Students read and analyze the conclusion of “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.” After a whole-class analysis of how the conclusion to the story develops Claudette’s character and refines central ideas, students work in small groups to begin an analysis of the author’s choice to structure the story using the five stages described in the epigraphs from The Jesuit Handbook on Lycanthropic Culture Shock.
1. Review Homework Responses
(Reread Stage 4, pages 240–245 (from “Stage 4: as a more thorough understanding of the host culture is acquired” to “As far as I can recollect, that was our last communal howl”), and respond to the following prompt: The Stage 4 epigraph states, “As a more thorough understanding of the host culture is acquired, your students will begin to feel more comfortable in their new environment.” How accurate is this statement? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.)
2. Review Vocabulary
- sloe-eyed (adj.) – having very dark eyes
3. Read closely
In this passage, analyze how the conclusion to the story develops Claudette’s character and refines central ideas.
- Read “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves” by Karen Russell, pp. 245–246 (from “Stage 5: At this point your students are able to interact effectively” to “I said, telling my first human lie. ‘I’m home’”). In this passage, Claudette returns to visit her family in the cave and notices how she has become different from her family members as a result of her time at St. Lucy’s.
4. Answer questions
Answers can be simple phrases, you do not need to use full sentences — I’m primarily assessing your comprehension of the text.
- What does The Jesuit Handbook on Lycanthropic Culture Shock predict will happen to the girls in Stage 5?
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How do the descriptions of food develop the relationship between Claudette and her family?
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How do Claudette’s family members react when they see her?
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How do Claudette’s interactions with her family develop a central idea of the text?
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To what extent does Claudette “find it easy to move between cultures” as described in the Stage 5 epigraph? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your claim.
5. Short essay response (quick write)
- Lesson 13. Why is Claudette’s statement “‘I’m home’” her “first human lie”?
Include this lesson’s vocabulary wherever possible to develop the topic through the use of well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient evidence. Use your Short Response Rubric and Checklist to guide your written responses. Send in your responses to eharris@tec-coop.org!
6. Lycanthropic Culture Shock Stage Analysis
Use the Stage Analysis Tool to answer the following: How is the whole short story organized or structured?
7. Homework
Write a paragraph in response to the following prompt:
Review Stage 5. List each of the details of Claudette’s interaction with her mother. How does this interaction develop Claudette’s character?
Use this lesson’s vocabulary wherever possible in your written response. Use the Short Response Rubric and Checklist to guide your written response.