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I am not Esther
Unit Plan
TER, Term 2, 2016
I am not Esther
Contents:
Pre-reading
Discussion Questions
Creative writing opener and plot diagram
Predict
KWS chart
Reading
Close reading and discussion questions
Vocabulary
Plot diagram
Crossword
Character
Chapter 1: Initial impressions
Chapter 2: Bullies
Chapter 2: Kirby
Chapter 4: Three-level guide
Chapter 7 / 8: Drama scripts
o A: Going to school
o B: At the dinner table
o C: In the girl's bedroom
o D: Aunt Naomi gets sick
o E: The ambulance arrives
o F: At the hospital
Venn diagram
Style / Structure
Method of narration
Plot structure
Theme
Brainstorm
Quotes
Conflict chart
Getting ready for the exam
Study notes
Character notes
Character development map
SOLO taxonomy
Previous exam questions: Character
Summative Exam (BDSC, 2014, Y10 End of Year exam)
Web resources
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Pre reading
I am not Esther
Discussion questions
Do you fit in?
How do you
adjust to new
routines?
I am not Esther
Your parent(s) tell you that you will need to live with your uncle for a while because they have an
unfulfilled dream they want to achieve
Your parent(s) tell you that you are all leaving town to go and live in Wellington. You have to leave
everyone and everything you are familiar with and go with them.
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Predict
Using the pictures, predict what you think the novel, "I am not Esther" might be about.
I am not Esther
KWS Chart
What do you already know about the novel, "I am not Esther"?
What would you like to find out? Where might you go to start finding out that knowledge?
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Reading
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
feelings?
Vocabulary
For each chapter:
1. Write out the sentence that each word from the boxes bellow occurs in. Underline the word and
write a definition for the word IN THAT CONTEXT.
2. Write a 2 sentence summary of the plot.
3. Write 1 question the chapter raises.
4. Write one prediction about what will follow.
Chapter 1
Marionette
Efficient
Frenetic
Tentatively
Wince
atonement
Chapter 3
Appalling
Repented
Dissident
Travail
Buzzard
Endured
Chapter 5
Lenient
Transgressed
Betrothal
Sumptuous
Riveted
Chapter 7
Diversion
Negotiations
Chapter 9
Antagonistic
Hauled
Contaminator
Mimicked
Eviction
Psychiatric
Chapter 2
Blasphemy
Spiralling
Flippant
Unassuming
Chaste
Eerie
Chapter 4
Recite
Dredge
Infamy
Frivolous
Intently
Keening
Chapter 6
Giddy
Immensely
Skewered
Resume
Iniquity
Expunged
Chapter 8
Flounced
Welter
Impropriety
Exceedingly
Affliction
Decrees
Chapter 10
Collided
Abandoning
Relapse
Savagely
Reserved
Devout
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Crossword
Complete the crossword below:
Helpful words: A hundred; Africa; Airmail; Antagonistic; Ashamed; Bawling; Bruises; Contaminator; Cry;
Duckie; Fletcher; Jim; Los Angeles; Louisa; McDonalds; Nina; Psychiatric; Rory; Wednesday; Wellington
I am not Esther
Crossword Answers
Complete the crossword below:
Helpful words: A hundred; Africa; Airmail; Antagonistic; Ashamed; Bawling; Bruises; Contaminator; Cry;
Duckie; Fletcher; Jim; Los Angeles; Louisa; McDonalds; Nina; Psychiatric; Rory; Wednesday; Wellington
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Character
I am not Esther
Characteristics
Caring
Kind
Sensible
Emotional
Kirby
Determined
Formal
Secretive
Religious
Trusting
Afraid
Ambitious
Resourceful
Regretful
Sociable
Uncle Caleb
Organised
I am not Esther
Match the explanations to the different aspects of bullying. What other explanations can you add?
Makes them kneel
Keeps them there a long time
Makes them pray together
Ignores the emotional pain of others
I am not Esther
When writing about characters, we need to explain why they do certain things.
Complete the following table to explain why Kirby does these things.
