Teachers packageThe Outsiders, S.E. Hinton

Table of contents

IntroductionCriteriaTeacher introductionTeacher information

Lesson activitiesLesson activity 1 Pre-readingLesson activity 2 While readingLesson activity 3 While readingLesson activity 4 While readingLesson activity 5 While readingLesson activity 6 While readingLesson activity 7 Post-reading

Student materialWork plannerWorksheet 1Homework sheet 1Worksheet 2Homework sheet 2Worksheet 3Homework sheet 3Homework sheet 4Worksheet 5Homework sheet 5Worksheet 6Homework sheet 6The Outsiders vocabulary

Introduction

CriteriaWe had to create a well- designed, attractive, easily copyable work-sheet to go with assigned novel to promote, guide and facilitate the reading process as a class reader. We had to include warm up, pre-reading activities, while-reading activities aimed at understanding and reader-response, and post-reading activities aimed at imaginative and critical reflection. In front of you is our teaching package which helps teachers to deal with The Outsiders and come up with activities that help students comprehend the book in order for them to improve their use of English and let them experience how much fun reading a book can be.

Teacher informationThis teaching package is divided into 7 lessons and after each lesson the students have to read two chapter of the book and answer some questions that students can find on the worksheet they take home after every lesson.After lesson 6 the students will read the last two chapters of the book and the last lesson they will be challenged to film their favourite scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0izmGO60fW4 Trailer of The Outsiders + comment of S.E. Hintonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tgJqnVMAtc Trailer of The Outsiders moviehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doKfBmjIOMA Trailer of The Outsiders movie fanmadehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJnfleLeOZg S.E. Hinton on location in Tulsahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYYTV6LHdl0 Actors read from The Outsiders novelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV8MTj9We0E Review of The Outsiders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9H--W_ZfJU OPL Teen Tech week video contest

Lesson activity 1 Pre-reading

Students think about how names affect how we think about people.1. Ask students what they think about the author’s name. What is this person like? Write

the ideas on the board.2. Share with students that the author is Susan Eloise Hinton. She used her initials when

publishing the book. Ask students why they think she did this. What actually happened is that her publisher suggested this so that male readers (and reviewers) would not be turned off by a book written by a woman – Hinton decided to continue to use her initials for all her books as a way to separate her public life from her private life.

3. Now have students fill out worksheet 1. They will make predictions about some of the characters in the book based on their names or nicknames.

Lesson activity 2 While reading

The first thing that students have to do is called the "MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIETY FREEWRITE". This is a

basic timed freewrite about their personal thoughts and feelings about the social groupings at their

school. Freewrite means that grammar and spelling are NOT graded…the idea is to allow the students to

get as many of their uncensored thoughts out as possible, and concerning themselves with mechanics

will only slow them down. The directions at the top of this sheet are as follows:

DIRECTIONS: In every organized grouping of people, social cliques exist. Think about the social groups

(cliques) that exist at our school. Where do you fit into this structure, and do you feel that your

placement in this category/group is a fair and accurate one? Why or why not? Things to consider (I put

these in bullet points below the directions):

What specific social groupings exist in our school?

What characteristics does each social grouping possess?

Who makes up the criteria for membership in different social groupings?

How easy/difficult is it to get out of a social group that you have been placed in?

What do people need to do to change their social status? Are they easily accepted into a new one?

The second thing that the students have to do is called the "MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIETY CLUSTER MAP".

This is a basic web graphic organizer - Main idea bubble (labeled as "Cliques/Groups In My School"" in

the center, 3 or 4 blank bubbles surrounding this main idea. The directions at the top of this sheet are as

follows:

DIRECTIONS: Use the information from your free write, as well as any new information you have thought

of since then to fill in the cluster outline. Your main idea goes inside of the oval, and supporting ideas go

in the boxes. You will need to add supporting evidence/characteristics around the boxes (minimum 3 to

meet standards). Place a star(s) next to the social grouping(s) that you feel you belong to.

Following this activity, have a class discussion to talk about what kids think are the main and secondary

"groups" of students in their school. You may be surprised by their observations. Some groups kids may

separate students by are: physical appearance, monetary/financial status, intelligence, personality,

reputation. Since The Outsiders deals with stratification of youth by such categories as these, it is

important to have a strong class discussion of these things to lay the foundation of the book.

