Introduction
Have you ever lied? Or have you ever tried to cover up your lie with something that sounded like the truth? What happened when someone found out? Did anyone try to take your side of things? Did anyone ever find out the real truth about what you lied about? Most importantly, did anyone get hurt over what you lied about?
In the book Nothing But the Truth by Avi, we are going to find out what happens when not telling the truth affects more than just the person who is lying. You will see how one simple choice can destroy relationships, future plans, and also personal credibility. You will also discover how respect, teamwork, and integrity are easily damaged if a person does not show appreciation for the privilege of being a part of a community.
As a class reading this book, we will also discuss some of the implications surrouding ideas presented in this book- in particular free speech, patriotism, and the 1st Amendement.
Task
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1) 1) Before reading the book, think about the title of the book. Brainstorm some ideas about where you might have heard the phrase “Nothing but the truth” before. Come up with two to four places where you might have heard (or think you might hear) someone use that statement. Think about why the truth was so important to be heard in the place that you thought up. You will be divided into groups to complete this task.
2) 2) As a class we will read the book. After each chapter, we will do a “think-pair-share”:
a. Students “think” about what has happened in the chapter.
b. Students “pair” together to decide what will happen next.
c. Students “share” their thoughts about what should happen next and discuss why they believe it should happen.
3) 3) After reading the story, students will work in pairs to come up with a conclusory story that describes the fate of Phillip Malloy and Margaret Narwin.
5) 4) Social Connection: Patriotism (being faithful to one’s country) and free speech are central themes to this story as well. Students will participate in a discussion exercise that determines if Phillip’s or Ms. Narwin’s rights were violated in any way and, if so, what could be done to remediate (fix) the violations of those rights. Students will then write a short 2 paragraph report that summarizes news story that deals with 1st Amendment violations and if the student believes that the person in the story actually had his 1st Amendent rights violated.
Process
Nothing But The Truth Pre-Reading Activity
I have separated you into groups of three and four to complete this activity. Decide where you might hear (or have heard) the phrase “nothing but the truth. Discuss with your group partners where the phrase “nothing but the truth” appears. In the boxes below, write out:
- Where was the phrase used (or could be used)?
- What was happening when the phrase was used (what was the context in where the phrase was used)?
- Why was it necessary to use the phrase?
Come up with 2 to 4 examples.
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Where was the phrase used (or could be used)? |
What was happening when the phrase was used (what was the context in where the phrase was used)? |
Why was it necessary to use the phrase?
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Nothing But The Truth Think-Pair-Share
For each chapter read, you are to come up with a brief statement on what has happened and predict what is going to happen next. Support your prediction with evidence from the story (in other words, what is happening in the story that makes you believe your prediction will happen?)
You are required to write at least one sentence with at least 10 words for each question.
Student pair names: _________________ & ______________________
Name of Chapter: _____________________________________________
Recall:
What has happened in the chapter we read in class today?
Predict
Now that you have thought about what has happened, what do you expect to happen next?
Explain:
What led to your prediction? For example, a particular event in the story, something one of the characters had said, or a personal experience you feel can relate to the events within the story?
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Nothing But The Truth…the rest of the story (according to you)
Now that we have finished reading the story, it is time to decide what else is in store for Phillip Malloy and Margaret Narwin. To accomplish this task, you will be separated into pairs.
Come up with a title to your story. You may involve any other character from the story; however, your story must involve Phillip and Miss Narwin in some way. You do not have to follow the story from the moment the novel ended—you can pick up the story years later should you decide to do it that way. However, your story must have some logical following from the events that happened in the novel.
A good story would be one notebook page. You and your partner should agree on what should happen and work together to write the story.
When you are done, be prepared to read the story to the rest of the class.
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Nothing But The Truth Social Connection: The 1st Amendment
Two of the ideas expressed in Nothing But The Truth were the practice of free speech and also expression of patriotic attitudes in school. In the United States, free speech is a constitutional right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. However, arguments have come up against how free speech is exercised—some people believe that while free speech is a right it is not a right to simply have free speech just anywhere—these people believe that free speech only belongs in specific places or at specific times. Other people believe that free speech should not include unpatriotic slogans or actions—flag burning, for instance, is a hotly debated topic on whether or not such action is covered under the 1st Amendment.
As a discussion exercise, talk about a time in where a person’s rights conflicted with the 1st Amendment. You may refer to news stories or a personal experience that you had.
Writing Assignment: Do a web search for a story that a person’s 1st Amendment rights were either violated or were thought to be violated. Write 2 paragraphs—one paragraph that summarizes the story you found and another paragraph on if you agree or disagree if the person’s 1st Amendment rights were violated. Your paragraphs should have a minimum of 5 sentences each.
Your first paragraph should include:
- · Who was involved?
- · What happened that was a violation of 1st Amendment rights?
- · Where did it happen? (City and state)
- · When did it happen?
- · Why did the violation come about?
Your second paragraph should include:
- · Whether or not you agree that the person’s 1st Amendment rights were violated
- · Why do you agree or disagree the person’s 1st Amendment rights were violated?
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Evaluation
Nothing But The Truth Pre-Reading Activity (5 pts)
- Students provided at least 2, but no more than 4, examples: 5 pts
Nothing But The Truth Think-Pair-Share (5 pts)
- Students provided a sentence of at least 10 words for each portion of the Think-Pair-Share activity:
- Recall: 1 pt
- Predict: 1 pt
- Explain: 3 pts
Nothing But The Truth…the rest of the story (according to you) (15 pts)
- Story was at least one notebook page: 5 pts
- Story has a title: 2 pts
- Story has a logical progression from the ending of Nothing But The Truth: 4 pts
- Story uses Phillip Malloy and Margaret Narwin: 4 pts
Nothing But The Truth Social Connection: The 1st Amendment (25 pts)
- Student participated in the discussion: 5 pts
- Student’s writing assignment has 2 paragraphs: 5 pts
- Student’s paragraph has at least 5 sentences: 5 pts
- Student’s first paragraph includes who, what, when, where, and why as described in the assignment: 5 pts
- Student’s second paragraph takes a position and explains why the student took the position: 5 pts
Total Points: 50 pts
Conclusion
You have read and analyzed a novel by brainstorming about the context of the novel and making predictions about what should happen after the events in the novel took place. You have also written a story that follows the story of Phillip Malloy and Margaret Narwin that examines what might have happened after the conclusion of the story. You have also made connections between the novel and real-life events.
Your discussion and activities in this Webquest were meant to prepare you for future activities. involving analyzing what you have read. You will encounter activities as this further along in your educational career; reflect on this activity as an opportunity that will help you along in the future with literary analysis.