Lesson Plan

Subject: English

Age: 13 - 15 years

Form: 3

Subject Focus: Characterization (The Village Washer) Short Story

Language Arts Area: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing

Time: 80 minutes

Objectives: Students should be able to:

1. Read to identify the main characters in the story.

2. Discuss the characteristics of the main characters.

3. Create an Outline of the main characters.

4. Create a journal entry to reflect on the actions of the main characters.

Rationale: Knowledge of characterization is important for students for two main purposes. Firstly students understand the motives behind the actions of characters and the reasons why they do certain things. Also, it gives students the opportunity to connect the various elements of the short story such as setting, themes and plot to characters. They will be able to understand that it is the actions of characters that enable the story to move.

Strategies: DRTA: Direct Reading Thinking Activity, Discussion and Journals

Materials: Textbook, Journals and Chalkboard

Introduction: Teacher will ask students to what comes to mind when they read the title of the short story ‘The Village Washer’. Student responses will be documented on the chalkboard. Students will be told that the focus of the lesson will be on characterization.

Development:

The class will begin reading keeping in mind their ideas that they got from the title of the story.

The class will begin reading the first two chapters of the story and the teacher will ask them a few questions such as:

Ø  What is the name of the character you have been introduced to?

Ø  What does she do?

Ø   How many washers are in the village?

Ø  What word in the paragraph says that?

Ø   Is she is the only one doing something how will you treat your customers?

Ø   How does the writer describe the way Ma Lambee does her job now compared to the past?

Ø   Why do you think that Ma Lambee has grown so careless?

2. Students will read another two paragraphs and will be asked more questions about Ma Lmbee

Ø  What did the rest of the villagers started doing?

Ø  Did she listen to the complaints of the people?

Ø  What does that tell you about the type of character that she is?

Ø  Do you think that this attitude will affect her job in the future? Why?

3. Students will continue to read the next two chapters until they are introduce to another character. They will be asked questions such as:

Ø  What reasons did Ma Lmabee give for raising the price of the washing?

Ø  Do you think that Ma Lambee was just in raising the price of the washing? Why?

Ø  What do you think would happen if another washer came to the village to compete with Ma Lmbee?

Ø  Does the writer indicate in any way that another washer will come to the village?

Ø  What word of phrase supports your answer?

4. Students will go over on the chalkboard all what they have gathered about Ma Lambee’s character and her reasons for her actions.

5. Students will continue to read the next three chapters to gather information about the other main character. They will be asked questions such as:

Ø  What is the name of the character that we have been introduced to?

Ø  What are we told about her?

Ø  How do you think that Ma Lambee would feel when she finds out that the village now has a new washer?

6. Students will continue to read to gather more information about the characters. They will be asked these questions:

Ø  What was Ma Lambee’s reaction to Ma Po Procop?

Ø  Why did Ma Lambee start spreading lies about Ma Procop?

Ø  Do you think that was the best thing to do? Why?

Ø  How did Ma Crop try to overcome what Ma Lambee was saying about her?

Ø  Do you think that Ma Procop genuinely like the people especially the children? Why?

7. Students will continue reading the story and will answer the following questions:

Ø  What comes to your mind when you hear the word Obeah?

Ø  Do you think that Ma Procop is an obeah woman?

Ø  Is Ma Lambee evil or trying to protect her only form of employment? Why?

Ø  What do you think that Ma Procop is going to do when she says ‘… to can play the game?

8. Students will continue to read until they get to the end of the story. They will answer the following questions:

What image is Ma Lmbee potrying when she spreads rumors about Ma Procop and even breaks and enters her house?

Do you have any idea as to what may be in the parcel that Ma Procop collected?

Do think that the mirror had an impact on Ma Procop?

Was it right to chase Ma Lmbee from her home and village?

Who do you think was the real Obeah woman was?

9. Students will create an outline on the two main characters in the form of a Venn diagram on their note books. They will outline their similarities and differences. A sample of a venn diagram will be on the chalk board.

Conclusion: Teacher will go over the different characteristics of the main characters outlining their actions and reasons for their actions.

Evaluation: Students will create a journal entry to reflect on the actions of the main characters. They will say from their point of view which was good bad and provide their reasons.