Black Boy

Warm-Up

• Complete the anticipation guide for “Black Boy.” Keep this anticipation guide and track your opinions throughout your reading.

Background Information

• 1. Biography• 2. Harlem Renaissance, Blues, Jazz• 3. Naturalism, Pre-Individualistic Behavior• 4. Black Boy, Jim Crow Laws

• Your group is responsible for summarizing the sections of the article assigned to you. Be prepared to share.

Research Tasks

• You will be responsible for researching the topics you draw.

• You may swap with another students if you don’t like what you have and the other student agrees. You will be responsible for presenting your findings to the class in a presentation.

Chapter 1: Black Boy

1. Why was Richard nearly beaten to death by his mother? 2. Why did Richard kill the kitten? 3. What did Richard do to pass the time of day when he was six

years old?4. How did Richard learn to count? 5. What did Richard learn in his first day of school? 6. What did Richard do to show off all the four-letter words he had learnt at school? 7. In whose favor did the judge rule?.8. Why did Richard have to go to an orphan’s home? 9. Why did Mrs. Wright and Richard go to see Mr. Wright?

Pair Up with A Partner

• Check your answers to the quiz.• Be prepared to share you answers.• If you do not agree, work toward a consensus.

Complete the Chapter Graphic Organizer

With a partner, complete the graphic organizer.When you are finished, write one question that you have about the first chapter. Use the DCAS prep questions in your notes to help you write a question. You will be asking this question to your classmates in the circle discussion.

Summary

• What are three things you learned today, either about the novel itself or its historical/cultural context?

• Explain one way the main character is similar to you or someone you know. Explain one way the main character is different from you or someone you know.

• Tell who you plan to research your topic.

Warm-Up

• Have out your completed notes for chapter 2 and your chapter 1 graphic organizer.

• Prepare for your quiz by numbering a half sheet of paper from 1-5.

Quiz

• 1.Why didn’t Granny want Richard to read story books? • 2. Why did Granny hit Richard with a wet towel? Why

does his punishment seem unjust to him? • 3.On the trip to Arkansas, Richard becomes aware of

the separations between blacks and whites. When he asks his mother questions about racial differences, what is her reaction to him and why does she act that way?

• 4.What happened to Uncle Hoskins? Why?• 5.What was ironic about Betsy’s death?

Research Assignments

• Naquesha: Harriet Tubman• Rashawn: H.L. Mencken• Shane: Slavery • Nick: Fredrick Douglass• Rylie: KKK• Jorge:• Mary Ann Shad• Anthony: Booker T. Washington• Javier: Martin R. Delany• Jordan: John Mercer Langston• Zach: Communism

Structure Your Journal

• Every two chapters, you will submit two journal entries: one for each chapter.

• You will be given 20 minutes at the beginning of class to write your journal entry for the previous chapter. This should be at least 1 page in length. Spelling and grammar count.

• Ideally, you will submit a two sided journal page every other class: one journal on each side.

Chapter 1 Journal: Answer the following questions in at least 3 Paragraphs- well

organized paragraphs- NOT A LIST

• 1. Why is language frustrating?• 2. When have you had difficulty expressing yourself?• 3. What situations seem to be more difficult than

others?• 4. What problems do you find in Chapter one that

relate to Wright’s use of language?• 5. What evidence is there in this chapter that

demonstrates Richard’s rebellious nature?

Circle Discussions

• After the quiz and journal questions, we will have a circle discussion based on the chapter.

• You will be completing an annotation guide for each chapter that will serve as both your notes to study for the quiz, as well as the place to write your questions for the class discussions.

Annotation Guide

• Refer to chapter 1 to complete the front of the annotation guide with your partners.

• When you are finished, use the DCAS question stems to create 5 questions to be written on the back of the annotation guide.

Chapter 2 Discussion

• Ask 1 question from your groups about chapter two.

• Write what you leaned in the summary box. • Be prepared to share.

Homework

• Read and complete annotation guides for Ch. 1-3.

Warm-Up

• Prepare for your quiz by numbering a half sheet of paper from 1-8.

• You may use your annotation guides for help.

Quiz• 1. What is the focus of conversation during Richard’s talk with his friends

at the beginning of the chapter?• 2. Wright states that the white boys and the black boys “tacitly” agreed

to stay on opposite sides of the round house. What is the meaning of “tacitly?”

• 3. What does Richard promise his mother after being injured in the fight? Why does he or does he not keep this promise?

• 4. After his mother’s stroke, where does Richard’s brother go? Where does Richard go?

• 5. What does Richard do on his first day of school?• 6. Why does Richard become unable to sleep?• 7. Where does Richard go at the end of the chapter?• 8. How old is Richard at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 3 Journal Entry

• At the beginning of the chapter, there is a conversation between Richard and his friends that deals with race issues from the boy’s perspective. Each utterance is followed by a brief phrase written by the narrator. In 2-3 paragraphs, respond to the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the phrases following each line of dialogue?

