Are we interested in crime stories because we either identify with the victims or enjoy watching the rich suffer? Do we feel guilty and want someone to take our blame and let us feel innocent? Groups investigate how the author of "How Bernard Madoff Did It" supports his claims, then present their findings to the class.

Concepts

informational texts, text analysis, presenting, writing paragraphs, note-taking skills

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Have groups identify stories that they feel are examples of times the public either sided with the victim or the perpetrator

Classroom Considerations

• The jigsaw activity presumes class members have read both “True Crime: The Roots of an American Obsession" and “How Bernard Madoff Did It”
• This is the ninth in a 13-lesson unit that examines how authors structure informational texts and develop their ideas

Pros

• The eight-page packet includes a list of the Common Core standards addressed by the lesson, a vocabulary list, directions for the jigsaw activity, discussion questions with model responses, and a homework assignment

Cons

• Some readers may need additional support to keep abreast of their outside reading schedule

Common Core

RI.9-10.2 W.9-10.9.b SL.9-10.4 SL.9-10.6 L.9-10.1.a