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© 2005 Peter Burkhart

 

"The Five Orange Pips" 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 be able identify references to a hate group responsible for the crimes in this story.
  
• Students will identify the use of a symbol in the story and symbols in their everyday lives.
  
  QUOTABLE QUOTES:
  

"Except yourself I have none. I do not encourage visitors."

Sherlock Holmes

"I have been beaten four times — three times by men, and once by a woman."

"I say now, as I said then, that a man should keep his little brainattic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he can get it if he wants it."

RESOURCES

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

• Students will have read "The Five Orange Pips" and other Holmes’ stories.
  
  ACTIVITIES/ OUTCOMES
  
  
• Silent reading
  
• Holmes said, "I have been beaten four times---three times by men and once by a woman." This statement shows humility. Holmes mentions his failures. In your journal write about a time you failed and felt comfortable talking about it.
  
• Research: The story involves the Ku Klux Klan. Students should have some knowledge about the group and their purpose.
  
• NOTE: Encyclopedias should be used because surfing the Internet might
  bring students to sites promoting hate instead of objective information.
  
• In groups of two or three, students will create a response to literature by composing a letter to Arthur Conan Doyle that praises, complains or suggests any aspect of his stories. Students will read aloud these letters to the class.
  
• The pips act as a symbol to a number of people in the story. Think of some common symbols you know of that cause certain emotions in people. Be prepared to share.

  ASSESSMENT
  

• Quiz on "The Five Orange Pips."

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