This lesson is designed to use with Chapter 1 of the novel "A Taste of Blackberries". Students will use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two main characters and then relate the material to their own lives.
Students apply their knowledge of communities as they compare and contrast the home life described in "Sarah Plain and Tall" to the home life described in "Because of Winn-Dixie".
This lesson can be used with numerous pieces of literature, videos or cassette material to develop viewing and listening skills and the students ability to compare and contrast. One of the richest sources is in the area of fairytales and folktales. This an especially good source if you can find a modernized version in video or cassette form to contrast with the more traditional written form. I have used the "Frog Prince" because of this factor and because it was part of the 4th grade language arts reading unit.
Students use black and white art media to create a high contrast still life.
This lesson contrasts and compares the names Native peoples of North Carolina gave to places with the names given by later settlers. This unit is based on Lesson 4.7 in "Intrigue of the Past: North Carolina's First Peoples", which is part of a national curriculum-development program called "Project Archaeology."
Students will learn point of view by comparing and contrasting the views of slaves and a doctor in The People Could Fly retold by Virginia Hamilton and The Passing Cloud -- The Southern Negro by David Morrill. I strongly suggest the teacher previews The Passing Cloud -- The Southern Negro by David Morrill. The entire text is not needed in order for students to form an opinion or to learn point of view. Some students and parents may find the language offensive. I found the text interesting because it allows students to actually read the historical views of some people who lived in the area during the 1800's and early 1900's.
This module calls attention to the importance of the final rehearsals prior to the concert. Attention is given to bringing the music to a performance level and refining the choral tone as well as the musical phrasing.
