The Westing GameThe Westing Game

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Lesson One Learning Target: To Lesson One Learning Target: To understand the elements of the understand the elements of the

mystery genre.mystery genre.

Journal: What is a mystery? Think Journal: What is a mystery? Think about mystery in film, television, and about mystery in film, television, and literature. What are the literature. What are the characteristics of mystery?characteristics of mystery?

Lesson Two Learning TargetsLesson Two Learning Targets

To understand the essential To understand the essential elements of the mystery genre.elements of the mystery genre.

To identify and demonstrate the To identify and demonstrate the characteristics of a detective.characteristics of a detective.

Lesson 2 Journal EntryLesson 2 Journal Entry

What does it mean to be a good What does it mean to be a good detective? What character detective? What character traits/personality traits does a good traits/personality traits does a good detective have? detective have?

Lesson 3 Learning ObjectiveLesson 3 Learning Objective

To identify character traits by To identify character traits by collecting text-based evidence about collecting text-based evidence about characters in characters in The Westing GameThe Westing Game..

Journal EntriesJournal Entries

1)1) How did you try to solve the mysteries How did you try to solve the mysteries in yesterday’s activity? What in yesterday’s activity? What strategies did you use to solve the strategies did you use to solve the mystery? (If you weren’t here, what mystery? (If you weren’t here, what strategies do you use to solve strategies do you use to solve mysteries?)mysteries?)

2)2) Look at Look at The Westing GameThe Westing Game (front/back (front/back cover, inside of book). What do you cover, inside of book). What do you notice? What stands out? What do notice? What stands out? What do you expect to see in this book you expect to see in this book (predictions)?(predictions)?

Lesson 4 Entry JournalLesson 4 Entry JournalRead the following excerpt: “Mrs. Wexler gasped; it Read the following excerpt: “Mrs. Wexler gasped; it

was breathtaking, all right. Two walls of the was breathtaking, all right. Two walls of the living room were floor to ceiling glass. Following living room were floor to ceiling glass. Following Barney Northrup’s lead, she ooh-ed and aah-ed Barney Northrup’s lead, she ooh-ed and aah-ed her joyous way through the entire apartment.”her joyous way through the entire apartment.”

1.1. What does the word What does the word breathtakingbreathtaking mean in this mean in this excerpt?excerpt?

2.2. The author includes the detail of Mrs. Wexler’s The author includes the detail of Mrs. Wexler’s “ooh” and “aah” sound to tell the reader she is“ooh” and “aah” sound to tell the reader she is

a) impresseda) impressedb) polite b) polite c) proud of her husbandc) proud of her husbandd) conceitedd) conceited

Lesson 4 Learning ObjectiveLesson 4 Learning Objective

To identify character traits by To identify character traits by collecting text-based evidence about collecting text-based evidence about characters in characters in The Westing GameThe Westing Game..

Guiding QuestionGuiding Question

How does Ellen Raskin build How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in suspense in The Westing GameThe Westing Game??

Lesson 5 ObjectivesLesson 5 Objectives

To examine how Ellen Raskin uses To examine how Ellen Raskin uses suspense in chapter 1 of suspense in chapter 1 of The Westing The Westing GameGame..

To identify character traits by To identify character traits by collecting text-based evidence about collecting text-based evidence about characters in characters in The Westing GameThe Westing Game..

Journal EntryJournal Entry

1) Complete the following sentence with bullet points:1) Complete the following sentence with bullet points:Suspense is what the author does that makes the Suspense is what the author does that makes the

readerreader

2)How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in Chapter 1 2)How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in Chapter 1 of of The Westing GameThe Westing Game? Provide ONE detail from the ? Provide ONE detail from the text to support your answer.text to support your answer.

Ellen Raskin’sEllen Raskin’sMethods for building suspense in Methods for building suspense in The Westing Game

MethodsMethods Evidence/DetailsEvidence/Details

She uses strange She uses strange details.details.

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

““The delivery boy The delivery boy was sixty two years was sixty two years old…” (2).old…” (2).

““Barney Northrup had Barney Northrup had rented one of the rented one of the apartments to the apartments to the wrong person” (6).wrong person” (6).

MethodMethod EvidenceEvidenceShe uses sentences that She uses sentences that leave you wondering.leave you wondering.

She uses cliffhangers.She uses cliffhangers.

