"Money Hungry" Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan for Money Hungry
Dominique Ferguson
Adolescent Literature
8th grade Language Arts: 90 minute block


Focus Statement:
This lesson will seek to engage students in discussion (SSSS LA 6.1.6.2) and activities based on the novel, Money Hungry, by Sharon Flake. Students will be engaged by open discussion of the novel focusing on major themes, their likes/dislikes and relevance of the novel. The instructor will ask questions like "was Raspberry’s mom right or wrong for throwing out the money? Was Mai right or wrong for mistreating her father? Did Raspberry have a right to take the money form Janae?" (SSSS L.A 6.1.7.3)
Using these questions, the instructor will guide the students in thinking critically. Students will also be encouraged to defend ideas and beliefs they originally opposed. This will help students to think about the novel in a reflective way instead of applying their own biases. Students will need to explain their points of view on the novel and defend what they believe (NL-ENG.K-12.4). The activities for this lesson will serve as reviews for the novel and prepare students for the reading quiz.
Theme and Thinking Skills
The specific themes that guide my lesson are critical thinking, comprehension and applying knowledge (NL-ENG.K-12.6). Instead of me telling the students what they should think I hope that they will think for themselves. I want students to recall information about the novel as well as decide in a reasonable, non-judgmental way, their beliefs about the novel. Students will be challenged intellectually, during class discussion, to think outside the box.
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Recall information from the novel
2. Explain major themes covered in the novel and the relevance of the novel (SSSS L.A.6.2.1.4/ L.A 6.1.7.2)
3. Evaluate text by applying comprehension skills (NL-ENG.K-12.3)

Procedures: (90 minute period)
1. Students will be given 30 minutes of silent reading at the beginning of the class period. Students were given 2 weeks to finish the novel in-class but there may be students who have not finished. This time will be used for that purpose. For those who have finished they may want to review by skimming through the book or may begin writing points/questions for the in-class discussion.
2. After silent reading the instructor will engage the students in an open-discussion of the novel lasting 15 minutes. The instructor will only serve as the facilitator of this discussion, prompting students to elaborate or “think outside the box” when necessary. If students are slow to respond instructor may need to lead discussion or at least get it started with the questions mentioned in Focus Statement.
3. After the discussion students will be asked to prepare a character sketch on their favorite character in the novel. Students will be given a handout (similar to the handout at this web address: http://etc.usf.edu/flstandards/la/new-pdfs/points-6.pdf) and asked to be as creative as possible. Each sketch should be at least 9 sentences long. This activity will be 25 minutes long. If activity takes students a shorter time then they may read sketches aloud to class.
4. After sketches are done and turned in students will be given a reading quiz (formal assessment and answer key included). They will be given 20 minutes to complete the quiz.
5. After the quiz students will be asked to write a poem about money for homework. This activity will serve as a branch to our next lesson on poetry.
Assessment:

1. What is Raspberry’s greatest obsession? (a)
a. money
b. marrying Sato
c. cars
d. working for Odd Job

2. What does Janae stuff in her clothes? (c)
a. coins
b. her cell phone
c. perfumed cotton balls
d. Ming’s phone number

3. Who is the author of Money Hungry? (c)
a. Raspberry Hill
b. Toni Morrison
c. Sharon Flake
d. Sharonda Flake
4. What nationality is Mai’s father? (b)
a. African
b. Korean
c. Japanese
d. Caucasian

5. In a rage, what does Raspberry’s mother do with Raspberry’s money? (c)
a. Spend it
b. Give it to charity
c. Throw it out the window
d. Throw it in the lake

6. In a brief essay choose a major theme in Money Hungry and explain the way it shapes the novel and the character or characters it affects.

Sample Response:
Fear is a major theme in “Money Hungry”. Raspberry Hill is afraid being homeless and broke and Janae is afraid that people will think she smells. Because the characters have allowed these fears to consume them they do crazy things.
Raspberry is afraid of being homeless so she is very obsessed with money. She hides it all around her room and will do anything legal to get it. She even goes so far as to sell rotten candy to her classmates. Janae is a big girl and because of this she assumes people will think she smells. She is so afraid of this that she stuffs perfumed cotton balls in her clothes so that she always smells good. It shapes the novel because it forces the reader to understand why the characters behave the ways they do. We are given both an inside and outside view of these character’s lives. For example, If the reader was not told about Raspberry’s past we would be judgmental of her money fears or not understand it as much. Fear is an awful thing and if unchecked it can turn into an unhealthy obsession.

Sources, Materials and Accommodations
1. Money Hungry By Sharon Flake (class set)
2. Character Sketch Handouts (one per student)
3. Reading Quiz (one per student)
For ESOL students, the accommodations will be as follows:
1. Character Sketches: at least 5 sentences in length.
2. Reading Quiz: I will read questions aloud and the essay question will be: Who is your favorite Money Hungry character and why?
For students with special needs:
Necessary changes will be made to lesson to accommodate any ESE students.