Lesson activity 3 While reading

Students will revisit their predictions from worksheet 1.1. Have students fill out worksheet 3. Knowing what they now know, they will pick 5 adjectives to

describe each character.2. Looking back at worksheet 1, discuss: were the students’ predictions correct? What does this

show us about prejudging someone by their name? Connect this is lass discussion to prejudging someone for being a greaser or Soc, prejudging someone because they dress like a greaser, etc.

Lesson activity 4 While reading

In order for students to understand S.E. Hinton’s novel The Outsiders completely, they must understand the music of the time and how it relates to the novel’s main characters. In the novel, different groups of characters emerge and Hinton distinguishes these groups by associating them with musicians of the time. She relates The Beatles to the Socs, Elvis Presley to the Greasers, and Hank Williams, Sr. to a rougher subculture of Greasers. Unfortunately, many students are not familiar enough with these early popular music artists to grasp Hinton’s use of them in her novel. Therefore, in this lesson, students will gain an understanding of these and other musicians and how they relate to the novel’s themes of forbidden love, friendship, and social ostracism.

1. “Heartbreak Hotel”: Discuss how this song relates to the theme of forbidden love in The Outsiders, specifically concerning Cherry and Ponyboy. Discuss why the Greasers might relate to Elvis Presley.

2. “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”: Discuss how this song might relate to the theme of forbidden love in The Outsiders, specifically concerning Cherry and Ponyboy. Discuss why the Socs might relate to The Beatles.

3. “I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry”: Discuss how this song might relate to the theme of social ostracism in The Outsiders, specifically concerning the Greasers. Discuss why the Greasers might relate to Hank Williams, Sr.

4. “Two of Us”: Discuss how this song might relate to the theme of friendship in The Outsiders, specifically concerning Ponyboy and Johnny.

5. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”: Discuss this song in relation to The Outsiders. Would the Socs or the Greasers relate to this song?

6. “My Generation”: Discuss this song in relation to The Outsiders. Would the Socs or the Greasers relate to this?

In small groups, students are to select three modern songs. One of these three songs must relate to the theme of forbidden love, another to the theme of social ostracism, and a third to the theme of friendship. If class time is available, students could present their songs and rationale to the class.

Lesson activity 5 While reading

"Quotation Activity" - Use important quotations from the book to help students interpret deeper meaning. Divide them into cooperative learning groups and have them interpret and explain the chosen quotes. Here are some examples:

Ponyboy: "I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me" - pg. 18

Cherry to Pony: "I could fall in love with Dallas Winston. I hope I never see him again or I will." - pg. 46

Johnny to Pony: "Stay Gold Ponyboy" - pg. 148

Pony to Cherry: "It's okay… We aren't in the same class. Just don't forget that some of us watch the sunset too." - pg. 46

Ponyboy: "Dally was so real he scared me" - pg. 76

Randy to Pony: "Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it's the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs." - pg. 117

Ponyboy: "We couldn't get along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason." - pg 121

Ponyboy: "What kind of a world is it where all I have to be proud of is a reputation for being a hood and greasy hair? I don't want to be a hood, but even if I don't steal things and mug people and get boozed up, I'm marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?" pg. 132

Ponyboy: "It wasn't only jealousy - Darry had a right to be jealous; he was ashamed to be on our side, ashamed to be seen with the Brumly boys, Shepard's gang, maybe even us. Nobody realized it but me and Soda. It didn't matter to anyone but me and Soda." - pg. 143

Ponyboy: "Did they hate us now? I hoped they hated us, that they weren't full of that pity-the-victims-of-environment junk the social workers kept handing Curly Shepard every time he got sent off to reform school. I'd rather have anybody's hate than their pity." - pg. 162

Ponyboy: "It was too vast a problem to be just a personal thing. There should be some help, someone should tell them before it was too late. Someone should tell their side of the story, and maybe people would understand then, and wouldn't be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore." - pg. 179

Lesson activity 6 While reading

"Turning Points" - This can be either a group or individual activity. Find several turning points or major events in the book. Create a table that consists of 3 columns labeled: Observation (Events from the passage), Interpretation (What do you think about these events? What do they mean to you?), and Support (Evidence from the passage, your own prior knowledge, or somewhere else in the book)

Lesson activity 7 Post-reading

When the students have read the entire book and discussed their favourite scene(s) they are divided into groups.

1. Students have to think of a way to film their favourite scene and record it.2. When all he groups have made their film, the films could be watched in class while the

others students try to guess which scene was filmed.

Student material

On the next pages you will find student material which can be used in class and as homework.

