ENTIRE Short Story Mini-Unit! "The Feather Pillow"--PDF, Editable DOCX, CCSS RL!

I have taught this story for more than 10 years. It's simply stupendous for teaching characterization, setting, mood and theme, because it is NOT subtle! In addition, the "twist ending" gets such a reaction that it stays with students and is physical enough for them in a way that works with ELLs.

This mini-unit uses many of the same graphic organizers and Cornell Note forms found in my literature-related products. You can get them all, INCLUDING this short story mini-unit, by clicking here. I will also add to that bundle often, so buying it now ensures better deals & more products later!

In the meantime, you can teach "The Feather Pillow" start to finish with this bundle's:

• Anticipation Guide
• Cornell-Notes-styled Vocabulary sheet that notes related prefixes and suffixes
• Two full-text versions of the story: one scaffolded for ELLs with notes on high-level portions, and one without the supports. Both versions have the corresponding vocabulary in bold and the letters that correspond to the Reading Questions marked (A-K).
• Reading Comprehension Questions: in both 2-per-page and digital forms
• Plot Anchor Chart with Literary Elements styled like a (Pre-) AP Major Works Data Sheet with space to break down the plot, theme, mood, genre, conflict, and characters on the front, as well as space to note compelling quotations and other information on the back (in digital form only, with answer key provided)
• Characterization Sheets: a one-page form with Characterization, Setting & Mood incorporated (best for higher-level or native-speaking students); and a board game version wherein you cut up the text evidence, give it to paired or grouped students, and have them put the evidence into categories:

- Either just separate into which phrases describe Alicia, and which described Jordan (easier); OR

- Use the indirect characterization and direct characterization game boards to have students discern which TYPE of characterization each phrase is an example of (for higher levels of students)

• Theme Graphic Organizer (digital form with answer key) to practice finding the theme in a systematic way with text evidence
• Theme Extension Activity: Written Paragraph--Template provided in both digital and printed forms
• ANSWER KEYS INCLUDED FOR: Theme graphic organizer & Plot Chart, including genre, conflict, and elements of plot, as well as tone, mood and theme.
• ANSWER KEYS NOT INCLUDED FOR: Reading Questions & Characterization & Setting worksheets. The answers are clear based on the paragraph where each question letter appears for the reading questions. I will probably add the Characterization answers eventually, but they, too, are evident in the text.
• A4 *and* Letter-size;
• Editable DOCX *and* digital or printable PDF forms of most texts. Printable forms of the plot anchor chart and theme graphic organizer are not provided yet but can be added upon request. Just let me know!

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

The entire mini-unit could take anywhere from 5 class periods to 2-3 weeks depending on the level of your students. Take 5-10 minutes to explore all the handouts; there are scaffolded versions of the short story itself; the Characterization & Setting handout; and several forms of the Characterization activities. In addition, you could give students the vocabulary sheet before they read the story, or to fill in as you go. It might be helpful to look over the materials ahead of time and consider your options.

Next, I have included a few notes on how to handle theme in this story in particular that relate to CCSS RL in grades 7 and 10 in terms of considering thematic elements in cultural contexts. There are many directions your discussion could take, and it may be worth reading more about Horacio Quiroga and his cultural heritage and tragic backstory--but that is not a necessity; just a way to deepen the curriculum. I myself had never realized what he endured until preparing these materials for sale, and I don't think it lessened their impact. Still, to really fulfill some of the high-school level standards, it is wise to incorporate cultural and historical context, and perhaps to add a bit about the story of Sleeping Beauty, which is alluded to in the text.