Outward action
Inner emotion
Reasons why
Magdalene was upset
Magdalene was only 5
Kirby is a caring person
Kirby is sensitive
I am not Esther
True /
False
I am not Esther
Understanding Character:
Drama scripts
I am not Esther
Drama script A:
Going to school
(pg 80 81)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
6 roles:
Maggie
Naomi
Let me braid your hair today Esther. You must keep to the Rule while you are at
school. It is very important. Do you understand?
Yes Aunt Naomi.
Kirby
Naomi
There! That is as seemly as I can make your hair. Do not forget your scarf. Daniel
will take Magdalene to school, but I would like you to collect her and the boys
afterwards.
Kirby
Yes Aunt!
Kirby
Damaris
Kirby
Charity
Kirby
Damaris
Damaris
Kirby
Charity
Ms Chandler
Kirby
Ms Chandler
Kirby
Ms Chandler
Charity
Reflection:
I am not Esther
Drama script B:
At the dinner table
(pg 88 89)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
4 Roles:
Others can sit in on the dinner table scene as Naomi, Magdalene, Rebecca and Daniel
Caleb
Rachel
You will call her Miss or Mrs. She is either married or not. I suggest you call her
Miss.
Yes father
Make up your own script to fill this gap. Luke had the same teacher as last year and Abraham had
a new one.
Abraham
Caleb
Abraham
Caleb
Kirby
Caleb
Kirby
Caleb
Kirby
Caleb
Kirby
Caleb
Caleb
Shes cool!
Do not use unseemly language, Abraham. Try again, if you please.
Miss Rivers is a very nice person.
You wore your hair unbraided today, Esther.
Yes
At least you are honest. But in future, you will keep your hair braided. The women
of our faith are modest in thought and appearance. Braided hair does not draw
attention to itself.
Its my hair and Ill wear it how I like!
Resume your seat child. That was a most unseemly display. We will pray for you
after the meal.
No! I wont be prayed over! I wont wear my hair in a dumb plait it looks ghastly
and I hate it! No dumb man is going to lust after my hair, its the most stupid rule I
ever heard!
Go to your room and wait until I call you for prayer. You will spend tomorrow in the
discipline room and you will braid your hair.
If you think my hair is a temptation then theres a way round that!
Go to your room and wait!
Do not talk to your sister!
Reflection:
I am not Esther
Drama script C:
The girls in the bedroom
(pg 90)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
4 or 5 Roles: Rebecca; Rachel; Maggie; Naomi; Caleb; Rachel; Abraham; Luke
Kirby
(whispering)
Rebecca
(whispering)
Kirby
Rebecca
Rebecca
Rachel
Kirby
Rachel
Kirby
Rebecca
Maggie
Naomi
Please can you look out for Magdalene tomorrow? Give her a hug and stuff?
Your hair is a mess!
An ungodly mess!
Beulah would have narked on you. Shes a cow that girl.
Sorry! But watch out for her. She is fifteen and thinks she can boss us all because
she will be getting married next month.
Poor Eli! Except that he is so wet, he deserves her.
I dont know her. So how can I watch out for her?
Yes you do! She is the one at the fellowship meeting who thought she was too old
to come outside with us.
Oh! Skinny with buck teeth and pretty hair.
Outward appearance does not matter. It is the purity of the should that should
concern you, child.
The price of a good woman is above rubies. What does that mean? How much was
Rubys price?
Good night girls. Say your prayers and may God keep you until morning.
Reflection:
I am not Esther
Drama script D:
Aunt Naomi gets sick
(pg 97)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
3 roles:
Kirby
Naomi
Kirby
Naomi
Naomi
Kirby
Man
Kirby
Kirby
Kirby
Man
Kirby
Man
Reflection:
I am not Esther
Drama script E:
The ambulance arrives
(pg 98)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
3 Roles:
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Kirby
Tony
Tony
Reflection:
I am not Esther
Drama script F:
At the hospital
(pg 99 - 101)
Using the script provided, prepare and present a mini-drama based on the events happening in the
novel.
