Mr Josh Cauhorn / English 11 Honors 1

Unit: Realism
Lesson: 6-Regionalism and “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”
Length: ~45 mins

IDOE Standards Covered

Standard 3: READING: Comprehension and Analysis of Literary Text
Students read and respond to grade-level appropriate historically or culturally significant
works of literature that reflect and enhance their study of history and social science.

11.3.1 Structural Features of Literature: Analyze characteristics of subgenres, types of

writings such as satire, parody, allegory, and pastoral that are used in poetry, prose,
plays, novels, short stories, essays, and other basic genres.
• Satire: using humor to point out weaknesses of people and society.
• Parody: using humor to imitate or mock a person or situation.
• Allegory: using symbolic figures and actions to express general truths about
human experiences.
• Pastoral: showing life in the country in an idealistic - and not necessarily
realistic - way.

11.3.5 Analyze or evaluate works of literary or cultural significance in history (American,

English, or world) that:
• reflect a variety of genres in each of the respective historical periods.
• were written by important authors in the respective major historical periods.
• reveal contrasts in major themes, styles, and trends.
• reflect or shed light on the seminal philosophical, religious, social, political, or
ethical ideas of their time.

Objectives
1. Explain Regionalism’s importance in the cultural history of the United States.
(11.3.1., 11.3.5)
1.1 Describe the key identifiers of Regionalism in literature: use of dialect and
a focus on the unique aspects of a specific area.
1.2 Analyze the ways in which Regionalism accurately depicts real life in
1800’s America.
1.3 Analyze specific stereotypical characters, a key aspect of Regionalism.

Procedure

Preparation

Prepare clip from The Breakfast Club.

Prepare PowerPoint for this lesson.
0-10 mins // Introduction and Anticipatory Set

“Today, we are going to explore more of Regionalism by looking at Bret Harte’s short
story “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.” This is a pretty difficult work, so we’re going to talk
about it before we read it, so that when you read it for tomorrow, you have a basic
working knowledge of the story to work with. Something typical in the story is how the
characters are a stereotype of a certain kind of person, and this is somewhat
represented—some more than others—in the name of that person. Stereotypical
characters are also used in the 1980’s movie The Breakfast Club, which is about a
group of outcasts serving a detention on a Saturday morning at a high school.”

Show PowerPoint of the five characters, pointing out their specific high school roles
(jock, trouble guy, quiet girl, cheerleader, etc.). Ask students to pay attention and be
able to state what makes them this way in the clip. What do they say/do that puts them
in their roles?

Show YouTube clip.

Discuss results. Write on board.

10-30 mins // Introduce new material

“Just like in The Breakfast Club, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” contains stereotypes of
characters. Now, this read is a more difficult one, so we are going to study it a bit before
I have you read it for tomorrow. To study today, we’ll be doing a character study, in
groups, and look into each character in depth. Here are the directions for today:”

– In 5 groups, skim the short story, looking for your character’s name. When you
find it, pull out the surrounding details about your character.
– Be sure to write down the following things in the shaded space next to your
character. Write about their appearance, disposition (are they kind, funny, mean,
etc.), and one thing they do in the story.
– You have 15 minutes.

30-40 mins // Present to Class

Students will now present their results to the class. The class will write down the details
about the characters being described as each respective group presents.

40-45 mins // Closure and Journal Writing

“Today, we looked a bit at the characters in “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.” I did this to
give you an introduction to who they are, so that you can better understand the story
before you read it. It is a bit difficult; be sure to use the bolded words in the margins to
understand the vocabulary. Here is your journal question for today:

“Do you see yourself in a stereotype? Are you subject to one? Or do you see yourself
outside of stereotypes, free of the restrictions they bring?”

THERE WILL BE A QUIZ TOMORROW OVER THE READING. EMPHASIZE THAT

THEY ARE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES—FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS.
 Mr Josh Cauhorn / English 11 Honors 3

CORRECTIONS WITH PAGE NUMBER AND SENTENCE PROVING CORRECT

ANSWERS MERIT 75% BACK.

Materials Needed

-YouTube Breakfast Club clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8qb9TRqZsM

-Outcasts of Poker Flat Notes Sheet
-Textbooks

Formative Assessment

The Graphic Organizers will provide proof that the kids were paying attention. I will walk
around and ensure that they are filling them out. In addition, discussion will give me
immediate feedback on their progress. The quizzes also provide for formative
assessment, for I allow for corrections with evidence from the book at 75%.

Learning Styles

• visual/spatial (Graphic Organizer)

• verbal/linguistic (discussion)
• interpersonal (discussion)
• intrapersonal (Journal Writing)

Accommodations

None, as these are advanced students.

Resources

YouTube Breakfast Club Clip