What Does Success Look Like?
Scholars understand how Jackson conveys the dangers of tradition in “The Lottery.” They explain how individuals’ desire to conform can lead them to commit violent and inhumane acts.
Seminar 3:
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
Do Now — 10 minutes
- Show an exemplary Exit Ticket from the previous seminar to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes it exemplary. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they will apply to their revisions.
- Scholars revise their Exit Tickets from the previous seminar based on the feedback you gave them.
Launch — 2 minutes
- Build excitement for today’s seminar by telling scholars that they will read the famous short story, “The Lottery.” As they read the novel’s opening paragraphs, they should envision the setting and characters Jackson is introducing.
Read and Discuss 1 — 30 minutes
Read:
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- Read or play a recording: Paragraphs 1–27
Discuss:
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- Scholars discuss the following questions in pairs: Describe the setting. What mood does it create? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
- If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What does the black box reveal about the villagers’ views on tradition?
Read:
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- Read or play a recording: Paragraphs 28–82
Discuss:
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- Scholars discuss the following questions in pairs: How are the villagers acting when they draw their paper? Based on their reactions, what might the purpose of the lottery be? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
- If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: Why does the author point out that “someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles”? (paragraph 79). What message is she trying to convey to the reader?
Write — 10 minutes
Write an essay of no more than 200 words:
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- Based on the ending, what is a theme of this story? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.
Wrap-up — 5 minutes
- Show an exemplar essay to scholars. Have scholars discuss what makes the claim clear and compelling. Have scholars articulate the transferable takeaway from the work study that they need to apply to their own work moving forward.
Read and Discuss 2 — 25 minutes
Independent Reading (10 minutes):
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- Scholars reread paragraphs 1–9.
Discuss:
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- Scholars discuss the following question in pairs: What is the significance of the setting? Why did the author choose this setting? Call on pairs to share out. Insist that scholars back up their claims with evidence from the text.
- If scholars nailed the previous question, ask: What do the names of the various villagers symbolize?
Exit Ticket — 8 minutes
Write an essay of no more than 200 words:
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- Why is the title of the story, “The Lottery,” ironic? Justify your argument with at least two concrete pieces of evidence from the text.
