The Outsiders

The Outsiders

S.E HintonChristine Wells

Learning Outcomes

In this unit you will: Read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Identify key features of the plot. Identify and describe key characters and their

motivation. Explain the effectiveness of the language used in

these stories. Identify and describe the key themes and explain

what the author wants us to think about. Write in a formal style to express an opinion on a

topic relating to issues in the text. Write creatively to explore and demonstrate

understanding of the issues in the text.

Character overview

In pairs, list all the characters introduced in chapter 1 and beside each write a description next to each one.

ThinkingRelating to othersUsing language, symbols and text

Managing selfParticipating

GatheringProcessing

Chapter 3 questions

1. Create a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between the Soc’s and Greasers.

2. Explain why Cherry won’t say ‘hi’ to Ponyboy at school. Include a quote.

3. Describe P-boys parents. Include a quote.4. Explain why P-boy wants to move to the country.

Include a quote.5. Describe what happen when P-boy came home

late.6. Imagine that you are Johnny. Write a journal

entry to describe your thoughts and feelings about your family. Write at least 5 sentences.

ThinkingUsing language, symbols and text


GatheringProcessingApplying

Chapter 4 questions

1. Create a visual timeline of 5 events in this chapter.

2. Record definitions for the following words:a) Reformatory b) Premonitionc) Hermit d) Rueful3. Explain what Pony means when he says the Soc’s

were ‘reeling pickled’.4. What would your advice be to Pony and Johnny if

they came to you for help? Explain in at least 5 sentences.

5. In pairs, create a wordfind with at least 10 words. Use names or words from chapter 4.




Characters: match the name with the description.Write out the characters name and matching description.

Write out the letters and numbers also.

a. Ponyboy Curtis 1. Soda’s best friendb. Darryl Curtis 2. Won’t fight in the last

rumblec. Sodapop Curtis 3. It’s his idea to go to Jay

Mountaind. Two-Bit Mathews 4. She says she might

love Dallye. Johnny Cade 5. The Soc who is killedf. Steve Randall 6. He hates Baloney at the end

of the novelg. Dallas Winston 7. The clown of the gangh. Sandy 8. The second oldest brotheri. Cherry Valance 9. Tells Ponyboy to ‘stay

gold’j. Marcia 10. Sodapop’s girlfriendk. Bob Sheldon 11. He dropped out of

Collegel. Randy 12. Randy’s girlfriend

ThinkingUsing language, symbols

and textManaging selfParticipating

GatheringProcessing

Answers:

a. 6b. 11c. 8d. 7e. 9f. 1

g. 3h. 10i. 4j. 12k. 5l. 2

Ponyboy Curtis – class discussion

POnyboy

personality

Appearance

Family situation

Friends



Gathering

Ponyboy - changes Map the changes that Ponyboy goes through. Write a description and include a quote in each square.

2. He realises

that Darry has given

up a lot for Soda and

him.Explain why

– Quote – Pg. 212

3. Loses his fear of the

Soc’s.Describe –

Quote –

Pg. 206

1. Realises that Socs are not so different to Greasers.Describe how –

Quote –

Pg. 43 new book.

ThinkingUsing language, symbols and

textManaging selfParticipating

GatheringProcessing

Johnny Cade – class discussion

Johnny

personality

Appearance

Family situation

Friends



Gathering

Johnny and Pony Identify 3 reasons why the relationship between Johnny and

Ponyboy is important. Include a quote for each point. Describe the situation for each quote. Explain what we can learn from each situation.

1. Many things in common.

2. Johnny taught Pony to stay gold.

3. Johnny comes out of his shell.



GatheringProcessing

Creative writing

Frequently events happen that we don’t want to be associated with (eg. Johnny killing Bob) – but we have no choice in the matter. Write a description of a similar event that has happened in your life.

Write at least 300 words.



Applying

Cherry

1. Re-read Chapter Two and write down the important quotes from the conversations between Cherry and Ponyboy.

2. Write a paragraph that describes what Ponyboy learnt from Cherry.

3. Find the other areas of the book that include Cherry. Look carefully at what she says and add any important quotes to the earlier list.

4. Explain why Cherry was an important character in the book. What part does she play?



GatheringProcessing

Choose 3 of the characters listed below answer the following questions. Record at least 3 quotations from the book to support your answers.

1.Describe what they look like.2.Describe their personality.3.Explain how the characters relate together/or get

on with each other.4.Explain how we are made to feel about the

characters.

Darry Sodapop DallyTwo-Bit Randy



GatheringProcessing

Character activities.Choose 1 of the following:

1. Decide who you would like to invite to your class from The Outsiders as a guest speaker. What sort of questions would you ask? What could the answers be?

2. In groups make a list about the good and bad qualities of Ponyboy, Dallas, Johnny, and Cherry.

3. Draw a symbol or selection of symbols for one character in the book, or two characters that have a strong contrast. Begin by selecting ideas from magazines, be prepared to explain your reasons behind your symbol to the class.