She uses normal She uses normal information and adds a information and adds a twist.twist.

““The delivery boy was The delivery boy was sixty-two years old, and sixty-two years old, and there was no such person there was no such person as Barney Northrup” (2).as Barney Northrup” (2).

““Sunset Towers faced Sunset Towers faced east and had no towers” east and had no towers” (1).(1).

““The letters were signed The letters were signed Barney Northrup…. There Barney Northrup…. There was no such person as was no such person as Barney Northrup” (1-2).Barney Northrup” (1-2).

How does Ellen Raskin bulid How does Ellen Raskin bulid suspense in The Westing Game?suspense in The Westing Game?

Uses strange detailsUses strange details ForeshadowingForeshadowing Witholding Witholding

informationinformation Descriptive Descriptive

language/imagerylanguage/imagery CliffhangersCliffhangers She makes the She makes the

reader suspiciousreader suspicious

She writes She writes sentences that sentences that leave you leave you wondering/guessinwondering/guessing.g.

She uses She uses twists/surprises.twists/surprises.

Methods (per 3)Methods (per 3) Makes the reader Makes the reader

suspicioussuspicious Uses cliffhangersUses cliffhangers Uses different Uses different

tonestones Strange detailsStrange details ForeshadowingForeshadowing Different Points of Different Points of

ViewView CluesClues Suspects and Suspects and

victimsvictims

Some characters Some characters are ahead of othersare ahead of others

HooksHooks Red herrings-Red herrings-

misleading cluesmisleading clues Murder!!!!!Murder!!!!! Omniscient Omniscient

Narrator- narrator Narrator- narrator who can see all of who can see all of the actionthe action

Vivid imageryVivid imagery SETTING!!!!!!SETTING!!!!!!

Methods (Per. 4)Methods (Per. 4) Characters under Characters under

pressurepressure Leaving hints/cluesLeaving hints/clues Red herrings-false Red herrings-false

or misleading cluesor misleading clues CliffhangersCliffhangers ClimaxClimax Create suspicionCreate suspicion HookHook Strange/unusual Strange/unusual

detailsdetails

Setting (related Setting (related details)details)

Gory details Gory details (DESCRIPTIVE (DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE)LANGUAGE)

SurprisesSurprises Plot twistsPlot twists Symbols Symbols Character names Character names

are unusualare unusual

Per. 7 MethodsPer. 7 Methods CliffhangersCliffhangers Descriptive details Descriptive details

or languageor language SettingSetting Mid-sentence Mid-sentence

stopperstopper ForeshadowingForeshadowing Withholding Withholding

informationinformation ImageryImagery cluesclues

Uses tense Uses tense details/creates details/creates tensiontension

Has a detectiveHas a detective Has a crime/crimesHas a crime/crimes Presence of a Presence of a

mysterymystery

Do Now- in your journalDo Now- in your journal1) Use Context Clues to solve the meaning of the 1) Use Context Clues to solve the meaning of the

underlined word:underlined word:““Judge Ford had recognized E.J. Plum. Several Judge Ford had recognized E.J. Plum. Several

months ago he had argued before her court, months ago he had argued before her court, bumbling to the point of bumbling to the point of incompetenceincompetence. Why, . Why, she wondered, was a young, inexperienced she wondered, was a young, inexperienced attorney chosen to handle an estate of such attorney chosen to handle an estate of such importance?”importance?”

2) Based on the quote above, how does Judge Ford 2) Based on the quote above, how does Judge Ford feel about E.J. Plum?feel about E.J. Plum?

a)a) She dislikes him.She dislikes him.b)b) She thinks he is unintelligent.She thinks he is unintelligent.c)c) She thinks he mumbles.She thinks he mumbles.d)d) She thinks he is not right for the job. She thinks he is not right for the job.

Do Now:Do Now:1.1. Use Context Clues to solve the meaning of the Use Context Clues to solve the meaning of the

underlined word:underlined word:““Not all of the pairs were huddled in plotting, puzzle-Not all of the pairs were huddled in plotting, puzzle-

solving pairs. Jake Wexler had retreated to his office solving pairs. Jake Wexler had retreated to his office after a long and loud argument with his wife. He sure after a long and loud argument with his wife. He sure could have used half of that ten thousand dollars, but could have used half of that ten thousand dollars, but he wouldn’t admit it, not to her. The he wouldn’t admit it, not to her. The forfeitedforfeited money money upset her more than the murder of her uncle, if he was upset her more than the murder of her uncle, if he was her uncle” (47).her uncle” (47).

