Nov 12 missing from Nov 7

 Attendance

Silent Read 20

Review Synopsis Sample & Themes - Teams > Assignment

Practice: Group Work - Hockey Sweater Activity. 

Group Activity: Writing a Story Synopsis & Exploring Theme

Text: The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier

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Goal

Work together to write a short story synopsis and explore key themes using The Hockey Sweater. This will help you understand how to summarize a story and identify its deeper message — just like the sample assignment for The Outsiders.

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Part 1: Understanding a Story Synopsis

Step 1: Read the Example
Review the Outsiders sample from your Personal Novel Reading Assignment. Discuss:

• What kind of details does it include?

• How long is it?

• What does it avoid (no opinions, no spoilers)?

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Step 2: Sample Synopsis – The Hockey Sweater

Title and Author:
The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier

Genre:
Short Story / Canadian Classic

Brief Synopsis:
 

Sample Below:

Target Audience:

Ideal for middle school readers who enjoy stories about childhood, sports, and cultural identity.

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Part 2: What Is a Theme?

A theme is the central message, lesson, or idea that the author wants readers to think about.
Themes are universal — they apply to real life, not just the story.

Examples from The Outsiders:

• Friendship and loyalty

• Social class and identity

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Step 3: Sample Theme Analysis – The Hockey Sweater

Theme: Identity and Belonging

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Part 3: Group Task Instructions

1. Write Your Own Synopsis (4–6 sentences):

   • Include the title, author, setting, characters, conflict, and main idea.

2. Identify 2–3 Possible Themes:

   • Choose one and explain it.

   • Use an example from the story to support your idea.

3. Share Your Work:

   • Present your synopsis and theme to the class.

   • Discuss similarities and differences between group interpretations.

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One-On-One Teacher Meetings! Term 1 End. 

*Work on your Personal Novel Teams Assignments! Not much class time left!!! 

READ! 

Sample Synopsis 

Set in a small Quebec village in the 1940s, The Hockey Sweater tells the story of a young boy who idolizes Maurice “Rocket” Richard and proudly wears his Montreal Canadiens sweater. When his mother accidentally orders him a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater instead, he faces embarrassment and ridicule from his teammates and community. The story humorously explores the tension between personal identity and community expectations while capturing the deep cultural significance of hockey in Canadian life.