Introduction
How To Find the Central Idea of Our Text
Goodmorning Class! Today we will be analyzing how to find a specific central idea of a certain text. Since we have just finished Roald Dahl's "Matilda", we will be using that text to analyze.
For this task, each of you will need to remember our definition for "analyzation." If you are having trouble recalling, turn to page 394 in your textbooks to read off the definition.
Furthermore, I'd like each of you to watch on your Chromebooks this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMUr-kTMhuw
(listed below)
This video will quickly point out what a "central idea" is.
Task
Task: Creating the Poster
Now, I'd like you to pull out your posters that you received yesterday during class. We are going to perform an activity where you will use your poster and the knowledge you have of this book to create a "web" design where you connect moments from the book to the central idea.
If you are having a hard time figuring out what kinds of central ideas to use for this book, use this Spark Notes link: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/matilda/themes/ You are allowed to let the notes on this website influence what you write on your poster, however you are not allowed to copy straight from this website onto your poster.
For this task, you will be required to make individual posters where you will design a web, in where in the middle will be your "Central idea." Around your central idea, you will write, draw, or color different scenes from the book that represents the central idea. For example: you could write "being unique isn't always a bad thing" for your central idea in the middle and have off to the side a line that points from your central idea to either a drawing or a description of how Matilda has used her unique magical powers for good in the book.
Process
Process/Requirements
- You will need colored markers.
- You will also need your Matilda books for references. (When you quote the book, make sure you include the page number after the quote)
- You are required to include 4 quotes from the book.
- Draw a circle (or oval) at the front of your poster. Inside that circle, write what you believe to be the central idea for Roald Dahl's "Matilda" is. (Hint: Remember the WIN points from the video!)
- Draw 6 lines that shoot out of the circle that lead to different spaces on your poster.
- On these 6 spaces, you will either write a scene description with quotes, or you will draw the scene out with colored markers. You must make sure that this scene references what you believe to be the central idea of this book.
- Once you have completed, make sure your name and the date are on the top right corner and turn your poster in tomorrow morning.
Evaluation
Evaluation
drawing/design: The poster is neatly organized with name at the top (10%)
content: The poster follows all instructions and delivers a thought-out central idea with descriptions (30%)
spelling: Every word is spelled correctly (5%)
descriptions connect to central idea: The connections made between the central idea and the descriptions/drawings make sense (20%)
color/scene description: The scenes described are clearly referenced in the book and make good use of the central idea (20%)
quotes: There are 4 quotes given with correct page numbers (15%)
Total: 100%
Conclusion
Conclusion
By completing this project, you will have demonstrated your knowledge on what a central idea is, and you will have tested your experience in building upon previous lesson material such as how to quote something, and your attention to spelling. This project also is a great way of demonstrating that you followed along in your reading for our book "Matilda."
Once you have turned in your poster to me, we will be starting a new Roald Dahl book titled "The BFG." (BFG stands for Big Friendly Giant).
Credits
Credits/standards
Standard for this lesson: RI.4.2 (Analyze how the central ideas are reflected in a text and cite relevant implicit and explicit evidence from the text.)
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMUr-kTMhuw (video below)
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/matilda/themes/