I'm taking this week to use my freebie not to do a blog post. I'm student teaching full time for the next two weeks so I'm using this week to focus on designing Lesson Plans. Wish me luck because I'm super nervous but also excited :)
For my final project, I would like to further explore The Picture of Dorian Gray. I enjoyed reading and analyzing the novel, therefore I would like to revisit the novel. Since I’m an education major, I think it would be fun to design a lesson plan around the novel. My objective would be for the students to be able to read, interpret, and critically analyze the novel. After reading students will be able to identify the defining features and structure of literary texts, such as conflict representation of character, character vs character conflict, character vs world conflict, and character vs self conflict, and point of view. After reading the novel students will be able to analyze the effect of characters, plot, setting, language, topic, style, purpose, and point of view on the overall impact of literature. Identify common historical, social, and cultural themes and issues in literary works and selected passages.
To successfully and effectively teach the objectives to students, I will design a thorough lesson plan describing the procedures for instruction. I will plan instruction prior to reading, during reading and after reading. I intend to include comprehension assessment strategies among other ideas…so far this is what I have in mind. Any suggestions? What grade level do you think would be appropriate to teach the novel?
Good luck everyone! Can't wait to hear everyone's ideas
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Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI'm curious how you might address the whole homosexuality issue with high school students. I know that these issues oftentimes get skirted around in high school(I remember how we could absolutely NOT talk about the homoeroticism embedded in E.M. Forrester's _Passage to India_. But it's so obvious...). Seeing as how we read Picture against the social backdrop of the Victorians and Wilde's subsequent trial, it will be interesting to see how you might "teach" this (or not) with younger students.
That's what I was thinking about too.... When I rented the book from the library I was surprised to find it in the Young Adult Fiction section. Would you recommend not using this book for a lesson plan then? Or should I just be careful as to how I approach homosexuality?
ReplyDeleteNicole,
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd still use Dorian Gray even with the delicate issues at hand. That would perhaps be the best reasons to. You would be able to not only put a spotlight onto the pressures against the homosexual community throughout history and literature but you could also use it as a way to teach difference and acceptance. You'd certainly have to be careful in how you handled the matter but I think that it would do a disservice to the novel if you didn't address that aspect of the novel. You may also wish to research some of the other portrayals of Dorian Gray though other types of literature as a way to draw attention to the faceted nature of that particular character. This may also help with drawing in the attention of those who think that the book has nothing to do with them. I know that using League of Extraordinary Gentlemen would be good for that at least (the graphic novel not the movie) That's just what's running through my head with the idea though. Good luck!
WS
Hey Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI seems you weren’t the only one who decided to use a free pass for the week! I think there are only about three of us who actually did do the blog this week, which makes me wonder was it just coincidence or was it because of the book?
Anyways, I have to say I was a little intimidated by your lesson plan! I think it is awesome that you found a way to tie your final project into your major and what you plan on doing in the future. Unfortunately for me I don’t think there is a way to tie in my bio-chem major into any of the novels that we have read. Sad.
Back to the intimidating part, man that is one thorough lesson plan you have got there. But I have to warn you, with what you have planned I think you will need to dedicate an entire semester to just that one book! Don’t worry though, after finishing that lesson plan I think that the student will know more about The Picture of Dorian Gray than the actual author does.
I am curious to know how you plan on going about carrying out your lesson plan. Are you going to be teaching the novel through lectures and notes, or are you planning on using a more creative approach incorporate activities and projects into your lesson plan?
Another part I am curious about in your lesson plan has to do with your comment; “I will plan instruction prior to reading, during reading and after reading.” What kind of “instruction” are you planning on doing prior to the novel? Maybe some background history on Irish literature or possibly information on key terms used in the novel? Anyways your lesson plan sounds awesome and I cannot wait to see what you come up with. Good Luck!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea for a lesson plan...wow!
It sounds like it could be a massive undertakingthough . "After reading the novel students will be able to analyze the effect of characters, plot, setting, language, topic, style, purpose, and point of view on the overall impact of literature. Identify common historical, social, and cultural themes and issues in literary works and selected passages. " This is a very nice detailed idea for an outline. I don't know much about writing a lesson plan, but it sounds like it might be a gigantic project. Be careful not to get caught up in too much detail.
Anyways, I wouldn't worry about the content too much. I remember my senior year lit classes in high school. For me, I had some pretty liberal teachers and they handled some provocative content very well. I would be careful how I would present some of the subject matter, but overall I would let it scare you. Good Luck!!!
Thanks for your comments everyone! A lot of you are right. My initial objectives are very complex. Perhaps I will zoom in on one aspect of the novel and write a lesson plan just focusing on one topic at a time. Thanks for the help
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a lesson plan, I get to watch my boyfriend fret about his and the process always intrigues me and dealing with the heavy subjects brought up in Dorian Grey would pose quite a challenge but you seem up to it.
I think that the idea of giving some history of the book before hand would be helpful to any student body. I personally have adapted reading a synopsis before beginning a book that I find will be especially challenging and I have found it to be very helpful. This can prepare a student on what to expect from the novel. You're idea is original and will be interesting to look at when you're done. I will have to have my boyfriend look at it since we have taken to reading many of the books for this class aloud together he might like it on all kinds of levels!
Good Luck!
Lucy—
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea! I think that it will turn out great and it would definitely work with The Picture of Dorian Gray. I think that middle school would be a good grade level to teach the novel, or possible freshman year of high school. I enjoyed reading this novel and since I could interpret it fairly easily I enjoyed it even more. This is a good idea since you are an education major—it will benefit you two ways! I’m hoping to do something with film, but I’m not as confident with my project as you are; it’s still in the blueprint. But I hope it will turn out and I hope yours turns out like you want it too!