Title: Exploring the Character of Melchisedec in “A Little Princess”

Grade Level: 6th Grade

Objective: - To analyze the character of Melchisedec in the novel “A Little Princess” - To understand the importance of friendship and kindness in the story - To develop critical thinking and analytical skills through discussions and written responses

Materials: - Copies of the novel “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Whiteboard or chart paper - Markers - Notebooks or loose-leaf paper - Pencils or pens

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
   • Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever read or heard of the novel “A Little Princess.”
   • Provide a brief overview of the story and mention that today’s lesson will focus on a specific character named Melchisedec.
   • Explain that Melchisedec plays an important role in the story and that we will be analyzing his character traits and actions.
2. Character Analysis (20 minutes):
   • Divide the students into small groups and provide each group with a copy of the novel.
   • Instruct the groups to read Chapter 9, which introduces Melchisedec, and discuss his character traits and actions.
   • Encourage students to take notes on Melchisedec’s appearance, behavior, and interactions with other characters.
   • After the discussion, bring the groups back together and have each group share their findings.
   • Write down the character traits and actions of Melchisedec on the whiteboard or chart paper.
3. Discussion (15 minutes):
   • Lead a whole-class discussion based on the character traits and actions identified in the previous activity.
   • Ask students to explain why Melchisedec is an important character in the story and how he contributes to the overall plot.
   • Encourage students to share their opinions and support their ideas with evidence from the text.
4. Writing Activity (15 minutes):
   • Instruct students to individually write a short paragraph describing Melchisedec’s character and his significance in the story.
   • Remind students to use evidence from the text to support their claims.
   • Circulate the classroom to provide assistance and feedback as needed.
5. Reflection (10 minutes):
   • Have students share their paragraphs with a partner or in small groups.
   • Ask students to reflect on the importance of friendship and kindness in the story, using Melchisedec as an example.
   • Discuss as a whole class and encourage students to share personal experiences or examples from the novel that highlight the theme of friendship and kindness.
6. Conclusion (5 minutes):
   • Summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the character of Melchisedec and the importance of friendship and kindness.
   • Encourage students to continue reading the novel and pay attention to how Melchisedec’s character develops throughout the story.

Extensions: - Students can create a character profile for Melchisedec, including a physical description, personality traits, and a brief summary of his role in the story. - Students can compare and contrast Melchisedec with another character from the novel, discussing their similarities and differences in terms of personality and actions.