Heroes among Us

1. Heroes among Us Mini Lessons

2. “The Dinner Party” • naturalist – one who studies living things by observing them directly • arresting – striking, getting attention • rafter – a wooden beam that supports a roof • spirited – lively, vigorous • sober – serious, solemn • verandah – a long covered porch along the side of a building

3. “A Running Brook of Horror” vocabulary • dexterity-skill or grace in using the hands • impunity-freedom from injury or punishment • invulnerable-impossible to hurt • provocation-something that irritates or stirs to action • reverently-in a way that shows awe and respect

4. “The Tigers and the Sharks” vocabulary • fray – to separate the threads at the edge of cloth or thread • yoke . . . rudders - steering controls of a plane • staccato – a series of short rapid sounds • implacably – not possible to please, satisfy or change • optimum – the best or most favorable amount • jettison – to throw cargo overboard to lighten the load in distress • fuselage – the central, tube-shaped portion of a plane • lurched – a sudden swaying or rolling motion • sporadic – not frequent, occasional

5. Mini Lesson #___ “The Tigers and the Sharks,” by Edward Stafford Peary GQ: What literary devices does Peary use to enrich his writing?

6. Foreshadowing *early clues to future events in the plot “ . . . No flight across an ocean is ever really routine. . . .”

7. Metaphors • Comparisons without using “like” or “as” • “…man’s incredible conquest of time and distance still hangs on the twin threads of mechanical reliability and human skill . . . one of the threads . . .began to fray . . .“

8. Similes • Comparisons using “like” or “as” • “…like a slowly moving star ...“ • “ …like the clang of an alarm bell in the mind of Gin and Machado …” • “…like riding the back of a dying whale…”

9. Personification • Giving human qualities to non-human figures • “…number three engine coughed…” • “…the dark face of the sea…” • “…the long electronic fingers of radar groped for them through the darkness…” • “the breathy whisper of the sea breeze…"

10. “Up the Slide,” vocabulary • defied – challenged • exhausted – to tire completely • thoroughly – completely • manifestly – clearly • descent – the act of climbing down • “ere” – shortened form of “before” • precipitate – hasty, too fast • exertion – energetic activity, effort • maneuver – series of planned steps • ascent – the act of climbing or rising

11. “Up the Slide,” continued • He felt completely ready for the climb. • His upward journey began at dawn. • Trembling from effort, he collapsed. • By noon, he felt surprisingly tired. • The downward journey was even more difficult. • Eventually, he devised a new strategy that he called “controlled sliding.” • The strategy was clearly successful as he arrived back feeling alert and not at all tired.

12. Mini Lesson #___ “Up the Slide,” By: Jack London GQ: What literary devices does London use to enrich his writing?

13. Allusion • a historical or literary reference made to characters, settings, events, etc. not mentioned otherwise in the text. • “ . . . It was a herculean task, but it was the only way out of the predicament. . . ” • [The mythological Greek figure Hercules was known for his great strength and for performing a series of 12 challenging tasks. A herculean task extraordinarily difficult]

14. Mini Lesson #__“Thank You, M’am” By: Langston Hughes GQ: What literacy devices does Hughes use to enrich his writing?

15. Exaggeration • Stretching the truth for emphasis • “…a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails…” • Shows her inner strength, independence, and self-reliance

16. irony • The opposite of what is expected actually happens • The purse snatcher is dragged home by his intended victim

17. theme • The underlying message or insight about life that the passage communicates • Caring people—even strangers—can help teach children how to act.

18. “Raymond’s Run” vocabulary • clutch – to grasp tightly • periscope – a tube shaped viewing device such as is used on a submarine • prodigy – a person with an exceptional talent • sidekick – a close friend • relay – a race in which teammates take turns to complete the race • “big head” – an insensitive reference to “hydrocephalus,” an enlarged skull • “Mercury” – a reference to the Roman messenger god • “Chopin’s waltzes” – musical pieces composed by 19th century pianist, Frederic Chopin (pronounced show-pan) • glockenspiel – musical instrument made of bars and played with light hammers

19. “Raymond’s Run,” continued • Squeaky thinks one of her classmates is a ____ because the girl is so talented. • The quarter-mile ___ is the next race for Squeaky and her partner. • Cynthia was nervously ___ her blouse. • Mary Louise always tags along with Gretchen as her ___. • Mr. Pearson was so tall he did not need a ___ to look above the crowd.

