First, fourth, and sixth periods are starting a unit on The Diary of Anne Frank. As such, we had an anticipatory lesson today, drawing on students’ prior knowledge of the Holocaust and making it personal through a series of reflective writing exercises. To do this, we looked at a slide show I created about the Holocaust, starting from the rise of the Nazis and ending with some photos I took in 2005 during my own visit to Auschwitz.

Walling up the Ghetto

Working

Leaving the Ghetto

Electrified Barbed Wire

Second period discussed Tom’s testimony in To Kill a Mockingbird. We also looked specifically at his character and how he is drawn: direct versus indirect characterization. Other students examined the character Dolphus Raymond and what we learn about him directly and indirectly.

Homework

• First, fourth, and sixth periods: complete the reflection exercise we began in class.
• Second period: complete the types of characters handout.