Most Dangerous Game Unit 2008
Most Dangerous Game Unit 2008
Most Dangerous Game Unit 2008
Unit: 1
Lesson: 4
Suggested Duration: 5 days
Vocabulary of Instruction:
character exposition falling action
plot rising action resolution
setting climax conflict
Materials:
document camera 4 Colored pencils or pens
timer(s)/clocks for per collaborative group
Collaborative Teams members
4 proofreading paragraphs enter item
Resources:
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell or a similar story in which theme, characterization, symbolism,
and point of view can be illustrated.
Handout: Identifying Common Attributes: T-Chart
Handout: Analyzing A Short StoryThe Most Dangerous Game
Handout: Open-Ended ResponseThe Most Dangerous Game
Handout: Comic Book Hero: Guidelines and Format
Handout: Personal Conflict Resolution
Handout: Proofreading Round Robin
Handout: Proofreading Paragraphs1-4
Handout: Collaborative Team Planning Guide
Handout: Creating Reading ConnectionsThe Most Dangerous Game (Part 1)
Handout: Creating Reading Connections: Textual Annotations Organizer (Part 2)
Handout: Writing Conventions
Handout: Identifying Conflict
Handout: Personal Conflict Resolution
Handout: Story Plot Map
Advance Preparation:
1. Explore suggested websites:
http://fiction.eserver.org/short/the_most_dangerous_game.html/view?searchterm=the%20most%20dangerous%2
0game
www.bookrags.com/
www.enotes.com/
www.youthcomm.org
www.esc13.net/literacy/literaryterms.html
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
http://www.e-tme.com/complete%20list%20of%20prefixes%20and%20suffixes.htm
http://www.iusd.k12.ca.us/uhs/etymo.pdf
2. Prepare Handout: Story Plot Maps and duplicate two for each student in your classes.
3. Assign students into collaborative groups composed of four students. Each student is to be assigned a task within the
group: Task Manager, Resources Manager, Time Keeper, Reporter. All four students must contribute to the
completion of the assignment. See Handout: Collaborative Team Planning Guide.
4. Make copies of all attachments as designated for student distribution and use during lesson. Duplicate the 4
proofreading paragraphs for each group. Each team member should have a different paragraph to pass around within
the collaborative group.
Background Information:
plotthe arrangement of or action in a story; elements in a plot include: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action,
denouement, and authors organization of the action or events that take place within a story. Each of these terms
describes how the story is organized according to the authors presentation of characters, events, and conflicts. It
is possible for the reader to map the plot of the story according to these elements.
expositionthe part of the plot where the setting and characters are introduced.
rising actionsection of the storys plot where the action rises in response to the conflicts in the story. The author may
heighten the readers interest by introducing unexpected events, ideas, or characters to develop the conflict of the
story.
The following terms have been previously introduced and reviewed in prior lessons. See Grade 9 Lessons 1, 2,
and 3 for additional information and activities regarding these terms.
point of viewperspective of the person writing, telling, producing the message. When a story is told in the first-person
point of view, the narrator is a character in the story. The story is told from the perspective of the character
referred to as I. The reader sees everything through the eyes of that particular character.
llmited third-person point of viewtelling a story from the perspective of a narrator who is not a character in the story;
the limited third-person point of view allows the narrator to disclose the thoughts of only one character, but refers
to that character as he or she. Therefore, the reader sees the events that occur in the story through the eyes of
a narrator and a single character in the story.
third-person omniscient point of viewwhen a story is told by a narrator who is outside the story. Such a perspective
allows the reader to know everything that is occurring within the story and within each of the characters.
suspensea feeling of curiosity, uncertainty, or even dread about what is going to happen next. The author builds
suspense by providing clues so that the reader can guess or predict what may happen next.
foreshadowinga literary device used by an author to introduce words, incidents, and dialogue that signal, to the reader,
what is about to occur in the story.
open-ended responsesbrief responses that provide clear, reasonable ideas about various aspects of a text as required
by Texas mandated assessment standards. The response must include evidence in the form of a direct quotation,
a paraphrase, or a specific synopsis from the text to support any conclusions that the reader makes in response
to a question about a literary selection(s).
