Nothing But the Truth Prereading What is this

Nothing But the Truth Pre-reading: What is this boy doing? Who is behind him? Based on the quote, the picture and the title, what do you predict this story will be about? Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Does anyone ever say no?

Rights as American Citizens • We all have a right to speak. • Do we have an obligation to speak “nothing but the truth”? • Kids, because they aren’t legal adults, can’t be prosecuted for lying in court. Are you accountable for what you say?

About the Author • Avi – Example of a “documentary novel” – Famous for young adult literature – Young adult literature • Typified by a clearer moral universe – Good guys v. bad guys – Harry Potter, The Outsiders • Bildungsroman– A young person learns to think and act like an adult while making adult decisions. – “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, but now I am an adult and have to put away childish things. ”

More about the Author… • http: //www. scholastic. com/teachers/contribu tor/avi

Literary Terms Protagonist– The main character in the story. Antagonist– The character against the main character. Foil– An opposite character, highlighting the differences between specific characters. Foreshadowing– Giving clues as to what may happen next. Conflict– the main problem in the story. Complication– the side problems in the story. Direct Characterization– telling about a character. Indirect Characterization– showing about a character.

Memo: like an all-school email A routine item in a memo asks students at Harrison High School to stand at “respectful, silent attention” for the national anthem, foreshadowing the central conflict on which the plot will turn. We then meet the two main characters. Philip Malloy, a ninth-grader, enthusiastically reflects in his diary about his hopes for competing in track and his problems with his “uptight” English teacher, Miss Narwin.

NBTT JOURNAL • Write 1 or more pages for each topic. • Include at least two specific examples from the story in your response and underline them. • These often ask you to connect your experiences with the topic, so use “I/me” and include your own ideas.

JOURNAL– Chapter One • Write about Philip Malloy as though it is the first day of school and you’ve just met him. Does he seem likeable? Is he “cool”? Does he remind you of yourself or someone you know? • What is he “into”? What kind of student do you think he is? Is he like you or any of your friends? In what way(s) is he similar or different?

JOURNAL– Chapter One • Comment on what is important to you - what are your goals for this year? For your life? Be truthful.

JOURNAL Chapter 2 -4 • Harrison School District insists students are silent to show respect during the national anthem. – Do you agree with this rule? Why/not? – Do you think silence or singing along would be more respectful? – When we pray, would it be more respectful to be silent or, as some people do, murmur assent and “mms, ” and “amens”?

JOURNAL– Chapter 2 -4 • Comment on two of following statements using events from the story and your own life. – I prefer teachers like Mr. Lunser who lets some misbehavior slide. – I think boys don’t show respect toward girls. – I think kids don’t take tests seriously like Philip did on his English test, and sometimes they cheat because they haven’t studied.

JOURNAL– Chapters 5 -8 • What are the issues in this book about money? (Ideas: Who needs it and for what? How does a lack of money affect the school? How does needing money affect Philip and his parents, his dad especially? )

JOURNAL– Chapters 5 -8 • Respond to a poor grade which you have gotten on a major test. Have you ever acted out unnecessarily at a teacher because of that grade? How do your parents respond to a poor grade? Explain.

JOURNAL– Chapter 9 • With a partner, write an article for the school newspaper called Rules Up Trip Philip Malloy using the major events of the story as it’s happened so far. Be careful not to give your own opinion. In the article, give the facts and interview: – Coach – Miss Narwin – Philip.

Example of Article Philip Malloy, attempting to entertain the class, has gotten himself in a lot of hot water. According to his friend, Todd Becker, “He’s always trying to impress the girls, so he does these funny things in class to get them to pay attention to him. ” Malloy disputed Becker’s opinion and blamed English teacher Margaret Narwin for his suspension.

