two
Objectives: review elements of satire packet information introduce literary term: irony read “A Modest Proposal” analyze songs for poetic devices, satire, tone and theme
HOMEWORK: read “A Modest Proposal”; bring interactive reader
Books: interactive reader
Instructional Plan During bell-work, check and sign vocabulary (recognize plus done), check for
interactive reader
Bell work: Song analysis(30 minutes):o distribute lyrics to “Outside a Small Circle of Friends” by Phil Ochs
(see attachment #5)o students answer the following on a piece of binder papero place the following on the overhead
1. Identify the subject of this song.2. Identify the theme of this song and provide and explanation.3. Describe the speaker in this song4. Describe the tone of this song and provide evidence5. Respond to or reflect on the commentary being made
o moderate a class discussion
Irony activity (30 minutes): o provide the definition of the term irony and verbal irony(see
attachment #6) copy definition on literary terms pageo look again at the lyrics of “Outside a Small Circle of Friends”o complete the “Drawing Conclusions” chart to identify the author’s
purpose. (see attachment #7)o complete the “Truth Revealed” chart to identify ironic statements and
the focus of the satire (see attachment #8).
“A Modest Proposal” Pre-reading (10 minutes): o Review the history surrounding “A Modest Proposal”o Review literary terms (satire and irony)o Introduce literary term (proposal)o Create a “Drawing Conclusions” chart (see attachment #9)
For each paragraph, students must choose a line to respond to. Lines should focus on political, social, ethical, religious or
philosophical
o Choice of lines and responses must demonstrate an understanding of the text, the purpose of satire and irony and a contemplation of the subject matter.
“A Modest Proposal” Reading activity (20 minutes)o Read the first three paragraphs aloud o Model (and then provide opportunity for guided practice) filling out
the chart.
Vocabulary scavenger hunt (10 minutes max) Ticket Out the Door
o What did you learn today?o How might this new knowledge help/change/influence you?o What did you like about today?o What about today might you alter in order to improve the learning that
took placeo What is something you really wanted to say during class but didn’t
have the opportunity to share?
attachment #5a (print 35)Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends
By Phil Ochs
Look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbedThey've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the painBut Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends.
Riding down the highway, yes, my back is getting stiffThirteen cars are piled up, they're hanging on a cliff.
Maybe we should pull them back with our towing chainBut we gotta move and we might get sued and it looks like it's gonna rain
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends.
Sweating in the ghetto with the (colored/Panthers) and the poorThe rats have joined the babies who are sleeping on the floor
Now wouldn't it be a riot if they really blew their tops?But they got too much already and besides we got the cops
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends.
Oh there's a dirty paper using sex to make a saleThe Supreme Court was so upset, they sent him off to jail.Maybe we should help the fiend and take away his fine. (*)
But we're busy reading Playboy and the Sunday New York TimesAnd I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends
Smoking marihuana is more fun than drinking beer,But a friend of ours was captured and they gave him thirty years
Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody whyBut demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends
Oh look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbedThey've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the painBut Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends
(see reverse for notes on the song)
Attachment #5b (print 35)
The first verse is a commentary on the murder of Kitty Genovese. She was murdered March 14th, 1964 in NYC.
On March 13, 1964, a 28 year old New York City woman gained world-wide recognition for her role in an event which even today is remembered by people everywhere, creating a legacy still held up as an example of American values, or lack thereof. There can be no doubt, however, that Kitty Genovese would have given all her worldly possessions to have avoided the global "fame" acquired on that Friday the 13th that gave to her the ultimate horror associated with this symbol of bad luck.
Even though 47,000 New York City residents have been murdered since, hers remains the most tragic because 38 "citizens" awakened by her cries for help watched as she was assaulted not once, but three times over a half hour period. Not only did they fail to come to her aid, they also failed to call the police for help. Vincent Mosely, her assailant, stabbed her several times, then left, only to return a few minutes later to cut her up a little more.
