Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket

Jack Finney

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Goals• Content Goal- We will

work on summary, author’s purpose, and evaluating characters’ decisions.

• Language Goal- We will discuss issues related to the story with one person speaking at a time and others listening respectfully.

• (+2)

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Pre-Reading Survey

1. Have you ever used a typewriter?

2. Have you ever used carbon paper?

3. What does cc: mean?

4. How many of you have been in a skyscraper?

5. Have you been to a famous one?

6. Are you afraid of heights or get vertigo? 3

Pre-teaching VocabularyWords you’ve heard. We’ll discuss

the definitions of these words using prefixes and suffixes [when possible] to guess their meanings. Write the definitions next to the words. (+7)

1. absurd (ab = away)2. flimsy3. grimace4. deftness (ness = quality of being)5. imperceptibly (im=not; ible =

able)6. reveling7. interminable (in= not; able = able)

What are some other words with similar prefixes and suffixes?4Page 7

Biography & Literary Device

• Jack Finney (p. 2)– Write down the

most important detail about Jack’s life.

• Suspense (p. 3) – Copy the definition

in your own words.

• (+2) Lexington Avenue and Chrysler Building

Page 5 5

Picture the scenes your author describes to get involved in the story

and read actively.

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New York City Public Library

Fifth Avenue (page 7)Empire State Building

Drawing from the Dimensions

Draw/sketch elements of the scene on your paper (like a word problem in math class) while reading pages 5-8 (+5)

1. How many stories above the ground is Tom’s apartment?

2. How far below the window is the ledge?

3. How many yards are there between the window and the yellow paper?

4. How wide is the ledge?5. What size is the finger hold?

Bonus: There are 8-14 feet in a story. How many feet might Tom be from the ground?

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During Reading Activitypages 8-18

Tom’s wife is at the Loews Theater down the street. As he is standing on the ledge, write a note each time he views himself as if he is “in a movie.” (+5)

1.2.3.4.5.

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CAT Questions - Assessment1. (LC02) Write a summary

of the yellow paper’s journey during this story. Include three main events from the story in your summary. (+3)

2. (LA07) Analyze why Tom opened the apartment window and the consequence of this decision. Include two details from the story support the relationship between cause and effect. (+3)

Remember the language goal: restate questions in the answer; answer in complete sentences. Use specific, text-based details in your answer.

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CAT Questions - Assessment

3. (LT08) What is the author’s purpose for writing this short story? Provide two details from the story to support your answer. (+3)

4. (LT09) What is your opinion of the decisions Tom makes in this story? Provide two details from the story to support your answer. (+3) 10

Post-Reading BrainstormingWhat do you think about

the story’s ending? Did you think it was –

predictable?disappointing? abrupt? heartwarming?

Use an alternative ending with suspense to identify internal & external conflicts.

Why? Explain your opinion including details from the story for support. Elaborate in an essay of 3-5 descriptive PARAGRAPHS.

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