Before Reading
Begin to Picture What May Happen
Read the About the Selection paragraphs on page 686. What do you learn about the character Laura from this section? Begin to imagine what Laura looks like, how she moves, and what her voice sounds like.
During Reading
Create Mind Pictures as You ReadL
1. Listen as your teacher reads the opening stage directions. Remember that stage directions describe how something should be performed on stage. Try to picture what the stage looks like as you listen. When your teacher stops reading, sketch or diagram the stage. In your own words, quickly describe the pictures you created in your mind.
2. Begin to read act 1 on your own. Keep making pictures in your head as you read. Think about what the characters look like, their movements, their tones of voice. Stop occasionally to make sketches or quick summaries of what you see in your mind.
Fix-Up Idea: Read Short Sections
Try reading act 1 in smaller sections. Think about reading each scene as a separate section. When you finish reading each section, talk with a few of your classmates about the section you just read. Talk about what action, symbol, emotion, or idea you found most striking in that section.
After Reading
Draw or Summarize Your Mind Pictures
With your group, discuss the following questions: How do other people's actions and tones match the mind movie you made? Talk about your different interpretations.