The Autobiography

Mrs. Flowers

Bell Ringer

Write about someone who has influenced your life.

Turn and share how this person has influenced your life.

Before You Read p. 185

Make the ConnectionClass SurveyRate each of the statements that follow with a number 0 to 4. disagree 0 1 2 3 4 agree

1. Young people need older role models.2. Friends should be the same age.3. Adults can’t understand how young people feel.4. Everyone deserves to feel special.

Before You Read

Literary Focus

Reading Skills

Vocabulary Development

Background

Read the rest of page. 185

Additional Background InformationKnow the Setting and Characters Black Stamps was the black neighborhood in Stamps, Arkansas. At the time of this story, segregation was in force, which meant that only blacks lived in thatneighborhood. Also, Momma calls Mrs. Flowers “Sister,” but they are not related. The term is one of respect and affection.

Vocabulary Development

Choose the Vocabulary word that completes the analogies.

1. Loose is to tight as slack is to _______________.

2. Mild is to gentle as kind is to _______________.

3. Empty is to vacate as fill is to ______________.

4. Restless is to patient as accepting is to ____________.

5. Sleep is to exhaustion as education is to ____________.

• aristocrat (p. 186): member of the upper class• boggled (p. 188): confused by something that is surprising, vast,or very hard to understand• scent (p. 188): smell; aroma• icebox (p. 188): cabinet with ice in it for keeping food cold• ignorance (p. 189): lack of knowledge or education• aura (p. 189): feeling or mood that seems to surround something

Preview additional vocabulary

Practice Vocabulary

• Turn to Pg. 192

Visualizing

Close your book, and listen to first five paragraphs describing Mrs. Flowers.

How do you visualize Mrs. Flowers? (Pair/Share)

What is the narrator’s impression of Mrs. Flowers?

Comparing and Contrasting

• How does the painting on page 187 compare and contrast with your impression of Mrs. Flowers, based on the description of her on p. 186. (Turn/Share)

Continue listening to “Mrs. Flowers”

One summer afternoon, sweet-milk…

Guided Practice Locate passages in the text that support your answers.

1. Where does the story take place? answer

2. How does Marguerite do in school? answer

3. According to Mrs. Flowers, what separates humans from animals? answer

4. What does Mrs. Flowers lend to Marguerite? answer

5. What does Mrs. Flowers serve with cookies? answer

Meet the Writer

Maya Angelou

p. 190

After You Read Response and Analysis

Thinking Critically p. 191

With a partner, answer questions 2, 3, and 5.

1. Compare and Contrast the motivations and reactions of the characters in “Mrs. Flowers” by describing each of them, beginning with Mrs. Flowers. (Partner)

2. Why do you think Mrs. Flowers is helping Marguerite? (Individual)

3. What do you think is the most important thing Mrs. Flowers does for the girl? (Discuss as whole group)

Analysis and ResponseDiscussion

Individually

Selection Test