Welcome toWelcome to

Mrs. Donati’sMrs. Donati’s

reading classreading class

Throughout the year, Throughout the year, we’ve read…we’ve read…

and been inspired and been inspired by many novels and by many novels and

short stories.short stories.Such as…Such as…

Roll of ThunderRoll of ThunderHear My CryHear My Cry

Mildred D. TaylorMildred D. Taylor

A Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two CitiesCharles DickensCharles Dickens

A multilevel narrativeA multilevel narrative

Setting: The chief characteristic of Setting: The chief characteristic of A Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two Cities that sets that sets it apart from other Dickens' it apart from other Dickens' novels is its historical setting. novels is its historical setting.

Plot: Dickens contrasts late Plot: Dickens contrasts late eighteenth-century Paris and eighteenth-century Paris and London both to advance the London both to advance the plot and to draw conclusions plot and to draw conclusions about the nature of freedom about the nature of freedom and the redeeming power of and the redeeming power of love. love.

My Brother Sam Is DeadMy Brother Sam Is DeadChristopher Collier & Christopher Collier & James Lincoln CollierJames Lincoln Collier

In In My Brother Sam Is My Brother Sam Is

Dead, Dead, our focus was on our focus was on characterization.characterization.

Short StoriesShort StoriesTo name a few…

As we read short stories, our As we read short stories, our focus was on the following:focus was on the following:

Plot Plot CharacterCharacter SettingSetting

Point of ViewPoint of View ToneTone

ThemeTheme Total EffectTotal Effect

As an As an example…example…

The Dinner PartyThe Dinner PartyMona GardnerMona Gardner

We studied:We studied:

PlotPlot

The sequence of related events or actions The sequence of related events or actions in a story.in a story.

A NincompoopA NincompoopAnton ChekhovAnton Chekhov

We studied:

ThemeThe central idea or underlying

meaning about human nature that is developed in a story.

CharlesCharlesShirley JacksonShirley Jackson

We studied:We studied:

CharacterCharacter

A person—or animal or thing presented A person—or animal or thing presented as a person—appearing in a work of as a person—appearing in a work of

literature. literature.

The Tell-Tale HeartThe Tell-Tale HeartEdgar Allen PoeEdgar Allen Poe

We Studied:

Total Effect

The central impression or impact that a

literary work has on its readers.

The RavenThe Raven

Reading The Raven was a challenge as we worked with

all story elements for this short story.

A typical day in the classroomA typical day in the classroom

Don’t forget to check out our Don’t forget to check out our Roll of Thunder…Roll of Thunder…

Projects Projects

Thanks for stopping by our classroom!Thanks for stopping by our classroom!