Work plannerPart What you need to do Finished?Lesson 1 Active participation in class

Worksheet 1Lesson 2 Homework sheet 1

Active participation in classWorksheet 2

Lesson 3 Homework sheet 2Active participation in classWorksheet 3

Lesson 4 Homework sheet 3Active participation in class

Lesson 5 Homework sheet 4Active participation in classWorksheet 5

Lesson 6 Homework sheet 5Active participation in classWorksheet 6

Lesson 7 Homework sheet 6Active participation in class

Worksheet 1

What’s in a name?The Socs and the Greasers are two groups in The Outsiders. Below each group’s name, list 5 adjectives to describe what you think this group looks and acts like. Then place each name listed below in one of the groups. Note in the group’s description why you think these names fit in this group.

Darry – Sodapop – Cherry – Dally – Ponyboy – Johnny – Bob – Two-Bit – Randy

Socs

Adjectives for Greasers

Adjectives for SocsGreasers

Homework sheet 1

First read chapters 1 & 2 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think Ponyboy loves going to the movies? What do movies do for him?

2. What does Ponyboy mean when he says that he does well in school but he doesn't "use his head"?

3. What are some of the reasons Ponyboy gives for Darry's strict rules?

4. Why doesn't Ponyboy think Darry loves him?

5. What is Johnny's life at home like? What do the Greaser's give Johnny that he doesn't get at home?

6. How does Ponyboy feel when the Soc's tease him?

7. Who does Ponyboy think looks like a movie star? a. Sodapop b. Johnny c. Steve Randle d. Himself

8. What is Two-Bit Matthews famous for? a. fixing cars b. eating 4 dozen eggs c. shoplifting d. weightlifting

9. Why doesn't Ponyboy live with his mom and dad? a. they don't want him b. they were killed c. he chose to live with his brothers

10. Who is Sodapop's girlfriend? a. Sandie b. Evie c. Sylvia d. Marcy

11. Who was the captain of the football team in high school? a. Dally b. Darry c. Ponyboy d. Steve

12. Which of the Greasers was in jail at 10 years old? a. Dallas b. Two-Bit Matthews c. Darry d. Sodapop

Worksheet 2AIn every organized grouping of people, social cliques exist. Think about the social groups (cliques) that exist at our school. Where do you fit into this structure, and do you feel that your placement in this category/group is a fair and accurate one? Why or why not?

Things to consider: What specific social groupings exist in our school? What characteristics does each social grouping possess? Who makes up the criteria for membership in different social groupings? How easy/difficult is it to get out of a social group that you have been placed in? What do people need to do to change their social status? Are they easily accepted into a new one?

BUse the information from your free write, as well as any new information you have thought of since then to fill in the cluster outline. Your main idea goes inside of the oval, and supporting ideas go in the boxes. You will need to add supporting evidence/characteristics around the boxes. Place a star(s) next to the social grouping(s) that you feel you belong to.

Homework sheet 2

First read chapters 3 & 4 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. Why does Ponyboy dream about the country?

2. Why does Ponyboy think that Dally could never love anyone or anything?

3. Why does Ponyboy feel bad when he talks about his unhappy home life to Johnny?

4. Why would a Soc like Cherry Valence be attracted to a Greaser like Dally?

5. When he is talking to Cherry, what does Ponyboy say separates Greasers from Socs? a. money b. location c. cars d. feelings

6. According to Cherry, what is the main difference between Greasers and Socs? a. money b. location c. cars d. feelings

7. Who was Mickey Mouse? a. Soda's horse b. Soda's puppy c. Soda's car d. Soda's toy

8. According to Bob, what is a Greaser? a. white trash with madras and Mustangs b. white trash with long hair c. white trash

9. Who helps Johnny and Ponyboy escape after the murder? a. Two-Bit b. Dally c. Buck Merill d. Darry

10. Where do Ponyboy and Johnny hide out after the murder? a. a train car b. a church c. a school d. a field

Worksheet 3

Pick 5 adjectives to describe each character mentioned below. Think about how this character looks, acts, and thinks, as well as how others see him or her.

Darry Ponyboy Bob

Sodapop Dally Johnny

Cherry Randy Two-Bit

Homework sheet 3

First read the chapters 5 & 6 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. What do the boys do to their hair the day after they arrive at the church? Why?

