The Pearl
Age 11-13: Concept 1 - Semester 1: Unit 1
What happens when a simple, honest family man finds wealth beyond imagination? You may be surprised how the discovery changes his life forever. Set in La Paz, Mexico at the turn of the 20th century, this compelling novella teaches valuable life lessons about the consequences of greed and what brings true happiness.
Practice identifying and using a variety of prepositional, verbal, and appositive phrases. Write your own parable to teach a universal lesson.
This unit is designed to be used in conjunction with the science unit, The Hydrosphere, and the social science unit, Egypt and Mesopotamia, but it can also be used as an independent literature unit.
Practice identifying and using a variety of prepositional, verbal, and appositive phrases. Write your own parable to teach a universal lesson.
This unit is designed to be used in conjunction with the science unit, The Hydrosphere, and the social science unit, Egypt and Mesopotamia, but it can also be used as an independent literature unit.
Prerequisites
- Able to read and comprehend novels at a late 7th or 8th grade reading level
- Able to write multiple paragraphs on a topic
- Familiar with the five-paragraph essay
Table of Contents
- Lesson 1: Steinbeck
- Lesson 2: The Scorpion
- Lesson 3: The Pearl
- Lesson 4: Related Research (2 Days)
- Lesson 5: Songs
- Lesson 6: For Sale
- Lesson 7: The Attack
- Lesson 8: Escape
- Lesson 9: Parables
- Lesson 10: Writing a Parable (3 Days)
- Final Project: Think-Tac-Toe (2 Days)
Summary of Skills
Moving Beyond the Page is based on state and national standards. These standards are covered in this unit.
- Analyze how place and time influence the theme or message of a literary work. (Language Arts)
- Analyze the connections of relationships between and among characters. (Language Arts)
- Analyze the effects of characterization. (Language Arts)
- Analyze the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language and irony. (Language Arts)
- Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by understanding the effects of the author's craft on the reader. (Language Arts)
- Apply and master proofreading symbols for editing. (Language Arts)
- Choose language that is precise, engaging, and well suited to the topic and audience. (Language Arts)
- Deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience. (Language Arts)
- Describe complex characters and a definite setting. (Language Arts)
- Describe multiple themes in a work of fiction. (Language Arts)
- Determine the figurative meaning of phrases and analyze how an author's use of language creates imagery, appeals to the senses, and suggests mood. (Language Arts)
- Determine the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener. (Language Arts)
- Draw conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information. (Language Arts)
- Draw inferences and/or conclusions. (Language Arts)
- Engage the audience with appropriate verbal cues, facial expressions, and gestures. (Language Arts)
- Establish a context, standard plot line (having a beginning, conflict, rising action, climax, and denouement), and point of view. (Language Arts)
- Evaluate the content of oral communication. (Language Arts)
- Examine changes in self throughout the learning process. (Language Arts)
- Experiment with figurative language and speech patterns. (Language Arts)
- Extend vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words. (Language Arts)
- Identify all parts of speech and types and structure of sentences. (Language Arts)
- Identify and trace the development of an author's argument, point of view, or perspective in text. (Language Arts)
- Identify and understand the function of appositive phrases, prepositional phrases, and adverbial and adjectival phrases. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of adverbial and adjectival phrases in the context of reading, writing, and speaking. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of appositive phrases in the context of reading, writing, and speaking. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of different parts of speech. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of infinitives and participles. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of prepositions and prepositional phrases in the context of reading, writing, and speaking. (Language Arts)
- Identify, use, and understand the function of verbs and adjectives in writing. (Language Arts)
- Listen to and monitor self to correct errors. (Language Arts)
- Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by applying the parts of speech to clarify language usage. (Language Arts)
- Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by using phrases correctly, including proper punctuation (e.g., prepositional phrases and appositives). (Language Arts)
- Organize information to achieve particular purposes and to appeal to the background and interests of the audience. (SS) (Language Arts)
- Produce final drafts/presentations that demonstrate accurate spelling and the correct use of punctuation, capitalization, and format. (Language Arts)
- Recognize and use commas after introductory words and phrases. (Language Arts)
- Reflect on learning experiences by analyzing personal learning growth and changes in perspective. (Language Arts)
- Respond to expressive materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by generating a learning log or journal. (Language Arts)
- Study the characteristics of different types of literature. (Language Arts)
- Synthesize and make logical connections between ideas within a text and across two or three texts representing similar or different genres. (Language Arts)
- Use a range of appropriate strategies, including dialogue, suspense, and naming of specific narrative action. (Language Arts)
- Use speaking techniques including voice modulation, inflection, tempo, enunciation, and eye contact for effective presentations. (Language Arts)
- Write and speak with a command of standard English conventions. (Language Arts)
- Write narrative writing text in each genre. (Language Arts)
- Organize information to achieve particular purposes and to appeal to the background and interests of the audience. (LA) (Social Studies)