2. According to the text, why did Jake “retreat” to his 2. According to the text, why did Jake “retreat” to his office?office?

a. because he was not plotting with his partnera. because he was not plotting with his partner

b. because he was fighting with Graceb. because he was fighting with Grace

c. because he wished he had the 5,000 dollarsc. because he wished he had the 5,000 dollars

d. because Grace was upset about losing the moneyd. because Grace was upset about losing the money

Learning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesTo examine how Ellen Raskin builds To examine how Ellen Raskin builds

suspense in suspense in The Westing GameThe Westing Game..To collect and interpret clues in To collect and interpret clues in The The

Westing GameWesting Game..To self-assess our ability to use To self-assess our ability to use

context clues and answer multiple context clues and answer multiple choice questions.choice questions.

Exit JournalExit Journal

Interpret the clues that we have Interpret the clues that we have learned so far. What might they learned so far. What might they mean? What stands out to you? mean? What stands out to you? Offer any analysis and predictions Offer any analysis and predictions you might have.you might have.

RAFFT WritingRAFFT Writing

R-Restate the Question and AnswerR-Restate the Question and Answer A-Analysis- explain your answerA-Analysis- explain your answer F-Fact- Detail from the text (quote)F-Fact- Detail from the text (quote) F-Fact- Detail from the text (quote)F-Fact- Detail from the text (quote) T- Tie it all together- concluding statementT- Tie it all together- concluding statement

MnemonicMnemonic- a device for remembering - a device for remembering complex ideas in a simple way. Ex/ Roy G. complex ideas in a simple way. Ex/ Roy G. Biv= Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, Biv= Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violetindigo, violet

How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in Chapter 8 of How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in Chapter 8 of The The Westing GameWesting Game? Use TWO details from the text to support your ? Use TWO details from the text to support your

answer.answer.

R- restate and R- restate and answeranswer

Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Chapter 8 Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Chapter 8 of of The Westing GameThe Westing Game by creating by creating suspicion.suspicion.

A-analysisA-analysis

(explain)(explain)She does this by showing that the She does this by showing that the characters all suspect one another of the characters all suspect one another of the murder.murder.

F- fact from F- fact from the text the text (quote)(quote)

The text says,The text says,

The text says, “ ‘Get serious, Doug. One The text says, “ ‘Get serious, Doug. One of the heirs is a murderer; we could all of the heirs is a murderer; we could all get killed.’”get killed.’”

F-fact from F-fact from the text the text (quote)(quote)

The text also The text also says,says,

The text also says, “In his will, Sam The text also says, “In his will, Sam Westing implied (he did not state, he Westing implied (he did not state, he implied) that (1) he was murdered, (2) implied) that (1) he was murdered, (2) the murderer was one of the heirs….”the murderer was one of the heirs….”

T-Tie together T-Tie together (connect to (connect to answer)answer)

Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Chapter 8 Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Chapter 8 by making the reader suspicious of the by making the reader suspicious of the heirs.heirs.

Why does Sydelle Pulaski fake her illness? Use two Why does Sydelle Pulaski fake her illness? Use two details from the text to support your answer.details from the text to support your answer.

R-Restate with answerR-Restate with answer

A-Analysis (explain your answer)A-Analysis (explain your answer)

F- Fact (Quote) The text says, “F- Fact (Quote) The text says, “

F-Fact (Quote) The text also says, “F-Fact (Quote) The text also says, “

T-Tie together (connect to your first T-Tie together (connect to your first sentence)sentence)

Essay QuestionEssay Question

How does Ellen Raskin build How does Ellen Raskin build suspense in suspense in The Westing GameThe Westing Game??

In your response, be sure toIn your response, be sure toexplain how Ellen Raskin builds explain how Ellen Raskin builds

suspense in the booksuspense in the bookuse details from the book to support use details from the book to support

your responseyour response

IntroductionIntroduction

Hook- One or several sentences that grab Hook- One or several sentences that grab the reader’s attentionthe reader’s attention

TAG- Title, author, genre sentenceTAG- Title, author, genre sentence Thesis- States the argument you will Thesis- States the argument you will

present in your essay. Must have TWO present in your essay. Must have TWO points.points.

