Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to analyze characters, plot, and setting in a short story and demonstrate comprehension through written responses.

Materials and Prep

Materials: Short story (e.g. "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry), notebook, pen

Prep: Familiarize yourself with the short story and prepare discussion questions.

Activities

• Read the short story aloud together, pausing to discuss the characters, plot, and setting as you go.

• Have the student write a brief summary of the story, emphasizing the main characters, key events, and where and when the story takes place.

• Discuss the themes and moral lessons of the story, encouraging the student to offer their own interpretations and insights.

• Ask the student to write a short response to a specific prompt related to the story, such as "What would you do in the same situation as the main character?"

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• "In this story, the characters are like the people we meet in real life. Let's think about how they act and why they make the choices they do."
• "The plot is the sequence of events in the story. We can identify the main events and discuss how they build up to the ending."
• "The setting is where and when the story takes place. It helps us understand the characters and their actions. Let's pay attention to the details that tell us about the setting."
• "What do you think the author wants us to learn from this story? What lessons can we take away from the characters' experiences?"