During his brief absence, these "decent" New Yorkers turned off their lights and went back to sleep, only to be awakened again by this second assault, a scene repeated a third time, after which she no longer needed the assistance she failed to get the first, second or even the third, and final time.
During Mosely's trial, witnesses made several statements, but one stands above the rest as a symbol of this tragic event and is the reason for its world-wide infamy: "We didn't want to get involved." No surprise to Mosely, for as he said: "I knew they wouldn't do anything - they never do."
Hundreds, if not thousands, of studies were done about this event and book after book after book announced the downfall of American values because of it. One study concluded that on average, if more than 4 people witness an event, nobody will do anything. Each person will say to themselves "I don't have to get involved since there are other people here who can help."
Attachment #6 (overhead)
Irony
An important element of satire is irony, the contrast between
what is expected and what actually happens. One type of irony
that is typical of satirical prose is verbal irony. Verbal irony
occurs when what is said is not exactly what is meant - as when
someone says “Nice day, isn’t it?” during a rainstorm.
Attachment #7 (overhead)
Drawing Conclusions
How can you tell what an author really means? Draw conclusions. Look for
the deeper meaning beneath the surface details.
As you read, use a chart like the one below to record your reactions to the
song “Outside A Small Circle of Friends”. In the first column, write down a
statement from the selection that seems important or surprising to you. In
the second column, record your response to that statement.
Complete this activity on the back of your bell work (half a page)
Statement from the song: Your Comments/Reactions:
“But Monopoly is so much fun Monopoly is not that fun of a gameI’d hate to blow the game” The author places the importance
of the game above the importance of the scene outside
Attachment #8 (overhead)
Irony is the contrast between expectation and reality. Verbal irony is a specific kind of irony in which what is said is not what is meant. The title of the song, “Outside a Small Circle of Friends” is an example of verbal irony, because the subject of the song is hardly a small circle of friends but instead the whole society. The verbal irony of the title points to the ironic tone of the song as a whole. But the author’s irony is not an end in itself; he used it to expose what he saw as deep truths.
Work with a partner to find at least three ironic statements in “Outside a Small Circle of Friends” that reveal important facts about our society’s mentality towards trouble and suffering. Use graphics like those below to organize your ideas.
Complete on the back of your bell work (half a page)
What type of person is the author satirizing? Is he successful?
Ironic Statement: “But Monopoly is so much fun, I’d hate to blow the game”
Truth Revealed: People are apathetic and will find any excuse not to help others.
Attachment #9(overhead)
1
2+3
4+5
30+31
32+33
Instructions:
1. Begin the chart above –Prepare the headings This assignment will require plenty of space to write
both the lines and your responses.
2. As you read “A Modest Proposal,” pause at the end of every two paragraphs and find a line that addresses or explicates one of the following issues: political, philosophical, ethical, religious, social
3. Write the line and identify the issue and what comment it is making about that issue.
4. Draw a conclusion about the line and what it says about the culture in which it was written.
This chart will be checked off next class period for progress and then collected in the unit packet.
A reading quiz will occur next class period
Paragraph # Statement Issue Your comments/reactions
Day Three
Objectives: quiz on pre-reading, satire, irony and proposal writing finish “A Modest Proposal” work complete vocabulary worksheet
HOMEWORK:
Books: interactive reader
Instructional Plan check for interactive reader
Bell work: Song analysis (30 minutes):o distribute “Rockin’ in the Free World” by (see attachment #10)o students answer the following on a piece of binder papero place the following on the overhead
1. Identify the subject of this song.2. Identify the theme of this song and provide and explanation.3. Describe the speaker in this song4. Describe the tone of this song and provide evidence5. Identify the irony within the song 6. Respond to or reflect on the commentary being made
o moderate a class discussion
Answer questions about “A Modest Proposal” (15 minutes)o Individually or in pairs, students answer questions and prepare for a
class discussion of the reading (see attachment #12)o Each individual (even if in pairs) must create four questions (2 above
the surface and 2 below the surface)Put on overhead:
above the surface – can be answered by looking back through the text. These are comprehension questions – ideas or words that you were confused about
below the surface – can be answered only by adding outside the text information such as prior knowledge, opinion or other works
o turn in answers to questions and write questions on scraps of paper Class Discussion
o Students participate in a class discussion by answering the questions they’ve created
attachment #10(print 35)"Rockin' In The Free World"
There's colors on the streetRed, white and blue
People shufflin' their feetPeople sleepin' in their shoes
But there's a warnin' signon the road ahead
There's a lot of people sayin'we'd be better off deadDon't feel like Satan,
but I am to themSo I try to forget it,
any way I can.