2. Why can't Ponyboy tell anyone but Johnny about the "sunrise and clouds and stuff"?

3. How does Ponyboy feel about hunting? Why do you think he is afraid to tell Dally he feels this way?

4. How does Johnny feel when he finds out his parents weren't looking for him?

5. What is the reason Dallas gives for not wanting to see Johnny go to jail?

6. Why do you think Johnny looks happy when he's in the burning church?

7. The boys pass the time in the church by reading: a. Time magazine b. Gone With the Wind c. the comics

8. What makes Johnny think of Dallas as "gallant"? a. is success with girls b. coolly accepting blame for something another gang member did c. the way he helped the boys hide out d. his criminal record

9. Who writes Ponyboy a letter when they are hiding out? a. Soda b. Cherry c. Darry d. Two-Bit

10. Where do the police think Johnny and Pony have gone to after the murder? a. New York b. Texas c. Oklahoma d. Kansas

11. What does Ponyboy find most scary about Dallas? a. his criminal record b. his hair c. his realness d. his intelligence

12. Who is the "spy" for the greasers? a. Randy b. Bob c. Marcia d. Cherry

Homework sheet 4

First read chapters 7 & 8 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think most adults in town aren't aware of the segregation between the greasers and the Socs?

2. Why is Darry so worried when Ponyboy tells him he has a dream the other night?

3. Why does Soda's girlfriend move to Florida with her grandmother?

4. What does Ponyboy realize when he listens to Randy and Cherry talk about Bob?

5. Why isn't Randy showing up at the rumble that night?

6. How does Ponyboy get into the house after coming home from the hospital? a. he crawls b. through the window c. Darry carries him d. he walks

7. Darry dislikes being referred to as "all brawn and no brain" because: a. he knows he isn't very smart b. he works hard at body building c. he wanted to go to college, and should have d. he can carry 2 bundles of roofing up a ladder

8. What does Soda eat for breakfast? a. scrambled eggs and catsup b. scrambled eggs and chocolate syrup c. scrambled eggs and grape jelly d. scrambled eggs and mustard

9. What does Dally ask Two-Bit for in the hospital? a. a magazine b. a copy of Gone With The Wind c. to give Johnny a hug for him d. Two-Bit's black switchblade

10. Why won't Cherry go see Johnny in the hospital? a. he's a greaser, and he killed her boyfriend b. she's terrified of hospitals c. she hates Johnny d. her parents won't let her go

Worksheet 5

1 Ponyboy: "I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me" - pg. 18

2 Cherry to Pony: "I could fall in love with Dallas Winston. I hope I never see him again or I will." - pg. 46

3 Johnny to Pony: "Stay Gold Ponyboy" - pg. 148

4 Pony to Cherry: "It's okay… We aren't in the same class. Just don't forget that some of us watch the sunset too." - pg. 46

5 Ponyboy: "Dally was so real he scared me" - pg. 76

6 Randy to Pony: "Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be Socs. Sometimes I think it's the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs." - pg. 117

7 Ponyboy: "We couldn't get along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason." - pg 121

8 Ponyboy: "What kind of a world is it where all I have to be proud of is a reputation for being a hood and greasy hair? I don't want to be a hood, but even if I don't steal things and mug people and get boozed up, I'm marked lousy. Why should I be proud of it? Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?" pg. 132

9 Ponyboy: "It wasn't only jealousy - Darry had a right to be jealous; he was ashamed to be on our side, ashamed to be seen with the Brumly boys, Shepard's gang, maybe even us. Nobody realized it but me and Soda. It didn't matter to anyone but me and Soda." - pg. 143

10 Ponyboy: "Did they hate us now? I hoped they hated us, that they weren't full of that pity-the-victims-of-environment junk the social workers kept handing Curly Shepard every time he got sent off to reform school. I'd rather have anybody's hate than their pity." - pg. 162

11 Ponyboy: "It was too vast a problem to be just a personal thing. There should be some help, someone should tell them before it was too late. Someone should tell their side of the story, and maybe people would understand then, and wouldn't be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore." - pg. 179

Homework sheet 5

First read chapters 9 & 10 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. On the bottom of p.133, when Pony asks what kind of a world it is, what comment is he making about how society judges people?

2. Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?

3. What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand?

4. What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean?

5. How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work in this chapter?

6. Why was Johnny’s dying so difficult for Dally to handle?

7. Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?

Worksheet 6Observation (Events from the passage)

Interpretation (What do you think about these events? What do they mean to you?)

Support (Evidence from the passage, your own prior knowledge, or somewhere else in the book)

Homework sheet 6

First read chapters 11 & 12 of The Outsiders and then answer the following questions.

