A Teaching Guide for Those interested in teaching monkey beach

A Teaching Guide for Those interested in teaching monkey beach

1. New Text Pitch for ENG3U
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2. AGENDA
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•Introduction of the new text
•Outlines of two activities
•Rich performance task
•Expectations and rubric
•Q&A

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https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/course-descriptions-and-prerequisites/english
ENG3U COURSE DESCRIPTION
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This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills
necessary for success in academic and daily life.

Students will analyze challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures, as well as a range of
informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms.

An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and incorporating stylistic devices
appropriately and effectively.

The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 university or college preparation course.
INTRODUCTION

4. INTRODUCTION
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•Rich literary techniques and conventions
•Resilient female protagonist
•General theme of family dynamics
•Canadian
•Coming-of-age novel
•Follows teenager Lisamarie as she searches for her
missing brother
•Uses lyrical prose and shifting timelines
•Themes of identity, family connection, belonging, teen
culture
•Introduces Haisla culture and beauty of British Columbia

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR
WHAT I SELECTED

5. INTRODUCTION…continued
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•Three-dimensional, resilient, sensitive female
protagonist
•Strong narrative techniques and literary
devices
•Engages students with blend of reality and
supernatural
•2020 film adaptation allows for analysis of
two media types
RATIONALE FOR MONKEY BEACH

6. ACTIVITY 1: PRE-READING
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Objective: Students will engage in inquiry-based learning by analyzing the novel's blurb and
generating questions that encourage independent research into key themes and concepts in
Monkey Beach.

Step 1 -10 min
In pairs, read the blurb and discuss
following questions:
-What questions does the blurb raise?
-What do you know about supernatural?
-Have you read a novel about Indigenous
culture yet?
-What predictions can you make?
-What role does geography have?
-What excites you about the blurb?
Step 3 – 20 min
With a piece of paper, pencils, and
coloured pencils, students respond to one
of the inquiries by visually organizing their
thoughts and compiling research through a
mindmap.

Students can break down complex topics
into smaller, manageable parts.
Step 2 – 20 min
Still working in pairs, use online resources
to learn about one a specific inquiry
Inquiries could be:
-What is the role of oral traditions in Haisla
culture?
-How does storytelling contribute to
healing?
-How do supernatural beliefs function in
different cultures?
Step 4 – 10 min
Pairs of students share their work
and discuss their findings and
results from the activity.

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8. ACTIVITY 2: NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE EXPLORATION
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Objective: Students will analyze how the author’s use of narrative structure creates
suspense and deepens the emotional impact of the story.
Step 1 – 20 min
Students are provided with a section of the text that showcases the novel's non-linear structure.
Individually, students highlight and annotate the shifting timeline (flashbacks, memories, sudden
time jumps) and note their thoughts on the impact.
Step 3 – 20 min
Students discuss how the shifting timelines and use of memories affect the reader's understanding of the story
and Lisamarie's development.
Step 2 - 25 min
In groups, students use chart paper and markers to map out the non-linear timeline of Monkey Beach, noting key
events and their narrative order.
General guideline to think about:
How does the novel’s non-linear structure influence the way we understand Lisa?

9. PERFORMANCE TASK
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1.Watch the 2020 film adaptation
2.Compare how a key theme, symbol or event is depicted
3.Present findings via podcast, presentation, poster, essay, multimedia

10. CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS & RUBRIC
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Media Studies
•Comparing novel and film allows students to
analyse different techniques in each medium

•Creative aspect encourages students to engage in
media production allowing them to express their
analysis
Writing
•Developing and organising content
•Using knowledge of form and style
•Applying knowledge of conventions

11. Q&A
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