nitrohsA1

EVA
by Peter Dickinson

Title: Climbing the Tree

Grade Level: 9 - 10

Subjects: English, Social Studies, Science

Learner Outcomes: Students will be able to:

identify some social issues explored in the book
relate the reading to current events in news and media
summarize the events that have occurred in the story in a chronological order

Time Frame: one to two 90-minute classes with reading and minor research completed by students ahead of time

Materials:

text, Eva by Peter Dickinson
newspaper and magazine articles
short reading check quiz
chalkboard and chalk or flip chart paper and markers

Technology Tools/Courseware:

Internet-ready computer
browser
word processor
printer

Teacher Notes:

This lesson was written with the expectation that students will have completed independent reading of the novel on which it is based.
If research is to be done in school, students having access to computers and Internet connection must have signed Acceptable Use Agreements and/or parental permission slipon file at school.

Procedures:
Before coming to class, students are to have read the book Eva by Peter Dickinson. Students are to gather three articles on current issues related to the book. This may be done prior to class or during class time at teacher discretion. (If so, please add at least one class period for the research.) The articles are to have documentation information included but not necessarily in proper MLA format.
1. Students will complete a quick reading check quiz on their knowledge and understanding of basic events of the story.
2. Working in pairs, students will identify social, scientific,ehthical, and environmental issues that they have found in the novel. One member of each pair will list their ideas on paper and the other will add to the list on the chalkboard or flip chart paper.

NOTE: If you wish to record points for bringing the news articles to class as assigned, collect them at the beginning of class and record scores during the quiz and/or pair discussion activity. Return these articles before the next activity, as students will need to use them.

3. While still in pairs, students will discuss the articles they have found and relate them to the issues the class has identified and listed on the board or flip chart paper. Students will be called at random to report to the whole class concerning an article discussed with their partners.

NOTE: Students or the teacher should save these articles for later use in a related lesson.

4. Large-group discussion of the story's theme, characters, setting, and and stated or implied issues found in the book will serve as a review and as prewriting before they begin their personal response essay .
5. Students will then write a short impromptu essay on their personal reactions to the story of Eva and the predictions it makes for society and our global environment.

Modifications: Lesson can be modified according to individual IEPs such as use of audio books or large-print text editions. (Information on ordering these types of material should be available from your library or Amazon.com)

Enrichment activities: Motion pictures have explored similar issues. Films such as Gorillas in the Mist or Project X could be shown in part or in their entirety. Other books such as Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle or A Conversation with Koko by Dr. Francine Patterson could also be read and discussed.

Evaluation/Assessment:

quiz on the basic understanding of story
submission of articles related to issues from the story
discussion of story and preliminary research
teacher observation of student participation and quality of discussion
completion of a personal response paper

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives (IGOs):
Science:
    Nature of Science 9.3, 9.4, 10.1, B.1
    Scientific Attitudes 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, B.5, B.6, B.7
    Laboratory Investigations 9.19, 10.19, 10.26, 10.33, B.19, B.20
    Science Content and Themes 9.72, 9.79, 10.70, 10.80, B.28, B.33
    Science, Technology, and Society 9.96, 10.88, B.37, B.38
    Computer/Technology 9.103, 9.104, 9.105, 9.106, 10.94, 10.95, 10.96,          10.97, B.42, B.43, B.44, B.45, B.46, B.47

Social Studies:
    Civics- 9.9 9.11, 9.15, 10.3,10.4, C.5,C.20,C.21
     Geography-9.29, 9.34
    Compters/Technology-9.51, 10.63

English:
    Listening and Speaking 9.1, 9.7, 9.10, 9.11, 10.1, 10.3, 10.4, 10.8
    Reading Comprehension 9.12, 9.16, 9.19, 9.21, 9.22, 9.24, 9.25, 9.31, 10.12, 10.16, 10.19, 10.22, 10.23, 10.24, 10.29, 10.30, 10.31, 10.32
    Reading Vocabulary 9.34, 9.34, 10.34, 10.35, 10.37
    Writing Skills 9.39, 9.40, 9.43, 9.44, 9.47, 9.51, 10.39, 10.40, 10.41, 10.43, 10.44, 10.51
    Language 9.65, 9.68, 10.70
    Study Skills 9.75, 9.84, 9.86, 10.77, 10.85, 10.86
    Computers/Technology 9.90, 9.92, 10.81, 10.83

National Standards:
Science 4, 5, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16
Social Studies: Behavioral Studies Standards - 1, 2, 3, 4
English 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

References:
Dickinson, Peter. Eva. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1988.

Created by:

Judy Gillian
Tracey Hall
Jeanie Robinson
Nitro High School

Lesson 1
Go Climb a Tree Lesson 2
Going Ape! Lesson 3
Information Safari Lesson 4
INTLPop Lesson 5
Bungle in the Jungle