• Choose one line of dialogue and the phrase the follows it. Explain, giving reasons to support your answer, the meaning of the phase following the line of dialogue and how it relates to or sheds light on the boy’s words.

Warm-Up for Ch. 4-5

• By now, you should have completed annotation guides and questions for chapters 1-5. Have those out on your desk for the quiz.

Quiz• 1.How does Richard defend himself from Aunt Addie’s attempts to beat him

after school?• 2. What is “Popping the Whip?”• 3.What worries Granny the most about Richard?• 4. How does Richard hurt and embarrass Granny?• 5. What gives Richard pleasure at the end of Ch. 4?• 6. In the beginning of Ch. 5, how does Richard’s family react to his promotion at

school?• 7. Why does Richard get a job selling papers instead of working on Saturdays?• 8. Why are the members of Richard’s community concerned by the newspapers

he sells?• 9. Why does Aunt Addie threaten to kill Richard in Ch. 5?• 10. Why is Uncle Tom mad at Richard for delivering the news of Grandpa’s

death? Why is Richard disheartened by this?

Chapter 4 Journal

• Analyze the influence that Richard’s aunt and grandmother have on the negative impressions he develops toward the church. Trace the main events of the chapter that contribute to Richard’s negative impression of the church and explain their effect on Richard’s view of religion.

Warm-Up

• Prepare for your quiz on chapters 6 and 7 by numbering your paper from 1-10.

• Have out your annotation guides for notes and discussion.

• If I have not yet received your chapter 1, 3 and 4 journals, please place them in the B1 bin.

Quiz1. Why didn’t Richard return to work for the white woman who gave him

moldy molasses?2. What is Richard’s reaction to his baptism?3. Why does Uncle Tom want to beat Richard?4. How does Richard verbally attack Uncle Tom? What does he say to belittle

his Uncle?5. Who’s dog bites Richard in Chapter 7?6. What is the title of Richard’s story?7. How do Richard’s friends and family react to his publishing a story? 8. Why does Richard dream of going North?9. What, according to Richard, does the educational system of the south aim

to stifle?10. When Richard would ask questions in school, how would his teachers often

react?

Chapter 5 and 6 Journal

• Richard’s first exposures to the white world are through the various jobs he takes on while trying to support himself and his family.

• Analyze at least three different jobs Richard takes on, beginning with Chapter 5, and explain how each reveals racial tension. You should write at least three paragraphs.

Circle Discussions

• Have your five questions prepared.• You will ask a question and person will answer.• Once that person has answered, we will open

the floor for others to respond.• Be sure to take notes on the discussion.• Be prepared to summarize what you have

learned at the end of class.

Warm-Up

• Prepare for your Chapter 8 quiz by numbering a sheet of paper from 1-10.

• Have out your annotation guides and be prepared for a class discussion.

• Place your completed chapter 5 and 6 journal in the B1 bin.

Ch. 8 Quiz• 1. What convinces Richard to not seek out a job at the sawmill?• 2. How does racial violence encroach upon Richard in this chapter?• 3. What helps Richard to make the final decision to leave home?• 4. Richard is selected as the Valedictorian; what does this mean?• 5. Why does the principal write the speech for Richard?• 6. Why doesn’t Richard accept the principal’s speech?• 7. How do other students react to Richard’s denial to recite the

principal’s speech?• 8. How is Richard treated by his brother when he returns home?• 9. How old is Richard at the end of the chapter?• 10. What is one word you would use to describe the mood of the

chapter?

Chapter 6, 7, and 8 Circle discussions

• Have your five questions prepared.• You will ask a question and person will answer.• Once that person has answered, we will open

the floor for others to respond.• Be sure to take notes on the discussion.• Be prepared to summarize what you have

learned at the end of class.

Warm-Up

• Please have out your notes and circle discussion questions.

• Prepare for your quiz by numbering your paper from 1-5.

Quiz

• Where does Richard get a job?• Who is Pease?• Why does Richard leave his new job?• What does his boss try to get him to do after

he decides to leave?• Why do the boys in the car mistreat Richard?

Chapter 9 Circle Discussion

• Have your five questions prepared.• You will ask a question and person will answer.• Once that person has answered, we will open

the floor for others to respond.• Be sure to take notes on the discussion.• Be prepared to summarize what you have

learned at the end of class.

Chapter 9 Journal Entry

• In this chapter, Richard is faced with a choice: to speak out against the white co-workers who tormented him and risk being “marked,” or to lose his opportunity to be trained in a trade and finally begin making enough money to support himself.

• Analyze Richard’s decision to “snitch” or not. Evaluate whether he made the right choice. Explain your judgment.

Chapter 9 Summary

• In this chapter, the Yankee boss gives Richard a chance at receiving justice by exposing the wrongs that his white co-workers perpetrated upon him. Richard chooses not to. Explain the social forces that pressure Richard to stay quiet. Are the attempts of the Yankee boss enough to do any good, or are they ultimately powerless to improve Richard’s situation? Explain

Warm-Up

• Have your chapter annotation guides 1-10 on your desk for me to view while you take your quiz.

