Page 104 - ELA_CA_HighSchool_Sampler_Flipbook

MAMA (thoughtfully, and suddenly very far away): Ten thousand dollars—
RUTH: Sure is wonderful.
MAMA: Ten thousand dollars.
RUTH: You know what you should do, Miss Lena? You should take yourself a trip somewhere. To Europe or South America or someplace—
MAMA (throwing up her hands at the thought): Oh, child!
RUTH: I’m serious. Just pack up and leave! Go on away and enjoy yourself some.
Forget about the family and have yourself a ball for once in your life—
Second Read
• Reread the scene to answer these text-dependent questions.
• Write any additional questions you have about the text in your Reader/Writer Notebook.
2. Craft and Structure: What is the significance of Mama’s use of the word ledger when she says “I don’t want that [selling alcohol] on my ledger this late in life”?
A ledger is a book for keeping accounts or tracking money, but Mama is referring to an account of her life’s actions. The word is significant because of its double meaning in a conversation she is having with Ruth about business and money. RL.11–12.4
3. Key Idea and Details: What are the conflicting attitudes toward the role of money in this family? What does money mean to each of the main characters? Identify the textual evidence to support your response.
Mama doesn’t think it’s decent to talk about money, and she doesn’t seem
to think it is the most important thing in life. She says, “Somebody would of thought my children done all but starved to death the way they talk about money here late.” Ruth, however, thinks acquiring it and using it to make life better is important. She won’t call in sick, because they “need the money,” and she encourages Mama to “Just pack up and leave! ... Forget about the family and have a ball for once in [your] life.” RL.11–12.1
4. Key Idea and Details: What message does the author convey about the power of money? Provide evidence from the text to support your interpretation.
The characters are obsessed with money. They see it as the solution to problems and the key to a better life. Ruth is thin and tired, but she says she must work because “We need the money.” Her husband needs money in order to take a chance on a new business. Only Mama doesn’t seem to be worried about it. RL.11–12.2
Check Your Understanding
Look back at the quotes you read at the beginning of this activity. Which quotes relate to the tone and meaning of the poem? Which quotes relate to characters in the drama? Make a chart to show your answers.
My Notes
Unit 1 • The American Dream 81
ACTIVITY 1.15
continued
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10/3/15 12:35 AM
ACTIVITY 1.15 continued
14 SECOND READ: During the second reading, students will be returning to the text to answer the text-dependent comprehension questions. You may choose to have students reread and work on the questions in a variety of ways:
• independently
• in pairs
• in small groups
• together as a class
15 Have students answer the text-dependent questions. If they have difficulty, scaffold the questions by rephrasing them or breaking them down into smaller parts. See the Scaffolding the Text-Dependent Questions boxes for suggestions.
16 Guide students to read the Check Your Understanding activity carefully before they begin working. Help them design an appropriate chart for completing the activity.
Unit 1 • The American Dream 81
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.