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© 2005 Peter Burkhart

 

“The Engineer’s Thumb” Lesson:

Unit/Theme: Sherlock Holmes      Level: Honors

Subject: Seventh Grade English

NYS Standards/ Benchmarks: E2b Students produce a response to literature that demonstrates an understanding of the literary work. E3b: Participate in group meetings in which students give reasons in support of opinions expressed. Volunteer contributions and respond when directly solicited by the teacher or discussion leader. E5a examine the reasons for a character’s actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.

OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

  • Students will be provided time for silent reading.
  • Students will practice determining sequence of events and how the decisions of characters intersect creating a story.
  • Students will understand some changes in the relationship between Holmes and Watson.
  • Students will understand what "Fuller’s earth is and its relevance to the story.

RESOURCES

  • Sherlock Holmes text

QUOTABLE QUOTE

"Experience," said Holmes laughing. Indirectly it may be of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your existence."

-S. Holmes. Pg. 242.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

  • Students will have read "The Engineer’s Thumb" and other Sherlock Holmes stories.

    ACTIVITIES

  • Silent reading (20-25 minutes.)
  • Students will update the Sherlock quoteboard.
  • Students will participate in a whole class discussion about the story. At the end of it they should realize that this story was brought to Homes’ attention by Watson and this story is not a mystery; it is the procedure to capture the criminals. Included in this discussion will be notes about Fuller’s earth and why it is of value to the criminals. This is another case where a client had been given a good salary in exchange for doing something to unknowingly aid criminals.
  • Holmes and Watson’s relationship undergoes changes. What are these changes
  • The major characters in this story are Holmes, Watson, Victor Hatherley, Colonel Lysander Stark, Mr. Ferguson, Elise, and Inspector Bradstreet. Describe each of their roles and how they intersect to form this story. For example, what role does Elise play? How does her situation affect the other characters. In small groups, create a chart that shows connections between the different characters and how their actions create the story. Be creative!
  • Journal: Holmes tells Hatherley that he has gained "experience" from his ordeal. Is Holmes correct? What does he mean? Write a short paragraph in your journal and be prepared to share.

    INTEGRATION OF OTHER SUBJECTS

  • Geology

    ASSESSMENT

  • "The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb" Quiz

Additional information:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/f1/fullerse.asp

fuller's earth
Related: Geology

mineral substance characterized by the property of absorbing basic colors and removing them from oils. It is composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron oxides, lime, magnesia, and water, in extremely variable proportions, and is generally classified as a sedimentary clay . In color it may be whitish, buff, brown, green, olive, or blue. It is semiplastic or nonplastic and may or may not disintegrate easily in water. It was originally used in the fulling of wool to remove oil and grease but is now used chiefly in bleaching and clarifying petroleum and secondarily in refining edible oils. Fuller's earth is mined in many parts of the United States, Georgia and Florida being the leading producers, and in England near Reigate, Nutfield, and Bath. Before it can be used, it has to be crushed and dried.

Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2005.

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