Ordeal by Checque

Ordeal by Cheque
Group size: 2 or more_ Time:__ approx. 45 min.___
PURPOSE: This is a jigsaw activity that can be used to
promote the use various types of graphic organizers to facilitate reading. As a
result, it can be three activities in one: a Story Sequence, a Jigsaw, and a Character
web. It is also effective in creating group interaction through the delegation of
responsibilities and negotiation of meaning. Can be used as a reading and/or writing
activity.
FOCUS: Creation of a narrative through the use of critical thinking skills such as
inference and prediction, negotiation, and graphic organizers in group interaction.
OBJECTIVE: Create a situation where students use various strategies to sequence
and create a story. Introduce various graphic organizers as a way for learners to
organize and visualize information. In addition, it taps into the learners’ prior
knowledge to interpret a text and to ‘read between the lines”
MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Several copies of Ordeal by Cheque by Wuther Crue 1
• A KWL chart
• A Story Sequence Chart
• Character web
PROCEDURE:
Activity One:
1. Divide the learners into groups of 3-6
2. Have the learners sequence the checks and events in the story
3. The students will then use their own words to complete the Story sequence Chart
Activity Two: Jigsaw:
1. Divide the learners into groups
2. Give each person a K-W-L chart and each group a different third of the story
3. Have one person in the group read the story to the others in their group or they
can take turns reading it to each other.
4. Have them fill in the chart with the information from their aspect of the story
5. Have them regroup into new groups with one student from each of the original
group.
6. As a new group, have them discuss what they know about their sections of the
story and what they want to learn. Have the others tell what they know, and thus
they will be telling the whole story
Activity Three: Character Web
1. Divide the learners into groups
2. Have each group select one of the characters from the story

3. Using the Character Web Graphic organizer have them elaborate on their
character in fuller detail. Examples of of characteristics to be webbed are: what
they do, what they look like. who they interact with, what kind of people are
they,
4. After filling in the graphic organizer, have them write a description of the
character.
Extension Activity:
Although this activity is advanced and requires a certain amount of cultural
background, the gap between what the students know and what they need to know
to participate in this activity is ameliorated by the world wide exposure to American
Culture. A useful extension is to have the learners create a culturally appropriate
activity based on Ordeal by Cheque. An example is included that we call “Ordeal by
Credit Card.” This activity uses the same procedures as Ordeal by Cheque.
1
Crue, Wurther,(1932). Vanity Fair New York: Conde Nast Publications in Vacca, R & Vacca, J (1999).
Content Area Reading. New York: Longman.