So, the fun part of this unit is the ever evolving short stories we can use to teach the basics of short stories and literary elements of plot, characterization, setting, figurative language, etc. I am uploading my most recent unit, but at the end I have included various stories with handouts that I have used in the past. If you awesome teachers out there have stories and activities that you have used and would like to share (for free), please send me an email with your lessons.

Short StoryUnit Plan
English 9th grade
By Kimberly Baker
VDOE Standards	9.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of fictional texts including narratives, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama. d)   Compare and contrast the use of rhyme, rhythm, sound, imagery, and other literary devices to convey a message and elicit the reader’s emotion. e)   Analyze the cultural or social function of a literary text. f)   Explain the relationship between the author’s style and literary effect. i)    Analyze how the author’s specific word choices and syntax impact the author’s purpose.  j)    Make inferences and draw conclusions using references from the text(s) for support.      m) Use reading strategies to monitor comprehension throughout the reading process
Essential Questions	How do authors create meaning in stories? How do stories reflect conflict and characterization seen in real life?
Timeline:
Day One	Introduce Short Story unit with power point and vocab
Days Two-Three	Read “The Chaser” and complete the Plot Map
Day Four	Write a persuasive essay on “The Chaser” – What is love? Argue for a particular definition.
Day Five and Six	Read “Lob’s Girl” and complete a character chart Another lesson idea
Day Seven- Eight	Read “Survivor” by Stephen King and analyze for characterization and theme. *This is a controversial story for a classroom as the main character struggles with heroin and uses profanity.  BUT, the kids really connect with the story and led to some great conversations.
Day Nine	Read “Blues Ain’t No Mockingbird” and analyze setting and imagery as it adds to the story
Day Ten	Create a storyboard that shows where students recreate significant images or settings in the story, complete with cited quotes from the story.  Under the quoted image, students write a brief explanation of why they chose  as they did
Day 11-14.	Instead of a standard test, the culmination of this unit was for students to write their own creative short stories that incorporate the aspects of a story learned in this unit. Students will write, edit, peer edit, and produce a complete short story. – Handout
Other Short Story Possibilities:
Broken Chain by Gary  Soto	Story and Group Writing Assignment
Scarlet Ibis	Story, handout, post reading activities
Test	Story – great for students to see figurative language
Lamb to Slaughter	Story – Bit of a horror story that has some nice irony
Cask of Amontillado	Story – Bit of a horror story that has some nice irony practice and application handout
The Lady or the Tiger	Story with cool mock trial activity
The Interlopers	Story with characterization charts you can use as a jigsaw activity Article with similar theme for comparison
The Lottery	Story with questions and post-reading activity
The Most Dangerous Game	Story with questions and chart of literary devices
The Tell-Tale Heart	Story with questions and irony handout
The Necklace	Story with Reading Questions
The Gift of the Mag	Story with Critical Questions