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
Instructional Procedures Notes for Teacher
NOTE: 1 Day = 50 minutes
ENGAGE Suggested time: 1 Day
Work with the students using a T-Chart to list the attributes of two concepts Record the attributes on the board or
that are controversial. On one side of the T, write the word civilized; on the uses a document camera to illustrate
other side of the chart, write the word uncivilized. one view of a civilized vs. an uncivilized
Using the questions below explore, explore the attributes of these to area.
concepts.
What do we mean when we say we live in a civilized country? What is Call on student volunteers to answer the
the difference between a civilized place and one that isnt? questions and give examples. Engage
Lets list and discuss these differences. all students.
Think about what we mean when we say that people are either civilized
or uncivilized.
Work with student to list the attributes of, what they believe, are civilized or
uncivilized people. Accept responses, ask for examples and encourage
elaboration.
Can we then agree that the term, civilized is defined by the person, TEACHER NOTE
circumstances and events to which it refers? This is a good time to begin a mini
In other words, what is civilized to me may not be civilized to you or lesson on prefixes and suffixes. Ask
to someone else on the other side of the world. Can this be a true students if they know the meaning of the
statement? prefix un in uncivilized. Begin a
Do all cultures define the word, civilized in the same way? Give me discussion of prefixes and suffixes. Ask
examples. How about our local celebrations, such as birthdays, students to give you prefixes and/or
STATE RESOURCE:
Texas Education Agency ELA
Information Booklet on Texas Education
Agency website.
Can we all agree that the main character discovered a great many
truths about himself through the conflicts that he faced in the story?
Conduct a discussion or lecture that conveys the following points of
information:
discoveries are not always expected by the characters because of their
previous beliefs and attitudes. How does conflict impact the
characters decisions in a story?
the author has organized the action in the story so as to highlight the
conflicts that the characters face.
their reactions impact the overall telling of the story, and we can point out Point out that all stories can be mapped
the events that change the momentum of events. Thus, the author has identifying the rising action, the
mapped out the action. Readers can identify these high and low points in climax, the falling action and the
the story as the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and finally, denouement of the conflicts in the
the denouement of the storys events. The author can design the map story.
and organize how the story is told in any way he chooses.
identify the rising action, the climax, the falling action and the
denouement of the story.
recall that point-of-view is a very important literary element in the storys
development. The choice of point of view clearly influences how the
reader sees the consequences of the action that takes place in the story.
Does an authors point of view influence the readers perceptions of Ask the guiding questions to facilitate a
the characters in a story? class discussion, as applicable to the
terms listed at left.
As a class complete the graphic organizer, Handout: Identifying Conflict to TAKS NOTE
identify the types of conflicts that the characters faced in the story. Ask Each of the responses must be justified
students to use their notes as the discussion continues. through some sort of textual evidence in
the form of a direct quotation, a
paraphrase, or a specific synopsis from
the text.
STATE RESOURCE:
See Vocabulary of Instruction and
Texas Education Agency ELA
Information Booklet on the Texas
Education Agency website.
1. Who are the characters in this story?
2. In what ways was suspense created by the author in the story? Lead students to specific passages in
the text as a means to model
corroborating conclusions through
textual support.
3. How did the setting increase the suspense created in the story? MATERIALS:
Give me some examples from the text? Handout: Identifying Conflict graphic
organizer to answer question 3.
4. What conflicts did the characters face in the story? Classify the
types of conflicts that the characters faced in the story. Cite text
evidence to support your responses.
5. How does the authors use of foreshadowing generate suspense in
the story? Give examples from the text to support your conclusions
6. Besides a reference to a contest or competition, what is a second
meaning of the word game in the title of the story? Cite text
evidence to support your conclusion. It is important to note that our
conclusions and inferences must be supported by textual evidence in
order for these statements to be accepted as valid.
Point out that as they read the story, they probably noted how the author put
his ideas together and how his use of effective grammatical conventions
enabled him to get his thoughts across to the reader in a more effective
manner.
ELABORATE
Move into Collaborative Learning Teams to complete the following two Group the students into collaborative
assignments. Give a time limit of 45 minutes to complete this assignment. groups composed of four students.
Each group will then report its findings to the class. Each student is to be assigned a task
within the group: Task Manager,
Resources Manager, Time Keeper, and
Reporter.
All four students must contribute to the
completion of the assignment.