Ex/ Ellen Raskin creates suspense in Ex/ Ellen Raskin creates suspense in The The Westing GameWesting Game by ____________ and by ____________ and _____________. (Hint: Refer to your Anchor _____________. (Hint: Refer to your Anchor Chart!)Chart!)

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs One paragraph for each point in your thesis.One paragraph for each point in your thesis.Ex/ Ellen Raskin creates suspense in Ex/ Ellen Raskin creates suspense in The Westing The Westing

GameGame by by (body P 1)(body P 1) and and (body P 2).(body P 2). Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence

and ends with a concluding sentence.and ends with a concluding sentence. Your topic sentence (or the sentence after it) Your topic sentence (or the sentence after it)

should explain/define what the paragraph is about. should explain/define what the paragraph is about. Ex: “Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Ex: “Ellen Raskin builds suspense in The Westing The Westing GameGame by using red herrings. Red herrings are false by using red herrings. Red herrings are false clues that lead the reader in the wrong direction.” clues that lead the reader in the wrong direction.”

Each body paragraph has AT LEAST TWO quotes Each body paragraph has AT LEAST TWO quotes from the text. from the text.

Each quote from the text has a Each quote from the text has a previewpreview and an and an explanationexplanation..

Previewing and Explaining Previewing and Explaining QuotesQuotes

Creates a “quote sandwich”Creates a “quote sandwich”

PreviewPreview

QUOTE- The text says, “…”(pg).QUOTE- The text says, “…”(pg).

ExplanationExplanation

Preview-Gives the reader an idea of Preview-Gives the reader an idea of what the quote is discussing (orients what the quote is discussing (orients the reader).the reader).

Explanation- Tells the reader why the Explanation- Tells the reader why the quote was important in proving your quote was important in proving your thesis.thesis.

Example “Quote Sandwich”Example “Quote Sandwich”

In Chapter 8, Chris Theodorakis is In Chapter 8, Chris Theodorakis is observing the Westing house.observing the Westing house. The The text says, “The Westing House was text says, “The Westing House was snowbound, too, and somebody was snowbound, too, and somebody was snowbound in it” (50). snowbound in it” (50). Here, the Here, the author uses setting to create a author uses setting to create a creepy tone in the story.creepy tone in the story.

Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Ellen Raskin builds suspense in The Westing GameThe Westing Game byusing red herrings. Red herrings are false byusing red herrings. Red herrings are false clues that lead the reader in the wrong direction.clues that lead the reader in the wrong direction. In Chapter 9, the characters leave signs on the In Chapter 9, the characters leave signs on the elevator walls. The text says, "BRAIDED KICKING elevator walls. The text says, "BRAIDED KICKING TORTOISE SI A BRAT" (78). This is a false clue left TORTOISE SI A BRAT" (78). This is a false clue left by Doug and Theo to poke fun at Turtle, not to by Doug and Theo to poke fun at Turtle, not to help solve the mysteryhelp solve the mystery. . Later in the book, Chris Later in the book, Chris puts together some of the information on the puts together some of the information on the elevator wall. The text says, "This might be an elevator wall. The text says, "This might be an important discovery-JudgeFord's name was the important discovery-JudgeFord's name was the same as her apartment number: Ford, 4D" (76). same as her apartment number: Ford, 4D" (76). Even though this seems like an important clue, it Even though this seems like an important clue, it does not help Chris solve the mystery.does not help Chris solve the mystery. Ellen Ellen Raskin uses red herrings in Raskin uses red herrings in The Westing GameThe Westing Game to to mislead and confuse the reader.mislead and confuse the reader.

Ellen Raskin builds suspense in Ellen Raskin builds suspense in The The Westing GameWesting Game by by usingusing cliffhangers cliffhangers and red herrings.and red herrings.

The “Jobs” in your quote The “Jobs” in your quote sandwichsandwich

Preview- tells the reader where the Preview- tells the reader where the quote comes from, what is happening quote comes from, what is happening in the quote, and why it might be in the quote, and why it might be important.important.

Quote- Your EVIDENCE. Your PROOF Quote- Your EVIDENCE. Your PROOF that your ideas are correct.that your ideas are correct.

Explanation- Tells the reader why the Explanation- Tells the reader why the quote you have chosen PROVES that quote you have chosen PROVES that your ideas are correct. Ties to your your ideas are correct. Ties to your topic sentence.topic sentence.