Time Shifts and Rise of the Dictators

Starter #3

1. Based on chapters 2 and 3, how would you describe the character of Billy Pilgrim?  What words would you use and why?
2. Do you like Billy Pilgrim?  Why/why not?

Time Shifting Activity: Choose ONE of the following   (40 min, Solo, Small Group, or Partner)

Option 1: TEA Paragraphs     (Solo)

TYPE and PRINT two TEA paragraphs that address the following questions:

1. Who is Billy Pilgrim and why has he come unstuck in time?
2. Give examples from the text that explain your reasoning (QUOTE the book!  Don’t just paraphrase!).

Option 2: Small Group Discussions     (Small Group à Solo)

As a group discuss the questions below. Keep quick notes during the discussion of points you think are particularly interesting. After the discussion write a paragraph that talks about the 3 most interesting things that came up in your discussion, and what you learned in your discussion.

1. How is time portrayed in this book?  How is it different from our view of time? Why does the author want you to think about time this way?
2. On page 26-27 Billy states “The most important thing I learned on Tralfamadore was when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present, and future, always have existed, always will exist”. Why is this important to Billy? Why is it used by Vonnegut in this book?
3. Why do you think Billy first came unstuck in time during the war? Discuss the quote on page 60 stating “Among the things Billy Pilgrim could not change were the past, the present, and the future”.

Option 3: Comic Artist     (Solo)

On one of the big white pieces of paper, create a comic strip for chapters 2 and 3 that includes:

1.  At least 4 time shifts (you will need to decide which are the most important to show…you could definitely show more than 4 if you choose!)
2. A depiction of Billy Pilgrim's character
3.  At least 4 quotes from the book that go along with the scenes you are showing

Option 4: Chapter Timeline     (Solo or Partner- If with a partner have your own timelines)

1.  Identify 10 of the 13 time shifts in chapters 2 and 3
2.  Put them in chronological order in a timeline (this will be different from the order they are presented in the book!).  I suggest using one of the big white pieces of paper to make sure you have enough room.
3. For each event:

a.       1-2 word title for the event

b.      Summarize (one sentence) what happened

c.       Find a quote from the book that represents that event

d.      Write one sentence that answers: What does this event tell you about Billy Pilgrim?

 BONUS: Color code the events so that different colors correspond to different stages in Billy’s life.

Rise of the Dictators

For this mini-project, you will be assigned a dictator to focus on.  For that dictator, you must do one of two things:

Option 1: Visual Focus

1. Create a comic strip of at least 8 panels that shows this dictators rise to power.  You need to make sure to include:
1. a quote from the dictator
2. a symbol they used
3. the context that helped them gain power
4. at least three details about how they gained and maintained power
2. Underneath the comic strip, list the 5 main points you want to communicate about this dictator.

Option 2: Writing Focus

3. Type two solidly organized TEA paragraphs that explain the main reasons this dictator was able to rise to power.  I suggest that you make the first paragraph about the historical context that helped them to gain power, and the second paragraph about the methods they used to gain and maintain power.  Make sure you include evidence!
4.  Above or below that paragraph, you need to include: a symbol used by that dictator, and a quote from that dictator that you think best represents them.  The quote cannot be a quote from the resource sheet!

HOMEWORK

1. Read and annotate chapter 4 of Slaughterhouse Five.  Due: Start of class, Tuesday
2. Finish Time Shift Activity if you didn't finish in class

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