WOLMER S BOYS SCHOOL ENGLISH LITERATURE COURSE OUTLINE DURATION: CHRISTMAS TERM 2017 GRADE LEVEL: GENRE: FIRST FORM Prose Main Text My Father Sun-Sun Johnson (C. Everard Palmer) Rationale As students leave the primary years behind and move towards adolescence/adulthood, the first year of the secondary education programme marks a crucial time in their development. As such, this unit will create the opportunity for the students to develop even greater interest in Literature and focus on the analysis of prose fiction as a discrete literary mode through engaging with the novel, My Father, Sun Sun Johnson, by C. Everard Palmer and other examples of prose. Through engagement with Literature students will come to recognise and appreciate that, Great Literature is simply Language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree. - Ezra Pound. It is expected that students will develop competence, critical thinking skills, and a greater appreciation for this discipline. General Objectives At the end of the unit students should: 1. Understand goals and expectations. 2. Know the three genres of literature and their elements. 3. Know the elements of prose-fiction. 4. Recognise how the historical context helps them to understand the novel. 5. Develop an appreciation for the genre. 6. Recognise and appreciate the integrative aspects of Literature with other subject areas. 7. Know how to construct an effective essay.
WEEK DATE TOPIC Student Tasks 1 Sept. 4-8 Introduction Course Outline Goals and expectations Literature What is Literature? The Three Genres - Prose, Poetry and Drama Realistic Fiction The Elements of Prose: i. Plot ii. Characterisation iii. Setting iv. Theme v. Point of View Discuss the Genres and the Elements Read a short story. Answer comprehension questions. Note the use of the elements of prose. Establish previous knowledge about Prose/Literature 2 Sept. 11-15 Plot - Elements of Plot i. Exposition ii. Rising Action iii. Conflict iv. Falling Action v. Resolution Preparing to Read Everard Palmer: Life history Setting & Historical Context: Jamaica Post Independence Reflection on Post-Independence Jamaica: Economic Development and Happiness. Havelock R. Brewster. Possible Integrations History Art Social Studies Religious Ed. Geography (Students link/identify other subject areas to info in story.) Overview (Skimming the novel) Brainstorming: What do you know? What can you predict? Define key terms related to plot. Complete word games. Create a graphic organizer.
3 Sept. 18-22 Chapters 1 3: Plot- Exposition: Robin Hill, Rural Jamaica. The Johnson s and their Antagonist, Jake Hibbertson Review the Chapters Chapter headings as inspiration for Story boards Characterisation: Types of characters Characters and Conflict Characterisation Methods Characters in the Novel Family Tree Character Comparison Chart Character Sketches Setting Post Independence Jamaica Rural farming Community Robin Hill and River Bottom Calamity comes to Robin Hill Students' illustration of Robin Hill and River Bottom 4 Sept. 25-29 Themes Loss and Adversity Family Relationships Chapters 4 5 Plot - Rising Action More catastrophe Characterisation: Sun-Sun Johnson, Rami, Debbi, Jake Hibbertson, Mrs. Hilcher, Donna Rae Review the chapters Characters analysis Themes Overcoming adversity, Love, Friendship. Growing Up Strong: Exploring Manhood/ Masculinity in My Father, Sun Sun Johnson. Comment on the theme of family relationship Literary Devices- Metaphor, personification, hyperbole
5 Oct. 2-6 Chapters 6-7 Plot - Rising Action Further conflicts arise Rami s dilemma Characterisation - Sun-Sun, Jake and Debbie Setting - Themes - Tone Robin Hill as ideal; River Bottom as No-Man s Land Power and Powerlessness Marriage Review the chapters Letter writing (encouraging Rami to come home) Diary entries: Why I stayed with Father? Reflections on a Broken Family Ad for the opening of Sun Sun s new shop Essay writing 6 Oct. 9-13 Chapters 8-9 Plot - Climax Review the chapters Characterisation Rami The Villagers Discuss Rami s Growth Themes - Imagery Essay writing Family Relationships Determination Examine the major tensions between the protagonist and the antagonist Dear Counsellor Letters 7 Oct. 13-16 Midterm Break 7 Oct. 17-20 Revision of chapters 1-9 Essay Writing Presentations Work sheet 8 Oct. 23-27 Sixth Weekly Exams Essay Writing Peer editing Presentations
9 Oct. 30- Nov. 3 Plot - Chapter 10 Falling action: The end of the novel approaches Characterisation - Examining character traits Essay Writing Journal entry Peer editing Presentations Theme - Restoration Love Essay writing - Conclusion 10 Nov. 6-10 Chapter 11 *Lit and Lang PROJECT- Group Work Plot - Themes - Resolution: Are happy endings necessary? Love and Sacrifice Heroism Designing Sun-Sun s obituary A eulogy for Sun Sun Johnson Newspaper article on Heroism and Sacrifice Memorial- Remembering a Hero Report to be read on the 7:00 news 11 Nov. 13-17 What is symbolism? Symbolism in My Father, Sun-Sun Johnson Characterisation and Symbolism Themed Word puzzles Jigsaw puzzles Work sheets Essay writing 12 Nov. 20-24 Setting and Symbolism Poems Songs Collages Photo Montage 13 Nov. 27- Dec. 1 Revision Riddles Word-Based Games 14 Dec. 4-8 Sixth Weekly Exams Revision 15 Dec. 11-15 Fun and Games
* Essays from weeks 9 and 11, will be graded Characterisation and Symbolism will be the main focus of these essays. * Letter writing assignment from week 5 will be graded. * Final graded piece will be based on a work sheet activity.