HW: Complete Official Report for Captain

Hello all. Your HW is to complete the official report: Please use 12 pt font, and double space. You may use Times New Roman OR Courier New for that official report look! Remember, this is your brain talking to me on paper. EXPOSE YOUR THINKING!

 Also, I will be collecting logs tomorrow. I'll be checking for accuracy and thoroughness. Don't go crazy with filling each page up, but you should have some key info down for each character. You will get these back relatively soon so that they can help you with your game!


I gave this advice yesterday: rereading chapters 25-27 might help clarify some things (pages 183-206)

Motive

Report #4:

In what way(s) does Sam Westing influence the lives of the heirs?

(bullet points are fine)





In light of the observations you made above, what do you think is Sam Westing's motive(s) for having the heirs play the Westing game?


Topics or Themes the story deals with:

Philanthropy (helping those in need)
Self-discovery (finding your identity)
Importance of companionship
Importance of family
Forgiveness
The Truth: misinterpretation (appearance versus reality)
                perspective and truth
               

HW: Complete item #1 for Official Report

Please draft (typed or handwritten) item #1 for your official report.

For item #2 please note the following: You need to identify and explain how THREE specific moments or patterns in the story tip you off to the solution of the Westing game/ Sam's real identity.  You must use strong, developed explanations to show how they tie in to the end of the novel.

FINISH WESTING GAME BY TOMORROW

Tomorrow we will have a reading check. If you did not do well last time, this is an opportunity to show that you got it together and are capable of pulling your own weight in a group or partner situation.



Today, you are either reading and completing info for your logs and webs

OR

If you have finished/solved the Westing Game, please work backwards. How was this ending projected throughout the story? What ultimately ended up being a major red herring? You will be writing an official report on the case and that includes
1. You and your partners' thinking throughout the entire case--suspicions (right or wrong), predictions-- essentially, a summary of your ideas!
2. Important hints (foreshadowing) throughout the novel that help prove the solution to the mystery, but also the red herrings
 3. Motive for the the game in the first place. Why did Sam Westing set up this elaborate game?

Can YOU Win The Westing Game?

Today's session is set up so that you and your partner can have one last stab at solving the case before everything (well, mostly everything) is revealed.

The setup:

 I have key "puzzle pieces" from the story. I will not give them to you all at once.






(yes, just like the bread crumbs)










 In fact, I will only give you a puzzle piece if you and your partner request it (if I were artsier, I would have cut out actual puzzle pieces...oh well). Here's the catch: not all pieces clearly fit together. You still have to make accurate interpretations of the puzzle pieces based on what you know about the characters and the story.

The object: to win.

Just for fun...

I'm hoping one of you is able to figure out the Westing Game (the game) before the end. This won't give anything away, but it might help some of you who are especially engaged.

Here's a copy of Sam Westing's Will. Oh, and while you're reading, here's some music...

Chapters 21-24

Please read 21-24 by tomorrow. You are still together with your detective partner. I've decided that you may stay together in your groups and that Friday's reading check will only impact whether or not you get to work in a group for the final project.

Activity: Reread the will on your own. Assume that the key to solving the puzzle is within the will. After you have silently read the will, discuss areas of importance and why you think they hold the key.

Be sure to update logs and begin thinking (if you already haven't been doing so) about the BIG questions: What is the solution to Sam Westing's game? Who will win? Who took Sam Westing's life? Why was this game set up in the first place (is there more than just money?)

Report #3

Compose your updated predictions. Consider people's true identities, motives, or new clues.

Office Work

Please ponder and write on the following:

Are the lies characters tell considered red herrings? Explain your response.

Red Herrings

HW: Tonight, please skim through what you have read so far. Decide on a few clues that might be there to mislead you as a reader. This is called a red herring. Choose one of the red herrings and design a cut out that represents it. On the back, write down the clue and why you believe it is a red herring. 

NOTE: When searching for clues, feel free to focus on clues that not all characters are aware of. Remember, you have a birds eye view of the entire story and have more knowledge than any one character.  

