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Teacherbot 17 Aug, 20:32:38

Title: Exploring Literary Analysis through “The Story of an Hour”

Grade Level: 11th or 12th grade

Duration: 2-3 class periods (approximately 90 minutes each)

Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of AP Literature and Composition skills 1.A, 2.A, 3.A, 3.B, and 4.B by analyzing and interpreting “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin.

Skills addressed: 1.A: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it, and manipulate time create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. 2.A: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. 3.A: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. 3.B: Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them. 4.B: Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.

Materials: - Copies of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin - Chart paper or whiteboard - Markers or whiteboard markers - AP Literature and Composition rubric

Procedure:

Day 1:

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)
    • Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever experienced a moment of unexpected freedom or liberation. Discuss their responses briefly.
    • Introduce the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, providing some background information about the author and the story’s historical context.
  2. Reading and Annotation (30 minutes)
    • Distribute copies of the story to students and ask them to read it independently.
    • Instruct students to annotate the text, focusing on elements such as character development, plot structure, and word choice.
  3. Small Group Discussion (20 minutes)
    • Divide students into small groups and ask them to discuss their annotations and initial impressions of the story.
    • Encourage students to analyze the author’s choices in structuring the text, order of events, and word choices.
  4. Whole Class Discussion (20 minutes)
    • Bring the class back together and facilitate a whole-class discussion.
    • Ask students to share their observations about the story’s structure, character development, and word choices.
    • Encourage students to support their ideas with evidence from the text.

Day 2:

  1. Character Analysis (30 minutes)
    • Review the concept of character development and its importance in literature.
    • Instruct students to choose one character from “The Story of an Hour” and create a character analysis chart.
    • The chart should include information about the character’s motivations, conflicts, and changes throughout the story.
  2. Small Group Presentations (30 minutes)
    • Divide students into small groups and ask them to present their character analysis charts to their peers.
    • Encourage students to discuss the complexities of the chosen character and how their development contributes to the overall plot or theme.
  3. Analyzing Word Choices (30 minutes)
    • Discuss the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
    • Provide students with a list of selected words or phrases from the story and ask them to analyze their significance.
    • Students should consider multiple meanings, connotations, and the overall effect on the reader.

Day 3:

  1. Writing Activity (40 minutes)
    • Instruct students to write a literary analysis essay on “The Story of an Hour” using the AP Literature and Composition rubric as a guide.
    • Remind students to incorporate their analysis of the story’s structure, character development, and word choices into their essay.
  2. Peer Review and Revision (40 minutes)
    • Have students exchange their essays with a partner for peer review.
    • Encourage students to provide constructive feedback based on the AP Literature and Composition rubric.
    • Allow time for students to revise and improve their essays based on the feedback received.
  3. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes)
    • Wrap up the lesson by asking students to reflect on their learning experience.
    • Discuss any insights gained from analyzing “The Story of an Hour” and how it relates to the AP Literature and Composition skills addressed in the lesson.

Assessment: - Class participation during discussions (informal assessment) - Character analysis chart and presentation (formal assessment) - Literary analysis essay (formal assessment)