Lesson Plan
Bell ringer:
Students will answer the following question in their reading journal and then share their responses with the class.
What qualities come to mind when you hear the word "mother"?
"I do":
Teacher will read aloud Chapter 2 of Brothers in Arms.
Stop at the following points for class discussion:
*Pg. 19: "But Mom was awake when I got there. Her face turned white when she saw me, like she was about to throw up." What does this tell us about the personality of Martin Luna's mother? Why is this detail important?
*Pg. 21: "The glass in her hand dropped to the sink and shattered, but she didn't seem to notice. Her eyes were wild and stormy-looking." How does Martin Luna's mother react to his defiance? Why is this detail important?
*Pg. 10: "This isn't your decision, Martin. You're only sixteen years old. I'm still your mother, and you're coming with me. Let's go!" What does this reveal about the personality of Martin Luna's mother? Has she changed from when we met her at the start of the chapter?
"We do":
In pairs, create a "before / after" chart analyzing the personality of Martin Luna's mother at the start of chapter 2 and at the close of chapter 2.
Students will then share their charts with the class.
"You do":
Using evidence from the chapter, write a well-developed paragraph explaining how the character of Martin Luna's mother changes as the chapter progresses.
Exit slip:
On a notecard, students will note three adjectives that describe Martin Luna's mother at the start of the chapter and three adjectives that describe her personality at the close of the chapter.
LINK TO BOOK: http://www.townsendpress.com/store/product/brothers-in-arms/