1. Why does Randy come to visit Ponyboy before the hearing?

2. Why does Pony feel proud of Soda and Darry for admitting their friendship with Dally?

3. What is significant about Pony threatening the Socs with a broken bottle?

4. What sign of hope is there for Randy? a. He feels "lousy" about letting his father down b. He can afford to pay a fine c. His parents will be at the hearing

5. What nickname does Darry call Pony that he usually reserves for Soda? a. Mickey Mouse b. Little Buddy c. Gilligan d. Honey

6. What does the judge ask Pony about at the hearing? a. who killed Bob b. Pony's daily life c. Who Pony would like to live with

7. What is the outcome of the hearing? a. Pony is put on probation b. Pony is convicted of Bob's murder c. Pony is acquitted d. Pony is put in a foster home

8. How can Pony improve his English grade? a. by writing a poem about a sunset b. by writing a report about Gone With the Wind c. by retaking a test d. by writing a composition

9. What happened with Sandie that has Soda so upset? a. Sandie lost the baby b. Sandie married someone else c. The baby wasn't Soda's d. Sandie doesn't ever want to see Soda again

The Outsiders vocabularyGreaser - Group of boys that love each other like family, poor, steal things, drink, smoke, fight (but always for a reason), very emotional yet tough on the outside.

Soc - wealthy group that lives on the West side of town, fight (unfairly) because they're bored, nice cars, good grades, cool and aloof.

Rumble - To engage in a gang fight.

Mugged - To threaten or assault (a person) with the intent to rob.

Lynx - Any of several wildcats having soft thick fur, a black-tipped short tail, and tufted ears.

Bawl - To cry or sob loudly; wail.

Reckless - Heedless or careless.

Vacant - Not occupied or put to use, empty.

Nonchalant - Seeming to be coolly unconcerned or indifferent, not caring.

Incredulous - Skeptical; disbelieving.

Stocky - Solidly built; sturdy, plump.

Roguish - Deceitful; unprincipled, playful.

Editorial - An article in a publication expressing the opinion of its editors or publishers. Paul Newman - Famous actor, handsome, always played tough "manly" roles in movies.

Rodeo - A public competition or exhibition in which skills such as riding broncos or roping calves are displayed.

Aloof - Distant physically or emotionally; non-emotional, or non-caring.

Elite - A group or class of persons or a member of such a group or class, enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status.

Boxcar - A fully enclosed railroad car, typically having sliding side doors, used to transport freight.

Stammer - To speak with involuntary pauses or repetitions.

Territory - An area of land; a region.

Premonition - A warning in advance.

Contemptuous - The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, or worthless; scorn.

Bleak - Gloomy and somber.

Panic - A sudden, overpowering terror.

Apprehensive - Anxious or fearful about the future.

Snooker - Pocket billiards played with 15 red balls and 6 balls of other colors.

Hermit - A person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence; a recluse.

Reformatory - A penal institution for the discipline, reformation, and training of young or first offenders. Also called reform school.

Bootleg - To make, sell, or transport (alcoholic liquor) for sale illegally.

Hank Williams - Pioneer of country music.

The Beatles - 4 men from Liverpool, England, first true rock and roll/pop band in America.

Siege - The surrounding and blockading of a city, town, or fortress by an army attempting to capture it.

Reluctant - Offering resistance; opposing.

Sullen - Gloomy or somber in tone

Gallant - Smartly or boldly stylish; dashing.

Detached - Separated; disconnected.

Indignant - angered at something unjust or wrong.

Conviction - The judgment of a jury or judge that a person is guilty of a crime as charged. OR… A fixed or strong belief.

Peroxide - Liquid composed of hydrogen and oxygen used for disinfecting wounds and bleaching.

Billfold - A folding pocket-sized case for carrying paper money, small personal documents, and sometimes change….in other words, a wallet.

Amplify - To make larger or more powerful; increase.

Stifle - To interrupt or cut off (the voice, for example).

Menace - A possible danger; a threat.

Leery - Suspicious or distrustful.

Taut - Pulled or drawn tight.

Delirious - Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion. OR…light-headed; insane; raving.

Stupor - A state of mental numbness, as that resulting from shock; a daze.

Feverish - Intense agitation, emotion, or activity.

Triumph - To be victorious or successful; win.

Concussion - An injury to an organ, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow and followed by a temporary or prolonged loss of function.