GOAL:
To analyze the point of view from which this story is told
ASSIGNED READING:
Chapter 7
WRITING PROMPT:
Why are Momma and Dad so angry about Byron's hair?
Do you think that Dad's punishment of Byron is fair? Why?
How does Kenny feel about what happens to Byron? How do you think Byron feels about it?
What do you predict will happen as a result of "Byron's Latest Adventure"?
ONLINE PROMPT:
Use the Student Comment Form to share ideas and questions with your online peers.
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Review point of view with the class. Remind students that a story may be told from the first-person or the third-person point of view. If a narrator takes part in the action of the story and refers to himself or herself as "I," the story is told from the first-person point of view. If the narrator is outside the story and does not refer to himself or herself at all, the story is told from the third-person point of view. Have students determine whether The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 is told from the first-person or the third-person point of view and explain why.
Explain that the narrator's opinions and feelings about the events that take place in a story are another important aspect of point of view. Suggest that they think about Kenny's attitude toward the events that happen in Chapter 7.
During community share, return to your discussion of point of view by asking students to comment on Kenny's feelings about what happens to Byron in Chapter 7. Lead them to the conclusion that he finds By's situation humorous. Then ask them how this scene would have been described if Byron, Momma, Dad, or Joey were the narrator. What things would have been the same, and what would have been different?
You may want to explore with students the issue of why Momma and Dad are so upset about Byron's hair. If any of them have written in their logs about this issue, ask them to share their thoughts. Help them understand that Byron's parents see his new hairstyle as a rejection of his African American identity. Momma is very angry, but she also reveals how hurt and offended she is when she asks By, "Did those chemicals give you better-looking hair than me and your daddy and God gave you?"
Students may not understand why Dad calls Byron "Yul Watson" after shaving his head. Tell them that Yul Brynner was a famous actor who played the King of Siam in the Broadway musical The King and I. He played this role with a shaved head.
Click to go to Lesson 6.
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