Team Assignment: MATERIALS:
Answer each of the questions on the Handout: Analyzing a Short StoryThe Handout: Collaborative Team
Most Dangerous Game graphic organizer. Groups should be prepared to Planning Guide, Analyzing a Short
report responses. StoryThe Most Dangerous Game,
Identifying Conflict, Story Plot Map.
1. Complete the Handout: Story Plot Map graphic organizer. Be prepared Reporters will present the groups
to report your responses. conclusions to the class.
2. Proofread the paragraphs that were assigned to your group. Each one of MATERIAL:
you will have a different color pen/pencil to make your corrections or Handout: Proofreading Round Robin,
suggestions to improve the paragraph given to you. At the end of every 2 Writing Conventions
minutes you will pass your paragraph to your team member, and you will
receive theirs. Add any other suggestions for revision with your color Directions for Round Robin: You may
pen/pencil every time you receive a new paragraph. This process will decide to use your own proof reading
continue until all of your team members have the opportunity to selections for the class to review.
proofread each of the 4 paragraphs assigned to your group. Corrections should revolve around
spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Check for sentence structures and
phrasing that may need to be revised in
a variety of ways. Suggest to the
Directions: Complete the chart by listing the common attributes that define each of the terms according to the
specified context of the terms in the questions below.
Civilized Uncivilized
Questions to Consider:
1. What do we mean when we say we live in a civilized country? What is the difference between
a civilized place and one that isnt? List these differences.
2. List the attributes of, what we believe, are civilized or uncivilized people.
3. Can we then agree that the term, civilized is defined by the person, circumstances and
events to which it refers?
4. Do all cultures define the word, civilized in the same way?
2. Consider the theme: Man vs. Man. How does the author incorporate the storys theme
throughout the setting, the plot and the conflicts which the characters face?
3. How does General Zaroffs home and way of life contrast with what he does for thrills and
sport on the island?
4. Why does Rainsford change his attitude about hunting another human being?
5. Identify the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the denouement of the story. Cite
text evidence to support your answer.
2. Rainsford also faced an internal conflict that required him to make a personal choice. What is one of the
internal conflicts that Rainsford faced? Support your answer with evidence from the selection.
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3. How does the author use setting to describe General Zaroffs civilized world? Support your answer with
evidence from the selection.
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4. Why does General Zaroff hunt humans instead of animals? Explain your answer, and support it with
evidence from the selection.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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5. What characteristics or attributes helped Rainsford to survive the challenges that he faced in the jungle?
Explain your answer, and support it with evidence from the selection.
______________________________________________________________________________
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All comic book heroes and characters have to deal with conflict. Some characters must deal with
personal challenges; others must deal with world problems. Consider Superman or Spiderman who
fight crime on a daily basis. Not all superheroes are beautiful or appealing. Some are scary or hateful.
However, they all must resolve some sort of conflict.
1. First identify a personal conflict or challenge. Use the graphic organizer, Handout: Personal
Conflict Resolution to identify a conflict; determine what type of conflict it was and how you
resolved it.
2. Next, imagine how you would present this conflict in a comic book format. This means that
you will have to create characters and a plot using your conflict to drive the action of the
story. (Review some of the sample comic books provided to you for ideas on your
presentation.)
3. Draw your comic book story, including the dialogue or story lines that identify your conflict
and how the characters dealt with it. Make sure that you have resolved the conflict at the end
of the story.
4. Tell the reader how dealing with the conflict changed your beliefs, attitudes, or life.
Directions: List your ideas to create characters, setting, and plot events for your comic book story. Identify a conflict, and
indicate how you resolved it in the story.
Conflict Resolution
1. Correct Punctuation (Use of periods, questions marks, commas, colons, semi- colons,
quotation marks, etc.)
2. Capitalization
3. Word Choice
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
Proofreading Paragraph #1
Directions: In the time that you are allotted, proofread the following paragraph, and make your corrections with the
colored pencil/pen that was given to you. You will be asked to correct the next paper after one minute until all four papers
in your group are corrected.
The Hunted
Ranford didnt know that he was to be a animal for general. he knwe that he
was in truble but he was scarred to be alone in the jungle. Zaroff was mean
and he had already killed lot of men in the jungle. Did you know trhat you
were going to be the next hunted anaimal said Zaroff to the man. In the end
no one new that Ranford was goingto get away with murder and that the
hunter was now going to be the hunted. Zaroff now all of a sudden was
dead to. i was asked if i liked this story and I said it was very ecited .
