Page 79 - SpringBoard_ELD_Grade8_Flipbook

aCTiViTY 1.4
interact in Meaningful Ways: academic Collaboration
Learning Targets
• Ask and answer questions about a short story in collaborative conversations, demonstrating active listening, and drawing upon an expanding pool of language resources for discussing literature. PI.8.1, PI.8.5, PI.8.6a–c
• Express and support opinions of a short story in conversation. PI.8.3
Turn to your partner or small group to discuss each question about “Harrison Bergeron.” After you have discussed a question, write notes about your answer before going on to the next question.
1. What are handicaps in the story? What problem in society are the handicaps supposed to solve? CCSS.RL.8.1
The handicaps are devices people must wear to prevent any unfair advantages from natural intelligence, strength, or ability. They are supposed to solve the problem of some people being better than others.
3. What words and phrases are used to show how and why Harrison is a threat to society? Which words are most effective to people in that society? CCSS.RL.8.4
Harrison is a threat to society because
he is “a genius and an athlete, and is under-handicapped.” He is also “extremely dangerous” and people are warned not “to try to reason with him.” The phrases “under- handicapped” and “extremely dangerous” are highly effective to the people of that society.
Asking Questions
2. Why do the characters accept their handicaps? What are the consequences for not wearing them? CCSS.RL.8.2
People accept their handicaps because they believe in absolute equality. They are also afraid of the consequences of disobeying. The consequences for not wearing handicaps are fines and jail time, and the possibility of death.
4. What is the central conflict in the story? How do the characters react to it and why? CCSS.RL.8.3
The central conflict is with the laws of the society that dictate the handicaps. Characters complain but they mostly obey, except for Harrison.
The handicaps are . They are supposed to solve the problem of .
The consequences for not wearing the handicaps are .
The central conflict of the story is , and the characters react by .
Harrison is a threat to society because .
Short stories often end by showing how characters respond to the resolution of the main conflict. With your partner or small group, read aloud the ending of “Harrison Bergeron” paragraphs 80–87. Discuss what questions you have about the ending. Write one question to share with the whole class.
56 SpringBoard® English Language Development Grade 8
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