The things they carried

1. The things they carried Ashley Lamb-Sinclair

2. November 9-10, 2015 • View National Geographic documentary to gain contextual knowledge of the Vietnam War • While viewing, complete the table below to understand the multiple perspectives on the war

3. November 11, 2015—Happy Veteran’s Day! • Warm Up: Use your table from the documentary viewing to respond to the following questions— • With which perspective do you most relate and why? • Why is it important to acknowledge multiple perspectives on an important event or issue? • Anticipation guide and discussion • Individual and Partner Activity—What does what we carry imply about who we are? • Individual Reflection and Book Assignment • Begin chapter 1 if time remains

4. November 12, 2015 • Read Chapter 1 together while completing graphic organizer

5. November 16, 2015 • Warm up: Answer the following response questions for chapter 1 on a blank page in your notebook. Chapter 1: “The Things They Carried” 1. In the list of all the things the soldiers carried, what item was most surprising? Which item did you find most evocative of the war? Which items stay with you? 2. In what sense does Jimmy love Martha? Why does he construct this elaborate, mostly fictional, relationship with her: What does he get out of it? 3. Why do the soldiers tell jokes about the war, about killing? 4. How is the idea of weight used and developed in the story? How do you, as a reader, feel reading those lists of weight? What effect does it have on you? 5. How has Jimmy changed by the end of the story? How will he be a different person from this point on? What has he learned about himself? Or to put it another way, what has he lost and what has he gained?

6. November 17, 2014 • Warm up: Read the Facebook post from Isobel Bowdery—a firsthand account of the Paris massacre—answer the following: Which of the quotes from chapter 1 most connect to the description in the post and why? Explain how the quote relates to the narrative in the post. • “They carried their own lives. The pressures were enormous.” • “It was very sad, he thought. The things men carried inside. The things men did or felt they had to do.” • “They carried the common secret of cowardice barely restrained, the instinct to run and freeze and hide, and in many respects this was the heaviest burden of all, for it could never be put down, it required perfect balance…” • Discussion of warm up and chapter 1 • Partner quote analysis • Independent quote visual • Share

7. November 18, 2014 • Warm up: • Read chapters 2 and 3 while completing comprehension questions • Discussion

8. November 19, 2014 • Warm up: What is your definition of courage? Explain. • Read and discuss chapter 4—considering the concept of COURAGE • Discuss • Read and discuss “Quiescent Objector” • Make a claim and use the book and/or the article as support for your claim • Share/discuss

9. November 20, 2014 • Warm up: • Read “Enemies” and “Friends” • Complete comprehension questions and activity?

10. November 23, 2014 • Warm up: • Read “A True War Story” • Complete comprehension questions and activity?