Author Biography:

http://books.scholastic.com/teachers/authorsandbooks/authorstudies/authorhome.jsp?authorID=217&collateralID=5312&displayName=Biography

The Book  

Meet Mr. Pignati, a lonely old man with a beer belly and an awful secret. He’s the Pigman, and he’s got a great big twinkling smile. When John and Lorraine, two high school sophomores, meet Mr. Pignati, they learn his while sad, zany story. They tell it right here in this book – the truth, and nothing but the truth – no matter how many people it shocks or hurts. (from the back cover of the book)

Introduction

Look at the cover of the book: What kind of person might a "pigman" be? What can you tell about the two people on the cover? What season is it?

Agree or Disagree:

1. Most adults just don’t remember what it was like to be young.
2. Parents should trust their children.
3. Teenagers shouldn’t drink alcohol at all.
4. There’s no harm in a few practical jokes.
5. A person can’t be used unless he lets himself be used.
6. No one can really force you to do anything you don’t want to do.
7. A child learns his values from his parents.
8. Your life it what you make of it – nothing more, nothing less.

Brainstorm a list of behaviors that might get a teenager in trouble with his or her parents. List a minimum of 5 and then rank them with the most severe being #1.

Brainstorm a list of ways older people in this country are exploited. List a minimum of 5 and then rank them with the worst exploitation being #1.

Themes: the importance of accepting responsibility for your actions and taking control of your life; old age as a return to youthful pleasures and innocence, how a bad home life influences teenagers)  

*The Pigman depicts the themes of family, relationships, friendships and responsibility.

Outline of Unit Activities

The web assignments are designed to supplement the teaching of The Pigman by Paul Zindel.  The web assignments consists of four activities. This unit asks students to consider the following questions:

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Overview

The assignments are organized on the assumption that students are participating in a unit of study in which The Pigman is core. It also assumes that students have access to the Internet at school--one computer in the classroom or library--or will have access at home.

Performance Standards

Specific criteria for evaluating each product may be found at the end of each student activity.

*The instructor will provide additional rubrics and forms outlining the assessment process.

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Student Activity 1                                 

Character Comparison

Students will create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the main characters and write a response to literature discussing the similarities and differences between the characters.

Venn Diagram 
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Student Activity 2                                 

Essay - Analysis of Symbolism

Student will attempt to explain in an expository essay the symbolism in the novel and make decisions about why Zindel included them. (Baboons and Pigs) 

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Student Activity 3 - Study Guide          

Vocabulary and Chapter Questions 

Students will answer the questions to help aid in comprehension.  The questions will be addressed in class discussions.

*Students are expected to hand in written or typed answers to the questions.  It is a good idea to add in additional comments and notes based on ideas brought up in class discussions.  Use different color ink to show that you have added information to develop your learning.

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Student Activity 4 - Written Expression

Writing Activities 

Students will have the opportunity to personally and critically respond to 6 writing assignments as they read the novel.  Responses must be submitted in typed or written format.  Students should be prepared to share their ideas with the class.

Final test

The final test will be an assortment of questions from your study guides, an assortment of vocabulary words, and passage identification.