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Why do we do what we do?

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Themes in the House of the Scorpion :

During this novel, we will discuss and evaluate the themes and issues: Coming of Age, Human
Rights, Personal Ethics, Value of Life, Responsibility of Society, and… Please, in your reading, look
for these.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
By: You should read:
1. Oct. 7,8 1. Ch. 1-5
2. Oct. 9,13 2. Ch. 6-8
3. Oct. 14,15 3. Ch. 9-11
4. Oct. 16,20 +** 4. Ch. 12-14
5. Oct. 21,22 5. Ch. 15-18
6. Oct. 23,27 6. Ch. 19-21
7. Oct. 28,29 7. Ch. 22-24
8. Oct. 30,31 +** 8. Ch. 25-28
9. Nov. 3,4 9. Ch. 29-32
10. Nov. 5,6 10. Ch. 33-35
11. Nov. 7,10** 11. Ch. 36-38
12. Nov. 12,13 12. Review
13. Nov. 14,17 13. FINAL TEST(including all Vocab )
**Journal Due 120 points
+Vocab Quiz
INSTRUCTIONS: Here is a brief explanation. On the following pages is further explanation.
1. Reading Response Log: (100 pts.)
a. In addition to simply reading these pages, you also need to take notes, in varying
forms, on the reading and your responses to it. Explained on the back of this page.
2. Vocabulary (60 points) Assignment to be determined by next week
—Set 1(20)-- desolate, rivulet, shimmer, bewilder, antibiotic, disconsolate, appalling, wither, gloat,
rummage, contemplate, instinctive, disarray, delusion, murmur, revulsion, loathe, lout, coax, coarse Set
2 (20)-- vigorous, ravenous, permeate, stagnant, convent, pungent, indignation, malevolence, creosote,
reproach, valiant, octave, silhouette, stifle, grimace, sham, awestruck, mulish, forlorn, sheepish Set
3(20)—lavish, preened, incessant, communal, purgatory, morosely, muck, cavernous, laudanum,
aristocrat, lackey, infirmary, stammer, exhort, etch, wallow, seethe, exasperate, mausoleum, encrusted
3. Articles/Short Stories. (20 pts. Extra Credit) After you have read half the novel, read
three pieces from the article/short story folder. I have these so you need to ask me for them
4. Journal activities. (60 pts.) I will collect these on Oct. 16/20, Oct. 30/31, Nov. 12/13;
for this reason, it is important for you to stay on track with your reading and reading response
journals.
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Reading Response Log (Required) (100 pts)
As we read the House of the Scorpion you will take notes. Taking notes is an essential skill that is
necessary to be a good student. It is a skill that you will be using your entire life, no matter what
you find yourself doing for work. With novels it is often good to highlight or mark in the margins,
but since you don’t own these books that is not an option. I am going to offer you some sheets that
will help you organize your notes as there are many ways to keep and organize information.

1. You will need to have ten (10) entries by the end of the book. You will need to have all of
these done on time to use them on the quizzes or tests.
2. In your notes, you should include:
a. Notes on major events, characters, central ideas, themes, your thoughts
AND ESPECIALLY ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE READING.
b. Either a summary or some type of hint at what has happened in the chapters
c. Something, or some things, you learned or realized.
4.Your notes, ideas, observations, questions, etc. will be the basis for our class discussion. Each
day your letters will be checked to verify that they were completed on time. IF YOU MISS A
DAY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THE LETTERS FOR THE PREVIOUS
READING, AS WELL AS THE CURRENT READING UPON RETURNING TO CLASS.
At the conclusion of the unit, you will turn in all of your notes for credit.

Articles/Short Stories. (20 pts, extra credit)

Once you have read at least half the novel, begin reading the short stories and articles in the file for
that novel. These are articles I have culled (gathered) from various sources and relate either directly
or indirectly to a topic or issue that is presented within this book. You have the option of reading a
total of 2 of these articles/stories.
For each article/short story, write a brief (half page) summary. Then write a minimum of 150
words in response to the article/short story. You should be able to relate the article/short story in
some way to your novel or to our present society in your response. The response should reflect an
understanding of the theme/themes in the House of the Scorpion, content of the article/short story,
and plot of the novel.
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JOURNAL ACTIVITIES (DO ALL THREE) (60 pts)
On the cover page of each entry include the following information: Your name, the title of your
novel, the date, number of pages covered in the entry, entry #
Note: Use these questions as a guide: I don't want you to just go down the list of questions and
answer them. Consider all these things, however, as you write your entry. Each entry must be more
than 250 words.
1. Entry One: This entry considers chapters 1-14 of the novel. Consider these questions:
a. What information did you need to know before reading the novel?
b. What has happened before the novel began?
c. How do you think this novel is going to fit the theme of good vs. evil?
d. What's going on at the beginning of the story?
e. Who's telling the story? Why that narrator instead of someone else?
f. What is the setting (time, place, atmosphere) of the novel? Is the setting important or could the
novel be happening anywhere, at any time? Explain.
g. What is the initial problem faced by the main character?
h. How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?
i. What conflicts are developing in the story? Are they of an ethical nature? Explain.
j. Make some predictions about what you see happening in the future of the book.

2. Entry Two: This entry covers chapters 15-25 of the novel. Consider these questions:
a. What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?
b. What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel progresses?
c. Do you see the setting of your novel as the reason for the actions of the characters, would this be
happening in society today? Why do you feel that?
d. Are there any "rebels" in your novel who oppose that society? Who are they? What do they
think and do? Do you think their actions will be successful?
e. Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events?
f. Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? To what age group do you think the novel is best
suited? Why?
g. Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?
h. Describe any changes that have happened to characters in this novel.
i. What is the reason for these changes and what is the author trying to express?
j. What predictions, if any, can you make as to the outcome of the novel at this point?
k. Do you see any similarities between our society and the society in your novel? Explain.

3. Entry Three: This entry covers chapters 26-38 of the novel. Consider these questions?
a. What is the climax of the novel?
b. How are the major and minor conflicts resolved?
c. What were the major things which helped to resolve the plot?
d. What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed?
e. How realistic is the novel? Could this situation exist?
f. Now that you have completed the novel, how does it relate to our society in general?
g. Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend or another student?
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