Human Development

Title: Human Development in The Lottery

Author: Rene Ribant-Amthor

Grade Level: 11-12

Subject/Content: English/The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Summary of Lesson: Students study human development in the short story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. They focus on the concepts of a patriarchal society, the history of ritual, and public opinion.

Focus Question: What themes does The Lottery explore, and why was the public’s initial reaction one of bewilderment?

Databases(s): Student Resource Center Gold, LitFINDER

Procedures:

Steps/Activities by teacher:

1. Access and read with the students “On the Morning of June 28, 1948 and The Lottery” in the Student Resource Center Gold database.
2. Explain to the students that they will be reading the short story discussed in the article. Tell them to keep the public’s reaction and the author’s comments in mind as they read.
3. Have the students access and read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson in LITFINDER.
4. Use “The Stoning of Mistress Hutchinson: Meaning and Context in The Lottery” from the Student Resource Center Gold database to discuss meaning and context with students.
5. Ask students why the public’s initial reaction was what it was and explore how and why the reaction has changed.

Steps/Activities by student(s):

1. Access and read “On the Morning of June 28, 1948 and The Lottery” in the Student Resource Center Gold database.
2. Access and read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson in LITFINDER.
3. Discuss meaning and context in The Lottery with classmates and teacher.
4. Explore the initial reaction to The Lottery and how and why reactions have changed.

Outcome: Students will learn human development while studying The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. They readings and discussions will lead them to exploring patriarchal societies, rituals, and the change of public opinion with time and custom.

Related Activities: Students study symbol and allegory in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.

Standard Date: Approved 1998

Content Standard(s):

• NL-ENG.K-12.1: Reading for Perspective
• NL-ENG.K-12.2: Understanding the Human Experience
• NL-ENG.K-12.3: Evaluation Strategies
• NL-ENG.K-12.6: Applying Knowledge
• NL-ENG.K-12.9: Multicultural Understanding
• NL-ENG.K-12.11: Participating in Society

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
  • Anticipate meaning and context in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
  • Identify meaning and context in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
  • Connect meaning and context to various stages of human development within the short story and the public's opinion about the short story

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of computer based technology.
• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications.

ISTE NETS for Students

• Basic operations and concepts
• Social, ethical, and human issues
• Technology productivity tools
• Technology research tools

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
• Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
• Standard 5: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.