FrontPage  

 

 

https://scope.scholastic.com/sites/default/files/uploads_scope/pdfs/SCOPE-Archive-GiftOfTheMagi.pdf - The Gift of the Magi - SCOPE

 

 

http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html - The Gift of the Magi

 

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf - Gift of the Magi

 

 

http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f01/cs255students/bmaki/P11/giftofthemagi.pdf - Gift of the Magi

 

http://literalsystems.org/abooks/index.php/Audiobook/TheGiftOfTheMagi - Audio Podcast - Gift of the Magi

 

http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/holidays/Christmas/magi/magi_main.htm - Gift of the Magi Site

 

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides4/OHenry.html - Study Guide

 

 

http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/holidays/Christmas/magi/magi_main.htm - Gift of the Magi PPT STORY & Activities

 

 http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/holidays/Christmas/magi/GIft/quiz/Gift_of_the_Magi.htm - Gift of the Magi Quiz

 

http://www.quia.com/quiz/860599.html?AP_rand=1898987555 - Gift of the Magi  Quiz - QUIA

 

http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f01/cs255students/bmaki/P11/giftofthemagiquiz.pdf - Gift of the Magi - Final Quiz

 

http://www.quia.com/rr/390081.html - Gift of the Magi Test Review

 

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/course/course1/unit/shortstory.shtml - Short Story Plot map

 

http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f01/cs255students/bmaki/P11/giftofthemagiws.pdf - Gift of the Magi Questions

 

http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f01/cs255students/bmaki/P11/wordmeanings.pdf - New Word Vocabulary

 

 

http://jeopardylabs.com/play/the-gift-of-the-magi - Jeopardy Game

 

 

Reflection Questions

 

In this story, the first thing that O. Henry makes apparent is that Jim and Della are not people of means, in fact they seemed to be teetering on the very edge of poverty. Is it the particular time of the year that motivates them, and others like them, to spend beyond their means? Are the expectations of the gift-giving season really as powerful as they appear to be here?

“It’s the thought that counts.” This age-old adage is often quoted when something is given that may not quite measure up to the expectation. Does this adage apply in the case of Jim and Della and their gift giving? If so, how? If not, why not?

Jim and Della each made a selfless-sacrifice of something of great personal value in order to be able to secure for the other something they felt worthy of being called a gift. What role does selfless-sacrifice play in giving in general? Would you praise or blame Jim and Della’s selfless-sacrifices?

Given the reaction of both Jim and Della concerning the entire situation, do you think that these gifts were appreciated? Why or why not? How do you think you would react if you found yourself in a similar situation? What impact do you think this sort of selfless-sacrifice might have on a relationship between a giver and a recipient?

 

 

 

 

 

Authors often use the literary device of irony to enhance their writing and make it more enjoyable for their readers.  Before we begin reading our next selections, we will be doing a quick study of the technique of irony in writing.  What exactly is meant by irony?  There are 3 main types of irony that are common in literature. 

 

They are:  1.  verbal irony  

              *An author or character says something, but means something else.

                    *What is said is often the opposite of what is meant.

                         +The character is aware of the irony.

                         +The reader is aware of the irony.        

                2.  situational irony 

                 *What actually happens is not what is expected to happen.

                        *Situational irony often defies logic.

                           +the character does not expect the outcome

                           +the reader does not expect the outcome       

                3.  dramatic irony

                 *The reader knows something about the character's situation that the character does not know.

                             +the character is unaware of the situation

                             +the reader is aware of the situation

 

Activity #1--You will be working in small groups to watch a movie clip and respond.  The clip is a great (and classic--from The Twilight Zone) example of irony.  Watch it once together, then take a few minutes to discuss and answer the questions.  Continue going through the slide show and and discuss what you are seeing.  Be prepared to share with the whole group.  The clip can be found at the link below.

 

 

http://app.sliderocket.com/app/FullPlayer.aspx?id=02CE25D1-2056-59ED-4ECF-226458B505B0

 

 

 

Activity #2--Now that we have a better understanding for irony, we are going to listen to a song entitled "Ironic"  Listen carefully to the words and try to discover some of the examples of irony in the song.

 

audacity file ALANIS_MORISSETTE_-_ironic.mp3

 

Now, we are going to listen again, but this time while we follow along with the lyrics.  The link for the lyrics can be found here.  lyrics to ironic.doc

 

Visualize for Comprehension:  fold a piece of white paper into 4 equal sections.  Make a sketch that represents 4 examples of irony.  They can be examples from the video clip, pictures, or song.

 

 

Activity #3: 

     It is always a good idea to "set the stage" before we begin a new story or novel.  Good readers learn as much as they can about the setting and background of what they will be reading before they begin.  We are going to be focusing on the short story, "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.  O. Henry was born in 1862 and died in 1910.  His stories often reflect some of his life experiences and the time in which he lived.

     In order to gain better insight into this time period, each of you will be doing a Mini-Research activity.  You will be given time in class to work on it.  You will have both today and tomorrow to complete the assignment.  Below is a list of suggestions for your report.  Choose one of the following.

 

     1.  Research O. Henry's life.  What things did you learn about O. Henry and the time in which he lived?  Write your findings in a one-page report.  Be sure to proofread and edit your work.  Design a report cover. 

 

     2.  Write a children's book with illustrations explaining the life of O'Henry.  Write a forward in your book, explaining how O. Henry's experiences life influenced his writing.

 

     3.  Write a letter to a friend as though you were living during the late 1800s.  Tell your friend about recent inventions and changes in your life.  As you write, detail your experiences to display the information you have gathered about your topic.

 

     4.  Construct a time line of events of the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Remember to include only the important or big events in the time line.  For each event, draw a little picture or add a graphic and a brief summary of what happened.  Remember to place your events in the order in which they occurred.

 

     5.  Create an imaginary person who lived from 1862-1910.  Write a historical fiction story about this person and his/her experiences based on facts and events from that time period.

 

     6.  Make a newspaper that might have been written during 1862-1910.  Be sure to include news articles, sport reviews, local entertainment, letters to the editor, and weather information. 

 

     7.  Write a screenplay about a family that lived in the early 1900s. 

 

 

 

http://www.lsjunction.com/people/porter.htm

 

http://www.literaturecollection.com/a/o_henry/

 

http://www.bookrags.com/biography/o-henry/

 

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/childrens-lives/pdf/teacher_guide.pdf

 

http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/turns/theme.jsp?x=3&y=1

 

http://www.radford.edu/wkovarik/envhist/5progressive.html

 

http://www.wartgames.com/themes/american/progressiveera.html

 

 

Activity #4--We will begin reading The Gift of the Magi.  During our reading we will be stopping to record some of our "inner conversations" on post-it notes.  Remember:  Good readers question and wonder while they are reading.  Inner conversations are great at helping us comprehend what we are reading.  When we are finished reading, complete the attached question worksheet.  Please answer in a different color font.  Attach the document in the edmodo assignment for "The Gift of the Magi"

The Gift of the Magi comprehension questions.doc

 

 

Activity #5--Review for a Gift of the Magi Quiz  http://www.quia.com/rr/390081.html

 

Activity #6--"Gift of the Magi" Quiz 

     Click here for your quiz  http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/holidays/Christmas/magi/GIft/quiz/Gift_of_the_Magi.htm

 

      Click here for your quiz  http://www.quia.com/quiz/860599.html?AP_rand=1898987555

 

Gift of the Magi - Video Clips

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vS6O8YlMq0 - Video Clip - 15:00 Min

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STQvDUg6gqM - Video Clip - 15:24 Min

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNZquUneyTE - Video Clip