Character essay

Describe a significant relationship in the text. Explain why this relationship was significant.

OR

Describe a major change in a character in the text. Explain why this change was important.


Managing self

ProcessingApplying

Unfamiliar text

New book: half way down 167 – halfway down 171. Green book: page 100 – top of 102. Brown cover: page 138 – top of 141. Red and blue cover: page 147 – middle of page 150.

Read the below passage then copy the questions and complete the answers in your books.

1. Identify what made Darry “…more determined to get somewhere”.

2. Is the story written in first, second or third person? Explain why this is effective.

3. Describe the Brumly gang.4. Explain the difference between the two gangs.5. Record an example of alliteration.6. Define ‘reformatory’.7. Record an example of slang and explain its meaning.8. Record an example of a metaphor and explain what it is

describing.9. List 5 things that Shepard’s gang were used to fighting

with.10. Explain why Ponyboy thought that they shouldn’t be

there.



GatheringProcessing

Theme One: Differences cause conflict

1. Describe at least 2 of the conflicts that arise between the Greasers and the Socs.

2.Explain why the Greasers are jealous of the Socs.3.Explain why the Socs are jealous of the Greasers.4.Randy says ‘Even if you whip us in a rumble, you’ll

still be at the bottom.’ This shows us that the two groups are aware of what?

5.Identify who helps us to realise that underneath both gangs are similar. How?

6. Explain what we can learn from this message.Some useful quotes: Greasers are described by the Socs as ‘white trash

with long hair’. ‘You want to know something?’ She looked me

straight in the eye. ‘Things are rough all over.’ pg 31

‘Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We saw the same sunset.’ pg 34



Gatheringprocessing

In pairs, read through notes and complete the chart.Greaser character Explanation of Quote who has problem problem1.

2.

3.

Soc character Explanation of Quote who has problem problem

1.

2.

3.

Theme Two: It’s rough all over



GatheringProcessing

Formal writing: Reporting the News.

The Tulsa Times In Chapter 7 we learn that a local

newspaper has published a full page of stories about the killing in the park, the fire in the old church etc. You are going to write those stories now!

Work in a group of no more than 4. Everyone must contribute to the writing of the articles.

Each article must be at least 300 words in length and include a photo.

Your work must be published on Microsoft Publisher.




The Tulsa Times

You need to produce stories or features on the following:

The fight and killing in the park - include quotes from those involved.

The fire in the old church at Windrixville and the rescue of the children (including a quote from a parent).

A special feature about the Curtis boys: the death of their parents; Darry and his 2 jobs; Sodapop the dropout; Ponyboy the star student; the possibility that the younger boys will be sent to a children’s home.

Perhaps also a feature on the two gangs: Greasers and Socs (who are they?).

Theme three: Staying Gold

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.Then leaf subsides to

leaf.So Eden sank to grief,So dawn goes down to

day.Nothing gold can stay.

by Robert Frost

Significance of poem to The Outsiders

The best time in our lives is when we are young and innocent like Ponyboy and Johnny, but this time doesn’t last. Effectively birth signals the start of death, and for the Greasers because of their ‘suicidal lifestyle’, it may come before they’ve had a chance to experience life’s beauty.

Youth is the flowering of life but it is cut short by adulthood which comes sooner for some, like Darryl. After adulthood comes death and another life is lost forever. ‘I ain’t ready to die, Pony,’ Johnny’s life has tragically ended before it’s time. There are so many things he hasn’t seen or done.

Like sunrise and sunset, life is a cycle but for humans the cycle comes round only once. If we don’t make the most of our cycle we miss out on the beauty of living. Johnny tells Ponyboy to ‘stay gold’, not to change the way he is, ‘it’s a great way to be.’ He says to tell Dally to make the most of his life but unfortunately for him it is also too late.

Stay Gold

Activities

1. Listen to the Stevie Wonder song ‘Stay Gold’ (the credit music from the film)

2. Read "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost

3. Read Excerpt 1: Page 38 and Excerpt 2: Page 68-70

4. Discuss ideas.5. Use the materials provided (paper,

markers, scissors, glue,) to create an artistic interpretation/representation of the poem.

ThinkingRelating to others

Using language, symbols and text



Theme essay

Describe a theme from a novel you have studied this year and explain how it is relevant to you.

OR

Describe an important moment in a text you have studied in class and explain why it is important.


and textManaging self

ProcessingApplying

End of unit test

Choose ONE of these to answer Describe an important idea in the text. Explain what the

reader could learn from it.ORDescribe an important moment in the text you have studied

and explain why this moment was important. ORDescribe a main character in the text. Explain what you

learnt from the words and/or actions of this character. You need to write a minimum of 300 words.


Managing self

ProcessingApplying

Bibliography

Jenny Thomas: The Outsiders unit plan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lRH6h2x

Education

The Outsiders