Their Eyes Were Watching God - Novel Assignment

English 12, Unit 3:
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Presentation of Chapters

Each student will be responsible for leading a 15 minute discussion on a chapter from Their Eyes Were Watching God. Presentations will enable class discussion based on the questions that the presenter(s) prepare in advance of the chapter presentation date.

In planning the presentation, each student should:
• Write a summary of the chapter.
• Develop 3-4 literal questions based on facts from the novel;
• Develop 3-4 interpretive questions that require the individual connections and analysis;
• Develop 1-3 universal questions relate the chapter to the lives of the class or the world at large.
• Include in the questions the author’s use of literary devices, such as imagery, metaphor, simile, and symbolism to help construct meaning and understanding from the text during the class discussion;
• Label the questions as fact, interpretation, or universal.
• Turn in a copy of the questions on the class period the day before the presentation. Make copies for the class; No copies = no points (If your presentation is on Monday, the questions are due on Friday. )

Presentations will begin and end promptly. Be on Time! NO late work will be accepted!

It is expected that all students will keep up with the reading of the novel. Points will be awarded for offering meaningful contributions to the discussions.

Chapter Assignments:
Mrs. Welshon will assign chapters to students. Longer chapters may have more than one person presenting. Group work will have to be completed outside of class. Each person is responsible for writing his/her own summary and questions. For example, if you have two people doing a chapter, they will need 6- 8 questions based on fact, 6-8 questions based on interpretation and 2-6 based on universal elements. A group of two people would have 30 minutes to teach their chapter. Turn in each member’s questions together with the questions that the group has selected to use. Each member of a group will receive the same grade, which will be a reflection of the effort put in by each.

Class Participation:
Each member of the class will be responsible for participation by having the book open to the appropriate chapter, giving eye contact, and taking part in the discussion. I will, as fairly as possible, be awarding credit based on their participation and contributions. Keep in mind that side conversations will be interpreted by me as not paying attention.
Five or more meaningful responses = 25 points
Three meaningful responses = 15 points
Two meaningful responses = 10 points
Quietly Sitting = 0 points

Points:
Presentation of Chapter = 200 (DNM 0-120 Meets C 150 Exceeds B 170 Exceeds A 200)
Questions to the Teacher (Only is provided by the due date, the day BEFORE the presentation) = 50
Class Participation = 25 per day



Chapter 1 -

Summary: One evening in 1928, in the town of Eatenville, Janie, a middle-aged woman, returns on foot to her home, after having been away for some time. Townspeople sitting on the front porch of Pheoby’s house watch her as she walks by. Pheoby leaves the porch with a plate of food for her friend. The two women sit in Janie’s back yard and reminisce. Janie decides to tell her story to her friend with the understanding that Pheoby can then share the story with the others.

1. Do you think the first two paragraphs are an accurate description of men and women? Universal



2. What does the third paragraph say about where the woman had come from? Factual



3. What does the narrator say about the “sitters?” Interpretation



4. What do the sitters say about the woman? Factual



5. Where do we do our “porch talk?” Universal



6. What things do we learn about Janie in this chapter? Factual



7. On page 6, the third paragraph from the bottom reads, “They don’t know if life is a mess….” What two metaphors does Hurston use and what does she mean by them? Interpretation



8. In the last paragraph on page 6, what would Janie say to those who, “come kiss and be kissed?” Interpretation


9. Why does Janie decide to tell Pheoby her story? Factual