3 Roles:
Kirby
Daniel
Kirby
Daniel
Kirby
Daniel
Daniel
Caleb
Caleb
Daniel
Caleb
Daniel
Caleb
Kirby
Caleb
Reflection:
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Style
I am not Esther
Method of narration
Style questions are about HOW the story is written. It includes the type of language used, the method of
narration and how time is dealt with, e.g. chronologically or using flashbacks. You need to be able to
describe aspects of the style, and say WHY the author wrote the story this way.
I Am Not Esther is written in _______ person narration, which means the story is told by a character in the
story, in this case ________.
This positions the reader to see everything from ___________s point of view and shapes our view of
events around what Kirby sees and understands.
An example from chapter one of how the reader uses first person narration to show us Kirbys reaction to
The Children of the Faith when she first arrives is ....
An example from p 74 which shows that Kirby has noticed that there are some good things about the
Faith is.....
An example from p 76 that shows Daniels discomfort from Kirbys perspective is ....
An example from p 87 or 88 where the first person perspective shows us the growing internal conflict
Kirby experiences when she thinks about leaving the children who she has come to love is.....
An example for p 166 that shows Kirbys frustration at the rules of the Faith is.....
Kirbys perspective also shows us the horror of the moment when Daniel announces his decision to leave,
e.g...
Why do you think the author chose a 14 year old girl from outside of the Faith to narrate this story about
a religious sect?
How would the story be different if it was told from Uncle Calebs point of view?
I am not Esther
The first clue that Daniel may not be fully in agreement with his parents on all matters is....
The mystery deepens when Kirby gets a letter from her mother, because....
Therefore, Beale develops the plot with progressive revelation of characters and complication of the
questions she raises at the start. This makes the plot interesting and encourages us to keep reading and
find out what will happen next
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Theme
I am not Esther
Theme Brainstorm
Themes are the main ideas which are explored within a text. Use the brainstorm below to write down
your thoughts about the themes in "I am not Ether". You can add themes of your own, too! Don't forget
to also write down some specific times in the text where you have seen that theme shown
Potential themes might include: Obedience; identity; faith; family; courage; making sacrifices;
following your dreams; rites of passage.
I am not Esther
Quotes
Who says the following quotes, and what theme do they emphasise?
Quote
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The women of our faith never cut their hair. They wear it
long and in a single braid. That way it does not tempt the
eyes of their men to stray.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. She keeps the faith and lives by the rule. She will make
an excellent wife.
11. It made me angry and because of that I grabbed hold of
enough courage to go back in.
12. I shoved hard at the swing. They werent going to change
me.
13. I was me. Not some robot they programmed.
14. I hacked at the plait, sawing the knife backwards and
forwards across my hair.
15. I had prayed. Me, who didnt believe in God.
16. We ate our lunch and people walked past and stared at
us.
17. Her husband sat on his chuff and let that poor girl run
after him.
18. Id never seen such a grey man. His hair was grey, his
clothes were grey, his shoes were grey. I couldnt see his
eyes they were lost under a frown and wrinkles.
19. Your mother has repented and is making atonement for
her years of sin.
20. I ask to be able to be given permission to study at
university... I ask the community to give me permission to
become a doctor so that I may serve you all.
21. You have no idea how free I feel! I thought I would be
frightened without the Rule but it is wonderful.
Character
Theme
I am not Esther
Conflict chart
Conflict
between.
...
Kirby and
Ellen
Internal or
external
conflict?
Both because
Kirby is in
conflict with
her mum,
but also with
herself over
being able to
face up to
her feelings
What happens
How is it resolved
The psychologist
and Ellen persuade
Kirby to admit her
feelings, and it is
decided that Kirby
will go on living with
her aunt and uncle
for a while before
moving back in with
her mother.
This incident
is related to
the theme.....
Identity
Family
relationships
Religion
Because.....
Kirby is caught between her desire to be her
mothers caregiver, and to be looked after
like a child herself.
Kirby and her mother have a complex
relationship that greatly affected by Ellens
past, but in the end their love for each other
overcomes the difficulties.
