November 12 Double Block Synopsis Review & - Start of our Novel Study!!! Alone -

Attendance

Silent Read Personal Novels 20

Noah Practice Kahoot: HERE

Review - Personal Novel Read Assignment - Teams - Synopsis

Review Activity: Writing a Story Synopsis & Exploring Theme - to assist with Personal Novel Read Assignment > Teams.

Text: The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier

Goal

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.

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:
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.

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

In The Hockey Sweater, the young narrator struggles with feeling rejected when he is forced to wear a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater instead of his beloved Canadiens jersey. This simple mistake becomes a symbol of not fitting in and feeling different from those around him. The story shows how identity can be shaped by culture, pride, and the desire to belong — lessons that reach far beyond hockey.

Next - Teacher one-on-one meetings - Teams - updates re: Term 1 Marks. 

While this is happening - Students - review and update Personal Novel Read Assignments - Teams. Cart 3

2nd Half of Nov 12 & Nov 14th Continued . . . 

To library - renew Personal Novels & Sign Out Alone! 

Library - Renew Personal Novel Books & Sign Out 'Alone'

Lesson:

Lesson Title:

Introduction to Alone & The Hero’s Journey

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify the key stages of the Hero’s Journey narrative structure.

2. Make predictions about Alone using background information and cover analysis.

3. Connect the idea of a “hero” to the protagonist of Alone (Maddie).

4. Reflect on personal resilience and what it means to face challenges alone.

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Materials Needed

• Copies of Alone (Megan E. Freeman)

• Hero’s Journey chart/diagram 

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Projector (optional)

• Sticky notes or exit slips

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Lesson Outline

1. Hook / Warm-Up 

“What makes a hero?” Discussion

• Write the word “HERO” 

• Journal Entry Time! 

  • Who are some heroes you admire (real or fictional)?

  • What makes them heroic? At least 3 traits.

  • Do heroes always have superpowers?

Students brainstorm words/traits on the board 

(e.g., brave, selfless, faces fears, helps others).

Next - Transition: “What if a hero’s biggest challenge was just surviving — completely alone?”

2. Introducing the Novel (10–15 min)

Cover and Blurb Analysis

• Show the cover of Alone (projected or physical copy).

• Read the back blurb aloud.

• Questions:

  • What do you think happens in this story?

  • Who is the main character?

  • What kind of challenges might she face?

  • How might she change throughout the story?

Predictions about the novel’s tone and themes 

(isolation, courage, survival, resilience).

Friday - 

Silent Read Personal Novel 20 min

Review of Wed: 

Mini-Lesson: The Hero’s Journey (20–25 min)

Step 1: Explain the Concept

• Many stories follow a pattern called the Hero’s Journey — a map of how a character grows through challenges.

• Visual chart - Student Handout. 

Stage	Description	Example
1. Ordinary World	Hero’s normal life
2. Call to Adventure	Something disrupts life
3. Trials & Challenges	Hero faces obstacles
4. Crisis / Abyss	Lowest point
5. Transformation	Learns or
6. Return	Returns changed / wiser

• Examples from movies they know (Harry Potter, Moana, Spider-Man, The Hunger Games).

Step 2: Connect to Alone
Ask:

• What might Maddie’s “call to adventure” be?

• What kind of trials do you predict she’ll face?

• What do you think her “transformation” could look like?

Hero’s Journey Prediction Chart -