TITLE: Literature Review
AUTHOR: Linda Burton, Condon Elem., OR
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 10-12 (adaptable to 7-9); language
arts
OVERVIEW: This lesson is designed to review a literary work
or unit before an exam. Students should have already read
and discussed the literature. They need to understand in
advance that a knowledge question simply involves recalling
a fact from the literature. An interpretation question
involves expanding the facts and offering some insight
and/or explanations. A judgement question calls for an
opinion supported by evidence from the story. This example
is for "To Kill a Mockingbird", but similar questions can be
designed for any novel, play, or unit of short stories.
PURPOSE: This lesson gives students an opportunity to
review details and to become familiar with the types of
questions they will be asked to answer on their exams.
OBJECTIVE: Students will demonstrate the ability to answer
knowledge, interpretation, and judgement questions by
participating in an activity that requires these skills.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Teacher-made questions covering the
literature.
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES: Three students are chosen as
judges. The remaining students are divided into two teams.
Students are called on in order to choose a category and
then answer the question asked by the teacher from that
category. Knowledge questions are worth one point;
interpretation questions, three points; judgement questions,
five points. When the student answers, the judges hold up a
card indicating the score they have assigned to the
question. They may assign any portion of the possible
points for that category. If the student answering the
question does not know the answer, members of the other team
may raise their hands and be called on by the teacher to
answer. Their answers are then judged by the student panel.
When all questions are used up from one category, students
are forced to choose from the remaining categories.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: A few minutes should be set aside at
the end of the period for students to ask questions or
discuss any question they did not understand.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Knowledge Questions -
1. What is the name of the little gentlemen who tried to
protect Miss Caroline? (Chuck Little)
2. What is Jem's punishment for destroying Mrs. Dubose's
camelias? (reading to her)
3. What is Atticus carrying when he heads for the jail
that concerns the children? (an extension cord)
Interpretation Questions -
1. Why are the Ewells allowed to live outside the law?
2. How is Mrs. Dubose a winner?
3. Describe Mayella Ewell as she appeared on the witness
stand.
Judgement Questions -
1. Why did Atticus defend Tom Robinson?
2. How can a jury ignore all the facts and find a man
like Tome Robinson guilty?
3. Will Jem grow up to be like Atticus or will he resent
the way Atticus is treated and try to protect himself
from the pain?
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org