Three Skeleton Keyby George G. Toudouze

(Too-Dooz)

• Today you will work in pairs. You will share an answer sheet.

• You need 1-2 pieces of paper and color pencils if you have them.

Divide a piece of paper into four squares.

1. You will draw a picture here!

2.

3. 4.

Before: Four Square• 1. In the FIRST box. Draw a rock

surrounded by water.

• 2. Draw a lighthouse on the rock.

• 3. Draw a boat coming towards the

lighthouse.

• 4. Draw rats on the boat.

• 5. Draw sharks in the water.

Divide a piece of paper into four squares.

1. Picture 2. Based on the picture you drew and the title of the story, what do you think will happen in the plot of “Three Skeleton Key”?

3. 4.

Story Type• This story is a fictional narrative.

• What are the elements of a narrative?

• Elements of a narrative:– Characters (including Protagonist and Antagonist)– Conflict– Setting– Plot (Expositon, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action,

Resolution)– Tells a story

The Characters

• The Narrator

• Le Gleo (Lay Glee-o)

• Itchoua (Itch-o-wah)

The Setting

• Three Skeleton Key– A Lighthouse on a rocky island

Answer the following on your partner sheet.

• 1. Why did the narrator accept the job at the lighthouse?

The narrator accepted the job at the lighthouse because...

• 2. Why is the island called “Three Skeleton Key”?

The island is called “Three Skeleton Key” because…

• 3. Why might a person be uncomfortable working at this lighthouse?

A person would be uncomfortable working at that lighthouse because…

Turn and Talk.

• 4. How long has the narrator worked there?– He’s worked there for…

• 5. Who are the other two light keepers?– The other two light keepers are…

Turn and Talk

• 6. Why does Le Gleo ask if the approaching ship’s crew is “drunk or insane”?– He think they’re drunk because…

• 7. What will happen to the ship if it doesn’t change course?– If the ship doesn’t change course, it will….

Turn and Talk

• 8. What is unusual about this ship?– This ship is unusual because…

Answer in your tablet.

• 9. What is causing the ship to sail in chaotic circles around the lighthouse?– The ship is going in circles because…

Answer in your tablet.

• 10. What happened to the ship’s crew?– I think the ship’s crew…

• 11. How does the narrator know that there were no survivors of the rat attack?– He assumes that there were no survivors

because…

Turn and Talk

• 12. Why are the rats invading the lighthouse?– The rats are invading the lighthouse because…

• 13. What are the characters doing to fight back and/or survive?– The characters fight back by…

• 14. What would you do in this situation?– If this was happening to me, I would…

Answer in your tablet.

• 15. List all of the dangers the men face.– Ex. Suffocation from lack of fresh air

Turn and Talk

• 16. When will the supply boat return? – The supply boat will return…

Turn and Talk

• 17. Why do they name the rats?– I think they name the rats because…

• 18. Why do the men decide it’s best NOT to light the lighthouse anymore?– I think they stop lighting the house because…

Turn and Talk

• 19. Why are the men starting to go a little crazy?– I think they’re going crazy because…

• 20. What do the people on the patrol ship assume?– They assume that…

Turn and Talk

• 21. What happens to the patrol ship?– The patrol ship…

• 22. How do the men communicate with the patrol ship?– The men communicate with the patrol ship

by…

Turn and Talk

• 24. Why do the rats finally leave the lighthouse?– The rats finally leave the lighthouse because…

• 25. How are they finally destroyed?– The rats are finally destroyed by…

During: Finish Graphic Organizer

• Complete the plot chart on your graphic organizer.

Extending Activity: Finish the Four Square

1. Picture 2. Based on the picture you drew and the title of the story, what do you think will happen in the plot of “Three Skeleton Key”?

3. The narrator is mentally unstable. Find examples from the text that prove he has gone insane as a result of his harrowing experience at the lighthouse.

4. Pretend you are a rat that survived. What will you do next? Describe your actions in a paragraph.