Keep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free worldKeep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free world.
I see a woman in the nightWith a baby in her handUnder an old street light
Near a garbage canNow she puts the kid away,and she's gone to get a hit
She hates her life,and what she's done to it
There's one more kid
that will never go to schoolNever get to fall in love,
never get to be cool.
Keep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free worldKeep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free world.
We got a thousand points of lightFor the homeless man
We got a kinder, gentler,Machine gun hand
We got department storesand toilet paper
Got styrofoam boxesfor the ozone layer
Got a man of the people,says keep hope alive
Got fuel to burn,got roads to drive.
Keep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free worldKeep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free world.
Attachment #11(print 35)Thinking through the literature
1. Go back through the essay and find at least two places where you think Swift’s satire is particularly powerful. Look back through your notes on satire (Shrek and the Simpsons) and specifically mention effectively used tactics.
2. In your opinion, why did Swift have the speaker list “other expedients” to solve Ireland’s problems?
Think about: the types of proposals the speaker mentions the contrast between those proposals and the “modest proposal” Swift’s overall purpose for writing the essay
3. Poverty and starvation in 18th-century Ireland inspired Swift to write “A Modest Proposal.” What are some of the social and political issues that might inspire satirists today? Give reasons for your choices. (Think hard as this will help you during the class discussion and while writing your own satire.
4. Create a visual aid of Swift’s calculations that will help others clearly understand the ‘logic’ of his solution. Create a diagram that he could use in his presentation. In addition to a bar graph to show figures, use the following sample diagram as a model for your own.
problemWhoWhatWhenWhereWhy
solution
projected results
Day Four
Objectives: Begin writing a satire
HOMEWORK: finish writing the satire
Books: interactive reader
Instructional Plan check for interactive reader
Bell work: Song analysis(30 minutes):o distribute “Gangstas Paradise” by Coolio (see attachment #12)o students answer the following on a piece of binder papero place the following on the overhead
1. Identify the subject of this song.2. Identify the theme of this song and provide and explanation.3. Describe the speaker in this song4. Describe the tone of this song and provide evidence5. Identify the problem that needs to be solved within the song 6. Respond to or reflect on the commentary being made
o moderate a class discussion
Begin writing satire Writing prompt: Write a satire on the subject of your choice. Purpose: To persuade and entertain
* Students brainstorm a list of
Writing “A Modest Proposal:Prewriting:
Brainstorm: Make a list of all the things that bother you about the school, the community, the world, and people in general.
Choose your victim: Of the things you listed, which do you think bothers you the most? Which one do you believe most says something about a social belief or
Satire depends on a careful analysis and evaluation of the target subject. Pick apart those aspects of your subject that seem weak or absurd and plan to highlight these in your piece.
o Choose a form: Satire comes in all sizes, shapes and forms. It can be a letter, a proposal, an advice column, a report, an essay, a speech, or a story. Select a form that you think fits your subject.
o Match your tone with your goal: do you want to poke gentle fun or offer biting criticism? Your goal should determine your tone.
o Flaunt your attitude: Satire enables writers to go too far. You can make absurd and ridiculous suggestions. You can exaggerate the importance of trivial events or facts. You can understate critical truths. It’s all part of your attitude and with the right use of satirical techniques you can pull it off.
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