Proofreading Paragraph #2
Directions: In the time that you are allotted, proofread the following paragraph, and make your corrections with the
colored pencil/pen that was given to you. You will be asked to correct the next paper after one minute until all four papers
in your group are corrected.
Zaroff
If you were to think of a villian you would prababy think of general Zaroff he
was a man who was in very much love of hunting pray. He took his hobby to
a newest levell because he had a lot of anmal trofies on his walls. i was
grate hunter himself and he knew that he could beet zaroff if he really
thought about it at the end of the story i really thought it was cool!
Proofreading Paragraph #3
Directions: In the time that you are allotted, proofread the following paragraph, and make your corrections with the
colored pencil/pen that was given to you. You will be asked to correct the next paper after one minute until all four papers
in your group are corrected.
I was asked if the setting made a diffrence to the story? I thought it was
scary too find out that Rainsford was alone and un-armed in the jungle with
a wild man after him and no one cared or knew that he was a captive of
Zarof a crazy hunter who found a better animal to hunt. I knew that the
genral was a skilled hunter in a lusch green forest that gave Rainsford the
opportunity to hide and getaway from the genral Did you know that this story
could probably have taken place if the main charactres had a lot of money
Proofreading Paragraph #4
Directions: In the time that you are allotted, proofread the following paragraph, and make your corrections with the
colored pencil/pen that was given to you. You will be asked to correct the next paper after one minute until all four papers
in your group are corrected.
A theme to ponder
our lives as we sometimes look for solutions we overlook the answers that
sometimes lie at our feet. The theme of the story is that man is not always
aware of how cruel we are to animals who dont carry guns to defend
themselves against humans. I think that a man versis another man is more
challenging and more fair than man against animals. When I ponder about a
theme in this story I think about how we take advanatage of animals who
For our purposes, a collaborative team will be defined as a group of individuals who work
together to accomplish a selected and well-focused task.
Each individual within the group contributes to the task and is designated a specific
role to play within the team.
Each collaborative group will be selected and organized by the teacher.
The roles assigned to the members will be rotated from task to task or as the teacher
decides is appropriate to the assignments purpose.
Collaborative Teams will each be composed of four students assigned to the following roles:
TASK MANAGER: The leader of the group who keeps the group focused on the assigned
task.
RESOURCES MANAGER: The team member who is responsible for accessing and returning
all materials, equipment, resources to enable the group to accomplish their task.
TIME KEEPER: The team member who is responsible for keeping the group true to all time
limits.
REPORTER: The team member who is responsible for reporting the results or summarizing
the task that the team has accomplished during the allotted time.
RESOURCE MATERIALS
All art or resource materials must be bundled and labeled for use by the individual groups, prior to
the groups assignment. A plastic bag or container for each group can serve as a means to make
the routine, of accessing and returning materials to a set location, a much easier task for all
concerned.
The following questions should be considered as you read the story, The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell.
You may have additional questions that arise as you read. Make any notations that you have on the following graphic
organizer. These notes will remind you of what you have read and how these connections enable you to better
understand the story.
Questions to consider
2. What makes each of these characters alike, yet different from each other?
3. How did the setting enhance the suspense in the story? Cite examples from the text to support
your answer.
4. How does the author use foreshadowing to generate suspense in a story? Cite three examples
from the text to support your conclusion.
5. How did the characters reflect the conflicts presented in the story?
6. How did you categorize each of the conflicts experienced by the characters? Give examples
from the text that support your conclusions.
7. What point of view is the author using to tell this story? Cite some examples from the text to
support your conclusion.
8. What do you think is the message or theme that the author is trying to convey to the reader
through the telling of this story? Cite text evidence to support your answer.
EXTERNAL INTERNAL
Directions: 1. In the first column, identify and describe the conflicts in the story you have just read. (i.e. fate, nature, society, man, generational,
cultural, etc.) Be prepared to support your responses with text evidence.
2. Check off whether the conflict is external or internal.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Directions: 1. In the first column, identify and describe a personal conflict that you have recently experienced.
2. Check off whether the conflict is external or internal.
2. Did you have control over the problem or was it caused by someone or something else? Explain. YES NO
4. How did it change your life, your way of thinking, or your actions?
Climax
Setting
Characters
Protagonist
Antagonist
Narrative Denouement
Hook