Activator Week 31 Day 1

1. Activator Week 31 Day 1 • On the line that says RL7.4, define figurative language. • Watch the video to help you define the following terms: Simile Metaphor Personification http://bit.ly/oyu64E

2. Simile = direct comparison of two unlike things using the words likeor as • Metaphor = comparing two unlike things without using like or as • Imagery = language appealing to the five senses • Personification = giving an animal, object, or abstract idea human qualities • Tone = an author’s attitude toward the subject examples: sarcastic, humorous, serious • Allusion = indirect reference to a well-known person, event, or object in history or literary work

3. Three types of allusion • Literary allusion: He’s driving me crazy. I don’t know when he’s going to be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. • Biblical allusion: After the fight, Frank stood over Walter feeling like David over Goliath. • Mythological allusion: With a Herculean effort, Nyleslifted the cart off the man trapped underneath.

4. Listen to the recording and answer the following questions: How is the sun described? What type of figurative language is used?

5. Coached Examples 1. When a predator is near, a sea of meerkats pours into the nearest bolt hole to safety. This sentence is an example of • Personification (was something given human qualities?) • Metaphor (were two unlike objects compared?) • Allusion (was a reference made to literature, the Bible, or mythology?) • Simile (did the comparison use like or as?)

6. Coached Example 2. Which sentence is a simile? • Meerkats live in large groups called gangs or mobs. • Members stick to each other like glue, creating tight family units. • Despite their small size, meerkats have impressive survival skills. • Meerkats also like to dig thousands of holes for quick escapes from predators.

7. Be careful…two answers used the word like. • Meerkats live in large groups called gangs or mobs. • Members stick to each other like glue, creating tight family units. • Despite their small size, meerkats have impressive survival skills. • Meerkats also like to dig thousands of holes for quick escapes from predators.

8. Find the figurative language… My trips around the city with Aunt Natalie were always wonderful, even when we did nothing except wander around. She loved exploring uncharted corners of the city. She was a modern-day Columbus, except she didn’t travel by ship.

9. Find the figurative language… Aunt Natalie was a writer, and I think our excursions were fuel for her imagination. Though she and my mother grew up here, she said there were still places to explore. The city was like an open book, and she was still on chapter one.

10. Lesson AssessmentAnswer the questions given to you and then copy this sentence onto your sheet. I stared into the dark, musty tunnel, listening for the thunderous rumble of the approaching train. (Underline the examples of imagery.) 1. D 2. C 3. A 4. A

11. Closing Fold your paper into quarters. • Write four different types of figurative language, one in each box. • Draw a picture of the comparison you made. • Label each box with the type of figurative language used.

12. Activator Day 2 • Define the literary term theme. • It is the central message or lesson • Common themes in literature include: • Honesty is the best policy • Don’t be afraid to try something new • Don’t put off till tomorrow what you should do today • Appearances can be deceiving • Don’t pretend to be something you’re not

13. How to identify a theme… • A. The titleof a passage may be a clue to the theme. Example: The Little Engine that Could (Theme: Keep trying and you will succeed) • B. Pay attention to what the characters repeatedly say or do. Example: One brother pig worked hard to build his house from bricks while the others didn’t. (Theme: Hard work pays off, short cuts do not.)

14. How to identify a theme… • C. Consider the story’s setting and important ideas work together. Example: The setting of Hatchet is the wilderness, and the main character is trying to survive. (Theme: Being creative in tough situations can resolve your problems)

15. How is a summary different from a theme? • A summary is short restatement of the text in your own words. It may include the theme, but it will also include the most important and relevant details. • DO NOT INCLUDE MINOR DETAILS, AND BE SURE TO USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

16. Listen: What is the theme of the passage? • How did you identify the theme?

17. “Mr. Nobody” I know a funny little man as quite as a mouse, Who does the mischief that is done in everybody’s house. There’s no one who’s ever seen his face, And yet we all agree That every plate we break was cracked by Mr. Nobody.

18. What is the theme of the poem? • No one wants to take responsibility for mistakes. • No one ever sees Mr. Nobody • Don’t take the blame for others. • Nobody is perfect.

19. 2. Which line from the poem BEST supports this theme? • “As quiet as a mouse” • “I know a funny little man” • “There’s no one who’s ever seen his face” • “In everybody’s house”

20. Lesson Assessment (Quiz) Complete the four Lesson Assessment questions. • 1. C • 2. C • 3. B • 4. B

21. Show your understanding of theme… • Read Model 1 and Model 2 on page 305 in the literature book. • Answer the Close Read questions to the right of each passage. • Read Part 3: Analyze the Literature on pages 307-309 in the literature book. • Answer the Close Read questions associated with this passage.

22. Closing Pick at least three of these titles and write a four-five sentence summary that includes the story’s theme: Holes Harry Potter Twilight The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hunger Games Hatchet The Outsiders The Giver To Kill a Mockingbird The Lightening Thief Uglies Cinderella The Tortoise and the Hare