\\

© 2005 Peter Burkhart

 

"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" Lesson:

Unit/Theme: Sherlock Holmes      Level: Honors

Subject: Seventh Grade English

NYS Standards/ Benchmarks: E2b: Produce a response to literature that demonstrates an understanding of the literary work. E5a: The student identifies and responds to fiction using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes; that is, the student: evaluates literary merit, analyzes the reasons for a character’s actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character. E3b: Participates in group meetings in which the student gives reasons in support of opinions expressed. Volunteers contributions and responds when directly solicited by the teacher or discussion leader.

OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

• Students will be provided time for silent reading.
  
• Students will work together to demonstrate an understanding of a story.
  
• Students will participate in small group and whole class discussions.
  
• *Provide silent reading time for students.
  
• Students will analyze Holmes method of deducing details about an object and debate if his methods are realistic.
  
• Students will analyze objects for the purpose of deducing details about them.
  
  QUOTABLE QUOTES:
  

"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences."

-Pg. 203

"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know."

"It is always awkward doing business with an alias."

RESOURCES

• Sherlock text and various unusual or unique items.
  
  PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

• Students will have read "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" and other Holmes stories.
  
  ACTIVITIES/ OUTCOMES
  
  
• Silent reading.
  
• Journal. In this story Holmes believes he may be "instrumental in saving a life." What is compassion? How does it relate to Sherlock Holmes in this story? Describe a time you were compassionate toward another person.
  
• What does Holmes’ compassion indicate about him? In small groups students will write about Holmes’ sense of duty/compassion. Why does he get involved in these cases? We know he is very selective about what cases he takes.
  
• Discuss the stone. It has a violent history which includes two murders and a suicide. There have also been related robberies. What does that mean to this adventure?
  
• Discussion. On pages 202-203 Holmes demonstrates his skills of deduction on a hat. Describe his method and his explanation. Does it make sense? We have seen a similar scenes in previous stories. When Holmes explains it, it seems simple. Could anyone develop these skills or does it take a certain person? Can you think of any careers today that require similar skills? What are they?
  
• Individually or with a partner students will list the steps in Holmes’ method. Afterward, the class will create a master list on the board.
  
• As a class or small groups the teacher will present items unfamiliar to the students (due to their age) and ask them to figure out what they are.
  NOTE: To do this activity some time might be spent at yard sales and antique shops gathering old items or parts of items that are no longer in use.

  ASSESSMENT

• Group work
  
• Quiz on "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle."

Back To Top