Discussion 1: "The Lottery"
1. Begin reading "The Lottery." Stop at the end of the page and answer the following question: What are the stones for? In 2-3 sentences, write a prediction of what will happen with the stones. Then, finish reading the story.
2. Where do you notice patterns or breaks in patters? What images or words are repeated? In 2-3 sentences, give an example of a pattern or a break that you noticed in the text.
3. Is there anything about the story that is puzzling, unclear, or ambiguous? In one 4-sentence paragraph, identify one place in the text that you found puzzling, ambiguous, or unclear, and explain what you would like to see clarified.
4. In 2-3 sentences, identify one strong choice that the author made regarding dialogue, setting, character or plot, and explain why this choice was so important.
Discussion 2: "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"
1. Begin reading "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" In 2-3 sentences, answer the following question: Who is the shaggy-haired boy and what did he mean by, "Gonna get you, baby?" In 2-3 sentences, write a prediction of what will happen. Then, finish reading the story.
2. In one four-sentence paragraph, make a connection between your personal life and the story. How were your teenage years similar to Connie's? How were they different?
3. Is there anything about the story that is puzzling, unclear, or ambiguous? In one 4-sentence paragraph, identify one place in the text that you found puzzling, ambiguous, or unclear, and explain what you would like to see clarified.
4. Generate a question about the text that could have more than one answer. Then, in 2-3 sentences, write your own answer to that question.