20. Mini Lesson #___“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara GQ: What literary devices does Bambara use to enrich her writing?

21. Exaggeration • Deliberate overstatement • “…I’m the fastest thing on 2 feet…” • “…There is no track meet that I don’t win…” • “I’m the swiftest thing in the neighborhood…”

22. Allusion • A reference to a character from history or literature for comparison purposes • “Mercury” – the Roman messenger god • speed • “Beanstalk” – the fairy tale element • height

23. Similes • Comparisons using “like” or “as” • “like it was a narrow escape” • “like a rodeo pony” • “like a dog” • “like a periscope in a submarine movie”

24. Sarcasm • A character says the exact opposite of their true feelings • “…a real prodigy…”

25. sedan – an enclosed vehicle with a permanent top parapet – a low wall around a roof’s edge robust – strong, vigorous, healthy resolute – determined stolid – having or expressing little or no feeling domain – territory contemplate – to consider with careful, thoughtful attention awe – with great respect shrewd- clever laborious – requiring great effort inert – unable or slow to move, act or react desecrated – to show great disrespect esoteric – hard to understand wavered – to go back and forth between choices frenzied – wildly excited or upset cascaded – to spill over in a waterfall fashion “Antaeus,” vocabulary

26. Mini Lesson #___“Antaeus,” by Borden Deal GQ: What literary devices does Deal use to enrich his writing?

27. Allusion • A figure of speech or an expression that makes a casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event • My mother has the patience of Job. • He made a Herculean effort for the ball. • Harriet Tubman was known as the Moses of her people. • Antaeus: a giant in Greek mythology who became stronger each time he touched the Earth

28. Theme • The life-lesson demonstrated by the text • Stated directly: “…The task of destruction is infinitely easier than that of creation…”

29. The Gift of the Magi,”vocabulary • predominating – taking the most importance • subsiding – to become quiet or settled • vestibule – entranceway • coax- to persuade gently • prosperity – a time of wealth • ransacking – searching thoroughly • fob- a chain used to hold a pocket watch • chaste – pure • prudence – good judgment • discreet –showing good judgment • scrutiny – a close inspection • coveted – to wish for greatly • ardent - passionate

30. Mini Lesson #___“The Gift of the Magi,”by: O. Henry GQ: What literary device does Henry use to enrich his writing?

31. Allusion • A reference to a character from history or literature for comparison purposes • “the magi”  The Bible: the three wise men who brought precious gifts to the baby Jesus

32. Irony • The outcome is exactly the opposite of what’s expected • Della and Jim sacrifice their most cherished possessions for each other and in doing so “spoil” each other’s surprise gift • {Jim sells his watch so he can’t use the watch chain and Della sells her long hair so she can’t use the hair combs.}

33. infinite – endless brisk – quick in manner loitering – lingering without purpose placidly – calmly, peacefully acquiescent – agreeing without protest Antonyms: brisk: clever, curt, slow infinite: endless, limited, tiny loitering: littering, dawdling, moving acquiescent: watery, dull, argumentative placidly: turbulently, nicely, meanly “A Christmas Day in the Morning,” vocabulary

34. Mini Lesson #___“A Christmas Day in the Morning,” by: Pearl S. Buck GQ: What literary device does Buck use to enrich her writing?

35. Flashback • A scene within a story that interrupts the sequence of events to relate events that occurred in the past • Allows a writer to present 2 different time frames simultaneously • Enables readers to compare and contrast the present and past • [Robert, who is now a grandfather, recalls an experience as a 15 year old that has given special meaning to Christmas since then.]