The effects of the Children of the Faith in
Ellens childhood have very long lasting
effects in this situation.
I am not Esther
Conflict chart
Conflict
between.
...
Internal or
external
conflict?
What happens
How is it resolved
This incident
is related to
the theme.....
Because.....
I am not Esther
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Study notes
I am not Esther
Character notes
Character
Kirby/Esther
Main
characteristic
s
Main themes
Important
experience
Conflict
Change
Feelings /
ideas /
attitudes
Techniques
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Character map
Use the graphic organiser below to make notes about how Kirby changed through the text:
I am not Esther
I am not Esther
Extended Abstract: We can relate the characters from the novel to
something in our own experience/the world or to a current or historical
person/event. Predict outcomes based on knowledge and logical
interpretation.
So, we quickly have a good understanding of two characters in the book and we can logically interpret
something about their relationship. Next, we need to be able to relate this to our knowledge of the world.
You might say, "But Miss, I'm a boy! How do I know about girl's relationships with their mother?" However,
most of us can relate to the idea of helping someone who is upset, even if it is not your parent or caregiver.
You can always find something to help you understand an idea in a book and if you can't then you need to
research this part of it.
We can think about what we know about parent/child relationships and explain what is 'normal'. You might
say "Usually the parents manage the budget and help the teenager when they are crying!" So then, we can
say, "Hmmm....why is the relationship between Kirby and her mother the wrong way round?" Somebody
else might say...."In Science, when things are the wrong way around, we use the word 'inverted'!" So, we
can come up with the following explanation which has greater value and interest for someone reading our
writing:
Normally, the parents care for the children. However, Kirby's relationship with her mother is
inverted. She has become the responsible one in their family and is caring for her mother. This
could be stressful for her but because she is a strong person, she seems able to cope. Her
actions are heroic and her mother would be lost without her.
I am not Esther
1. Describe a positive or negative experience that happened to a character or individual in the text.
Explain how the writer used the experience to help you understand the character or individual.
2. Describe a character or individual in the text whom you found interesting. Explain how the writer
made the character or individual interesting to you.
3. Describe an important change that happened to one character or individual in the text. Explain
why this change was important.
4. Describe an important character or individual in the text. Explain why he or she was important.
5. Describe at least 2 techniques used to make a character or individual in the text interesting.
Explain why these techniques made the character or individual interesting.
Note: techniques could include language, structure and/or narrative point of view.
6. Describe a choice made by a character or individual in the text. Explain how this choice brought
about a change in that character or individual.
7. Describe an experience or event that was important to a character or individual in the text.
Explain why this experience or event was important to that character or individual
8. Describe a strong relationship between at least 2 characters or individuals in the text. Explain
how this relationship helped you understand these characters or individuals.
I am not Esther
You are to write an essay answer on TWO different texts that you have studied in class this year (a
novel or play; a short story or poem; a film or television program)
Head up your page with your name, your English teacher's code and the title and author
of the text you have chosen to write about.
Write the essay number at the top of the page in the left margin
Plan your essay before you begin to write and use the SEXY method to structure your essay.
Remember to include evidence/quotes from the texts in the main body paragraphs.
Achieved
Shows understanding of
specified aspects of a
text.
Merit
Shows convincing
understanding of
specified aspects of a
text.
Uses supporting
evidence
Answers both parts of
the essay questions
Excellence
Shows perspective
understanding of
specified aspects of a
text.
Uses supporting
evidence with purpose
Clearly answers both
parts of the essay
question
I am not Esther
Alliteration
Climax
Rhyme or Rhythm
Surprise moment or
ending
Metaphor or simile
Repetition
Voice over
Costumes
Lighting
Color
I am not Esther
Web resources
http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/content/teachers/TN_IAmNotEsther_Mar12.pdf
http://seniorsecondary.tki.org.nz/English/Snapshots/Snapshot-9
References:
Jones, K. (2016). Teaching with Crossword Puzzles. Retrieved from
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/2007/09/teaching-with-crossword-puzzles/