+ Before Reading: Connect to Your Life Label the next available
page in your LNb, Boy: Tales of Childhood. Complete the following
journal prompt. Be sure to write at least 3-5 sentences, and be
prepared to discuss. Pranks can take on many forms funny or not so
funny, harmless or harmful. They may also have unforeseen
consequences. Describe a prank that you have played or that has
been played on you. What were the consequences of the prank? How
would you categorize it? Read the Build Background section on page
533 in your literature book.
Slide 3
+ Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary You can use antonyms to
define unfamiliar words. His voice was reassuring, but there was
something malignant in his eyes. The two italicized words are
antonyms. Which one is more familiar to you? What does it mean?
Based on this information, what does malignant mean?
Slide 4
+ Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary Define each of the
underlined vocabulary words by using its italicized antonym. The
simple plan became increasingly elaborate as time went by. Far from
being attractive, the idea was loathsome. The flourishing candy
shop stood next to an unsuccessful hat shop. The cake, instead of
being served dry, was saturated with a delicious syrup.
Slide 5
+ First Reading: Understand Dialect One of the ways that an
author makes a character come alive for the reader is by using
dialect, a type of language spoken by people of a particular class
or region. A dialect may differ from standard language in grammar,
pronunciation, and vocabulary. As you read the excerpt from Boy:
Tales of Childhood, pay attention to the dialect of Mrs. Pratchett
not only what she says, but how she says it. Complete the dialect
ws as you complete your first silent reading of Boy.
Slide 6
+ Discussion Questions How does Dahl view the mouse plot as an
adult? Of what does Mrs. Pratchett wrongly accuse the boys? Is Mrs.
Pratchetts dislike of the boys more justified or understandable
than their dislike of her? Why or why not? What frightens Dahl most
about the prank? What is the boys attitude toward Dahl when he has
the idea for the prank? How does their attitude change when they
find the shop closed?
Slide 7
+ Second Reading: Connecting A readers process of relating the
content of a literary work to his or her own knowledge and
experience is called connecting. This helps you understand what you
read because you will be able to make sense and understand the
material more easily. As you read, pay attention to the selections
events and to the characters thoughts, feelings, actions, and
emotions. Note these connections on the Connecting ws as you
complete the second reading of the story.
Slide 8
+ Third Reading: Characterization Nonfiction writers use the
same techniques to develop characters as fiction writers do. What
are some methods of characterization? Description of characters
appearance Description of characters words, actions, or thoughts
Characters self-description Other characters descriptions of a
character Other characters thoughts about a character Other
characters actions toward a character Direct description from the
author The setting in which the character is found
Slide 9
+ Third Reading: Characterization How does the narrator of Boy
describe the character on the bicycle? He is twelve years old. He
is skilled at bicycle riding. He is brave and graceful. He wears
long trousers and a scarlet school cap. Complete the
Characterization ws while you read the story for the third
time.