This is the lesson to accompany the story "The Quickening" by Lisa Interollo and may include extra excerpts from songs and poems as comprehension questions and language development. The actual story in not included here; this lesson is for after reading the story. Created by Coleman’s Classroom.

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The Quickening
Lisa Interollo

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Sensory Vocabulary
• Sight
– Colors
– Sizes
– Patterns
– Brightness
• Sound
– Loud/Soft
– Piercing/Soothing
– Continuous/ Off-
and-on
– Pleasant/
Unpleasant
– Other Sound?

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Other Sensory Vocabulary
• Smell
– Sweet/Sour
– Sharp/Mild
– Good Smell?
– Bad Smell?
– New?
• Taste
–Good Taste?
– Bad Taste?
– Bitter/Sugary
– Metallic
– Burning/Spicy

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Other Sensory Vocabulary
• Touch
– Hard/Soft
– Liquid/Solid
– Rough/Smooth
– Dry/Oily
– Textures

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Excerpt “A Tell-Tale Heart” Edgar Allen Poe
I resolved to open a little --a very, very
little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it --you
cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily --
until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread
of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell
full upon the vulture eye. It was open --wide,
wide open --and I grew furious as I gazed upon
it. I saw it with perfect distinctness --all a dull
blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the
very marrow in my bones; but I could see
nothing else of the old man's face or person:
for I had directed the ray as if by instinct,
precisely upon the damned spot.

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Idioms
“a haul” adj/noun
Shoplift – Verb
I am shoplifting a the candy.
I have shoplifted many times.
He has been shoplifting all his life.
Rip off- Verb
Don’t you dare rip me off!
He ripped me off yesterday.
He has been ripping people off for years!

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Story Understanding

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• Describe Vicky’s home life.
• Contrast Vicky’s former school
with Kinston.
• Why does Mrs. Medford’s idea of
charity make Vicky uncomfortable?
• How do we know Andrea
disapproved of Susan’s and
Vicky’s stealing?

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• Describe Mrs. Medford’s meeting with
Miss Olafson. Find examples the
principles snobbishness.
• Why did Miss Olafson go to the
school? Was that action effective?
What would you have done the same?
Differently?
• Why did Vicky respond in such a
manner when giving Mr. Donnelly the
stolen book?

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• Why did Mr. Donnelly defend the girls
in the meeting with Mrs. Medford and
Miss Olafson?
• What sentence best describes the
advice Mr. Donnelly gave Vicky? How
did this advice affect Vicky?
• Why does Vicky steal? Is this a good
reason? Is there any good reason to
steal?

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• What happens when Vicky gets
caught? Does Vicky feel bad for
stealing? Or for getting caught?
• What are other things teenagers do to
get the same thrill Vicky got?
• Who was a better friend Andy or
Susan?
• Do you think Vicky gave up stealing
completely or went back to it?

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Analysis Factors
Some Possibilities

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Some Themes
Excitement and Peace
Responsibility and Irresponsibility
Poverty and Wealth
Students and Teachers
Friendship
Family
Immaturity and Maturity

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Character
Vicky Susan Andy
Mr. Donnelly Mrs. Medford

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Dialogue / Dialect
Vicky and her Mother
Vicky and the girls
Vicky and Miss Olafson
Vicky and Mr. Donnelly
Vicky and Mrs. Medford

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Sensory Impressions
Examples of ...
How does this advance the
story?

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Symbolism
Is there any symbolism in the
story?
How is it used?
What might it mean?

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