Lesson 1 Introduction I

Objectives:

• To define autobiography and understand its morphology
• To practice prediction

Materials

• "Sympathy" by Paul Dunbar,
  
• Scavenger Hunt Handouts
  
• Scavenger Hunt Key

Procedure

1. Opening Activity:
   Explain to students that everyone has a story to tell, the story of his or her life. Some stories are sad; others are joyous. Some illustrate defeat; others triumph. Many dazzle and amaze us, and almost all teach us something about others or ourselves.
   
   
2. Tell students, “Think of a time in your life that might make for an interesting story. Write a journal response of about 75-100 words about a time you were surprised, extremely happy, sad, angry, embarrassed, amazed, frightened, or proud. As you write, concentrate on feelings and mental pictures.” Have students share in pairs or small groups, and ask for a few volunteers to share with the class.
   
   
3. Explain to students that they are about to read one extraordinary woman’s life story. It is taught in high schools and universities throughout this country and has been translated into several languages.
   
   
4. Tell students that the name for a life story is autobiography, an account of the writer’s own life. Explain the difference between biography and autobiography. Discuss morphology of the word.
   
   
5. Explain that as students read, they will be asked to use active reading strategies that aid in comprehension. One such strategy is prediction. Tell students the author and title of the autobiography and have them predict what the story is about. (Note: Have students write their predictions on their paper; teacher writes on board/chart paper). Discuss.
   
   
6. Explain that the autobiography they will read is based on the poem “Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar and that reading the poem will help further inform their predictions.
   
   
7. Read the poem aloud as students read along. Have students read the poem silently and add to their predictions. Discuss the poem and its possible “meanings.” Share predictions.
   
   
8. Teacher might need to clarify the story in the poem and might suggest its intent.
   
   
9. Show students a picture/image of Maya Angelou. Explain that they are being assigned to complete a scavenger hunt to learn some things about her that will not be covered in this first autobiography. Explain that her autobiography is told in five sequential books, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the first.
   
   
10. Assign the scavenger hunt.
    
    
11. If time remains, return to “Sympathy” for a discussion of literary devices.