Learning Goal: Learn how to conduct a close reading, draw inferences from the text and use textual evidence to support a claim. IN ADDITION, you will be able to utilize accountable talk in your discussions. RATE YOURSELF!

A Lesson Before Dying

DO NOW

•MY CLAIM – Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Montag moves from being dehumanized to being human. • Agree or refute with evidence

from the text. – 3 minutes with a 2 minute pair/share

In order to answer that question, you had to read closely, but what exactly is a

close reading?

Close reading is paying especially close attention to what is printed on the page. It is a much more subtle and complex process than the term might suggest.

Turn & Talk – 3 mins.How might an author’s choice of words contribute to a close read?

Add to your response

Close reading involves playing detective: looking at the work's particular vocabulary, sentence construction, patterns, and words that convey imagery. While doing a close read, you need to ask yourself, What is the author implying?

Making Inferences

Figuring out what the author is implying will require you to make inferences.

• To infer requires that you guess the probable meaning.

_______ 1. The boy doesn’t like monkeys._______ 2. The boy has probably never seen animals in a zoo._______ 3. The father is angry with the boy._______ 4. The boy thinks the monkey is being punished._______ 5. The boy and his father go to the zoo often.

Making Inferences from a Cartoon

_______ 1. Gulliver’s Travels is a true story._______ 2. The man on the ground recently ate lunch and is taking a nap._______ 3. The book has something to do with a journey._______ 4. The illustrated large man is likely an important character. _______ 5. The story in the book takes place in modern times.

How did you do?

Did you figure out what the cartoonists were implying? Turn your dice to indicate your level of understanding.

Turn and talk to your partner – What does it mean to infer?

To infer requires that you guess the probable meaning.

PRACTICE - Chapter 1 page 3

I WAS NOT THERE, yet I was there. No, I did not go to the trial, I did not hear the verdict, because I knew all the time what it would be. Still, I was there. I was there as much as anyone else was there. Either I sat behind my aunt and his godmother or I sat beside them.

While doing a close read on the opening of the novel, you’ll need to ask yourself…

1. What is the first thing you notice?

2. Do you notice any patterns in the text—repetitions, contradictions, or similarities…?

3. What do the words suggest or imply? In other words, what can you infer?

4. What is the mood?

5. How does the text make you react to or think about Grant?

5 mins – 20 mins. total .

Shared Close Reading

• In groups of three or four, you will read the first (very short) chapter of A Lesson Before Dying.

• During this time, you will support or refute my claim – In A Lesson Before Dying, Jefferson is dehumanized. Agree or refute with evidence from the text. Use your worksheet to gather information.

REMINDER - While doing a close read, you and your group will need to consider…

1. What is the first thing you notice?

2. Do you notice any patterns in the text—repetitions and/or contradictions ?

3. What do the words suggest or imply? In other words, what can you infer?

4. What is the mood?

5. How does the text make you react or think about Grant, Jefferson, Miss Emma, and/or Jefferson’s attorney?

Looking Ahead…

• Reread chapter one and come to the next class ready to discuss your close read.

• You will have an opportunity to briefly discuss your reactions to the text.

• Be ready to present your findings to your classmates.