\

© 2005 Peter Burkhart

 

“The Sign of Four” Chapter 7 “The Episode of the Barrel” 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.

OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

• Students will be provided time for silent reading
  
• Students will analyze the relationship between two characters in the a story (character development.)
  
• Students will further develop their research skills working in cooperative learning groups.
  
• Students will be able to identify events in a story that contribute to the rising action.

RESOURCES

• Sherlock Holmes text
  

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"Do not imagine," said Holmes, "that I depend for my success I this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical."

-Sherlock Holmes

"A friend of Mr. Sherlock Holmes is always welcome," said he . "Step in sir. Keep clear of the badger for he bites . Ah, naughty , naughty! Would you take a nip at the gentleman!"

-Mr. Sherman

"Toby proved to be an ugly, long-haired, lop-eared creature, half spaniel and half lurcher, brown and white in colour, with a very clumsy waddling gait. It accepted, after some hesitation, a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me, and, having thus sealed an alliance, it followed me to the cab and made no difficulties about accompanying me. "

-Dr. Watson

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

• Students will have read Chapter 6 of "Sign of Four."

  ACTIVITIES
  

• Silent reading (20 minutes.)
  
• Update Sherlock Holmes quoteboard.
  
• Students will list the significant events in Chapter 7. These events will be placed with other significant events of previous chapters. Using these small groups of students should begin to create a story flow chart that includes the Introduction and Rising Action *as that’s as far as has been read. Students should understand that Sholto was murdered by someone with unique talents and is connected to Jonathan Small. Other events should include McMurdo’s , Thaddeus Sholtos’ and numerous other arrests by Athelney Jones.
  
• What about Sherlock Holmes. He seems to be completely indifferent to women. Why do you think this is?
  
• Compare and contrast Watson and Morstan. Their relationship has developed quite a bit since the beginning of the story. Do they have much in common?
  
• Holmes seems to be completely indifferent toward women? Why do you believe this is so? Did Conan Doyle have a reason for doing this? What would Holmes be like if he had a woman involved in his life? How does this help the stories (if it does?)
  
• In this story Holmes will call on others for help. Toby appears in this chapter. Why does he choose Toby? Toby is a lurcher. In groups of two or more, students will use the computer lab to research information about lurchers. The facts and opinions they discover will be used to determine if Holmes chose the right type of dog for his search. They will present their findings to the class.
  
  Additional Resources:
  
  http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lurcher.htm
  http://www.sarbc.org/waverly.html (dog senses)
  
  ASSESSMENT
  

• Quiz: Sign of Four Chapter 6.
  
  New Vocabulary:
  
  Tendo Achillis- the sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone.

Back To Top