\

© 2005 Peter Burkhart

 

“The Sign of Four” Chapter 6 “Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration” Lesson:

Unit/Theme: Sherlock Holmes      Level: Honors

Subject: Seventh Grade English

NYS Standards/ Benchmarks: E1b: Students will evaluate writing strategies and elements of the author’s craft. E1b: makes and supports warranted and responsible assertions about the text. E5a: The student identifies 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.

OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

• Students will be provided time for silent reading.
  
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method.
  
• Students will apply their knowledge of Sherlock Holmes using the scientific method.
  
• Students will participate in a class discussion about "Sign of Four."
  
• Students will be introduced to quotations from Sherlock Holmes in foreign languages.
  
• Students will be assessed on Chapter 5 of "Sign of Four."

RESOURCES

• Sherlock Holmes text
  

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"Wir sind gewohnt dass die Menschen verhohnen was sie nicht verstehen." ("We are used to people making fun of what they don’t understand.")

-Sherlock Holmes. Pg. 83.

"Il n’y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l’esprit." (There are no worse idiots than the ones who have energy.")

-Sherlock Holmes. Pg. 82.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

• Students will have read Chapter 5 of Sign of Four.

  ACTIVITIES
  

• Silent reading (20-25 minutes.)
  
• After discussing events in the chapter, a mini-lesson will follow that reminds the students of steps in the scientific method.
  http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html#Heading3
  
• Students will apply events in the chapter using the scientific method working in small groups. They will hand in one copy for the whole group that demonstrates mastery of the assignment. (NOTE. Pay particular attention to Holmes revision of his hypothesis.)
  
• Sherlock Holmes uses two quotes (one in German and the other in French.) What characteristics does this further revel about the character? How does this develop the character for the reader? Explain.
  
• Students will briefly discuss rigor mortis and risus sardonicus.
  
• Update Sherlock Holmes quoteboard.
  
  ASSESSMENT
  

• "Sign of Four" quiz Chapter 5.
  
  New Vocabulary:
  
  rigor mortis- temporary rigidity of muscles occurring after death. n.
  
  risus sardonicus- describes the characteristic facial appearance of a painfully grinning face secondary to facial muscle spasms. It is most often caused by tetanus. n.

Back To Top