 

Red Herring: a clue that is meant to mislead you

Interrogating The Suspects

Report 2: What's the significance of "America The Beautiful" to the story?


Special Assignment: As detectives, you have to ask the right questions to get the desired information. You have been assigned a suspect. Please compose 5 questions to ask that suspect. Leave about 4 or 5 lines in between each question.

Inspiration for an interrogation: picture, film noir scene.

You will then receive someone else's questions. You are to answer the questions IN CHARACTER, even if that means somewhat avoiding a straight forward response if you think an honest response will incriminate you.

Checklists, putting up predictions, and reading forward!

Agenda: For First 20 minutes

TAKE OUT CHARACTER ATTRIBUTE WEB. Begin filling this out while I take care of some administrative tasks (collecting notes, posting predictions). If you're focused, we'll play a short game to test your knowledge of the characters.

1. Hand in questions from 9, 10, and 11.
2. Post predictions on wall
3. Complete chapter 12 questions verbally

You should have completed all tasks for the first THREE investigations. Make sure of this on your detective checklist.

LAST 15-20 minutes will be spent independently reading.

HW: Chapter 13-16 by Tuesday, May 13

(17-20 by Friday, May 16)

Developing Theories

Choose two of the characters that you symbolically represented.
-Write a PLAUSIBLE theory for both characters--how are they involved, what makes you suspicious?
-Come and present your idea to the rest of the department
-Also be prepared to answered this question: Which character are you most willing to discount as a suspect and WHY!!!?

(only 5 minutes will be given for this)

 HW: Out of the 8, choose the two characters who are your prime suspects. Symbolically represent each of your two prime suspect’s connection to Sam Westing. Then, symbolically represent their motive for killing Sam Westing.

HW 5/8

HW: Out of the 8, choose the two characters who are your prime suspects. Symbolically represent each of your two prime suspect’s connection to Sam Westing. Then, symbolically represent their motive for killing Sam Westing.

HW 5/7

HW: Choose 8 heirs. Symbolically represent each character (this could be a color, an object/clue, a literal drawing). Feel free to represent either physical attributes or personal traits.

Interrogating the Suspects (sort of...)

The first 15 minutes of this session is critical! You must focus and update logs carefully and accurately. Take special note of who is paired with who, what assumptions each of the pairs of heirs make of their clues, and "Again and Again" behaviors. Don't waste time.


Captain's Meeting: Provide accurate information of the heirs/suspects and receive your captain's bonus!!!



HW: Have all characters cut out and labeled.

Pancakes

Late Night Email: It’s late at night. You’re rifling through all the case information in your mind. Suddenly you get an idea! Sydelle’s notebook!! Could this be the key to the investigation?

You begin composing an email to your partner that answers this question: Who took Sydelle’s notebook? Is this even significant to the case? Why or why not?

(Special assignment continuation)

HW: Complete chapter 11 investigation notes

Report #1

First Five Minutes: Office Task:You and your partner must work together to report your initial predictions, using evidence you've collected thus far. Please write on a separate piece of paper. Only one between you and your detective partner. Label it: REPORT #1.


Captain's Meeting: All detective pairs must participate to receive credit. We are a department! (Not just one or two people). This will count for your investigation notes for "Investigation #2"


Special Assignment from the Captain (Part 1): Identify the suspects. You've been given sketches of each suspect (each heir). Accurately identify each one based on what you know about them. Character logs should help you. Cut them out and write their name on the back.


HW: Please read through Chapter 12. Do not GO BEYOND! (remember, you signed a contract). You will split the investigation notes.

Your Day at the Office

Please hand in your investigation notes from chapters 1-4

Then, you will update character logs for 5 minutes.

Office Task:You and your partner must work together to report your initial predictions, using evidence you've collected thus far. Please write on a separate piece of paper. Only one between you and your detective partner. Label it: REPORT #1.

You may continue reading. Remember our goal is to be through investigation 2 by tomorrow.

HW: Read through chapter 8.