Ch. 10 Quiz• 1. How does Richard initially react to losing his job at the optical

company? What does he decide to do eventually?• 2. Why doesn’t Richard gamble and socialize with his co-workers at the

hotel?• 3. Why do many of Richard’s co-workers steal?• 4. How does Richard make extra money at the hotel? • 5. Explain why Richard decides to take the job at the movie theater. • 6. To what does Richard compare his emotions while participating in

the movie theatre scheme? • 7. Why does Richard risk going to jail?• 8. How does Richard get the final bit of money he needs?• 9. What does he promise his mother?• 10. In Richard’s words at the end of the chapter, what does crime carry?

Chapter 10 Journal

• Evaluate Richard’s decision to participate in criminal activity. Explain if committing a crime is ever justifiable. If you were a judge presiding over a trial trying Richard for his crimes and knew every thing about Richard’s decisions, would you find him guilty? Explain your decision.

• If you believe Richard’s decision is justified, why does he feel guilty?

• If you believe Richard’s decision is not justified explain how he could have achieved his goal legally.

Warm-Up

• Review your annotation guides;• Number your papers from 1-8.

• 1.Who was Mrs. Moss?• 2.Who was Bess? • 3.What plans did Mrs. Moss have for Richard? • 4.Why did Richard refuse Bess?• 5.Who was Shorty and why did Richard dislike him? • 6. Why did Richard fight Harrison? • 7.Why do you think Richard felt unclean after the

fight? • 8. Define “atone”

Circle Discussions

• Have your five questions prepared.• You will ask a question and person will answer.• Once that person has answered, we will open

the floor for others to respond.• Be sure to take notes on the discussion.• Be prepared to summarize what you have

learned at the end of class.

Ch. 11-12 Journal

• In chapters 11 and 12, Richard is faced with social pressures; he successfully rejects one social pressure, but is unable to avoid succumbing to another.

• Explain the two main social pressures exerted upon Richard in chapters 11 and 12. Analyze the reasons why Richard is able to reject one, but not the other. Richard says that he feels shame in both situations; explain why he feels ashamed and evaluate whether or not he should feel ashamed in each situation and why.

Warm-Up

• The presentations will be completed in the order that the name generator selects them. Please be ready to present.

• To expedite the presentations:• If you have your presentation on a flash drive,

upload them to our class website so we may simply download your presentation instead of waiting for the drivers for your flash drive to load.

• Post them under Powerpoints>Black Boy

Presentations

• As your classmates present, you will be tasked with completing the audience participation sheet.

• This counts toward your overall presentation grade, so be sure to complete it to the best of your ability.

Warm-Up

• We are three quarters through the school year. You only have one marking period left.

• What are your goals for your classes for the rest of this year?

• How do you plan to achieve these goals?

DCAS Goal Setting

• Use the report sheet to help you complete the Student Goal Setting and Progress Monitoring Form.

• Circle the following information on your report sheet

• A. Fall DCAS Reading Instructional Score• B. Spring DCAS Reading Instructional Score• C. Growth Goal/Target

Follow the steps to complete your Goal Setting Form (This will be collected and graded today).

• 1. Complete your name, grade, and career goal • 2. Write the Reading instructional score numbers

from your grade sheet onto the Fall and Spring I blanks

• 3. Use the numbers you circled on your grade sheet to plot your progress and Spring II goal.

• 4. Answer the questions.• 5. Write your GOAL number and score (1-4) for

Spring II.

Ch. 15 and 16 Quiz• 1.Once Richard gets to Chicago what is the first job he finds? • 2.Who are the Hoffmans? • 3.Why does Richard have trouble with the Hoffmans?• 4.What kind of examination does Richard take? • 5.How many days does Richard take off from work for the

examination?• 6. What does he tell the Hoffmans when he returns?• 7. What is the weight Richard must attain to get his new job?• 8.Who are the Garveyites? • 9. What job does Richard take when his mother, brother and aunt

fall ill? • 10. As the depression worsens, what is Richard forced to do?

Fishbowl

• Two students will be placed within the “Fishbowl”.

• Students in the outer circle will ask questions of the students in the “Fishbowl.”

• Students will leave the fishbowl when they give an answer that is a good balance of evidence and commentary.

Warm-Up

• Sketch a drawing that you think might be published on the cover of “Left Front” or “The Masses.” Refer to the descriptions in the novel if you need to.

Quiz

• 1. What job does Richard obtain through the federal relief program? What does he realize at his job about segregation?  

• 2. Why do doctors cut the dogs’ vocal cords?  • 3. What makes Richard feel like a slave while he is cleaning the

steps? • 4. Why is Richard immediately drawn to the Communist Party? • 5. How does Richard realize that the Communists have not

found the right language for mass appeal? • 6. Why is Richard elected executive secretary of the Club? 7. What is the significance of Comrade Young? • 8. What was the John Reed Club?

Outer Circle Questions

• What is the most interesting question you heard?

• What is the answer you would have given to that question?

• Why is this question important to understanding the novel as a whole?