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

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

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

In In

My Brother Sam My Brother Sam Is Dead, Is Dead,

our focus was on our focus was on characterizatiocharacterizatio

n.n.

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

SettingSettingPoint of ViewPoint of View

ToneToneThemeTheme

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

A NincompoopA NincompoopAnton ChekhovAnton Chekhov

We studied:

Theme

The 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 A person—or animal or thing presented 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!