However, according to Narwin, it is Malloy who is to blame. “I never wanted him to be suspended, ” asserted the 25 -year veteran teacher. “I suggested he be placed in a new homeroom with a teacher more flexible with the rules than me. ” Malloy said Narwin was “out to get [him]” because she gave him a D in her class. Narwin said the grade was due to poor performance on a major test. Coach Earl Jamison confirmed that Malloy is not on the track team due to district policy requiring that students earn a C or higher in all of their courses.

Discussion JOURNAL– Chapter 9 • Why does Philip not tell his father the truth about the track team? Is he telling himself the truth? What are some strategies you can think of to help him get along better with Miss Narwin?

Act Out– Chapter 10 -11 • The scene of the Star Spangled Banner. – Characters: Narwin, Philip, Todd Becker, another student, narrator/intercom • The scenes at dinner between Philip and his parents (combine the two into one) – Characters: Philip, Mrs. Malloy, Mr. Malloy, Narrator • A conversation in the teacher’s lounge to include conversations in these chapters – Characters: Narwin, Lunser, another two teachers • The second version of Philip’s and the SSB. – Characters: Narwin, Philip, two students, narrator/intercom

JOURNAL– C. 11 -12 • What does this book say about “sticking up for yourself”? Is this a biblical idea or not? Support your thoughts. • What pressures are Philip and Miss Narwin under at this point in the story? Are you under similar pressures? Explain. • What encouragement do they receive in this story? What kinds of encouragement have you had lately?

JOURNAL– Chapter 13 • Pop Quiz – open book. Why does Philip try to stop his father from calling Ted Griffin? What happens to the "truth" on p. 96 -99? How could this have been prevented? You have five minutes to answer. • With a partner: Write a list of 10 Rules We Should Have (But Don't). This could be funny.

5 Rules We Should Have (But Don’t) • 5. People who start speeches with “I’m so nervous” should immediately be thanked and ushered off the stage before they can bore us for the next 30 minutes. • 4. Children who walk around outside wearing socks should have to eat them for dinner. • 3. Students who mis-state the title of the book they are reading should get an automatic zero.

5 Rules (con’t) • 2. Teachers who discover more than three major errors in the first sentence of a fiveparagraph essay should be allowed to grade the paper based on the first sentence alone. • 1. People who holler the word “at” at the end of a sentence (as in “Where you AT? ”) should have their cell phones dropped into a toilet (they can get it back – if they want).

Discussion JOURNAL– Chapter 14 • Refer to the news article on p. 113. Are any of your opinions controlled by the news media - about President Obama or politics in general, about fashion, about sports or TV shows or movies, about anything? • What influences your opinions most? TV? Twitter? Your parents? Church? Your friends? Your awesome teachers?

Pop Quiz: Response Topics– Chapter 15 • Imagine that you have heard the Jake Barlow Talk Show. What do you think of Jake and his callers? Do you agree with their points of view? • Write a letter to Miss Narwin or Philip like the people in the story did.

JOURNAL– Chapters 17 -18 Miss Narwin tells the reporter, Mr. Duval, that people like to hear the worst and rarely seek out or talk about the best. Do you agree or disagree? Give some examples from your life and your story to support your opinion.

JOURNAL- End • Literary irony is when you don’t get what you expect or you as the reader know things the characters don’t know. In groups, discuss, then report out. ① In what ways did this story defy your expectations? ② What do you know that the characters don’t? Do you think you know the truth? ③ Is it fair or unfair? For whom? ④ What is ironic in particular about the last line of the story?

Group Talk – 15 points • Copy the question on your paper. • Write down different points that come up in your group discussion. • When discussion time is over, write the answer that you think is right and explain why. • Evaluate your group dynamics: – How well did you contribute? – List the members of your group and evaluate how well they contributed.

Classroom Discussion • Which character is most sympathetic? Rank the major characters from most to least sympathetic. • Give reasons for the rankings. • What would you have done to resolve Philip’s situation if you had been involved?

Classroom Discussion • The Harrison school district’s motto is “Where Our Children Are Educated, Not Just Taught. ” What does the motto mean, and what would a school need to do to live up to it?