School 391, Zedain M.B., an English

teacher31.01.2013.

Reading of English books as the way of English-speaking countries cultural studying. On the book “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’engle.

Books:•Fairy tale – сказка•Fantasy - фантастика•Detective story - детектив•Poetry - поэзия•Documental / historic literacy – документальная / историческая литература•Novel - роман •Play – пьеса I prefer reading ……..

Madeleine L’engle – the well-known American writer for teens

(1918-2007)• When was she born?

Madeleine was born on November 29th, 1918.• Where was she born?

She was born in New York.• What college did she attend? Where?

She attended Smith College in Massachusetts.• What did she do during her study?

She wrote plays and acted.• How many books has she written?

She has written over 60 books.• For what did she receive the Margaret

A. Edwards Award in 1998?

She received the Award for her lifetime contribution to writing for teens.

I learned to shut out the sound of the school and listen to the story or the poem I was writing.

I start with what I know with all five senses, what I have experienced, and then the imagination takes over and says, “But what if—” and the story is on.

[A Wrinkle in Time] combines devices of fairy tales, overtones of fantasy, the philosophy of great lives, the visions of science, and the warmth of a good family story. It is an original, vital, exciting book. Funny ideas, fearful images, amazing characters, and beautiful concepts sweep through it. And it is full of truth.

Ruth Hill, A Critical History of Children’s Literature

a plot – сюжет to publish - публиковатьa theme – тема an award - награда• When was “A Wrinkle in Time” first published?

“A Wrinkle in Time” was first published in 1962.• What are the main features of this book?

It mixes elements of 2 genres: fantasy and science-fiction. The author uses the scientific language in describing some parts of children’s journey.• What are the main themes of “A Wrinkle in Time”?

the idea of space exploration; the importance of love• Who is the father of the main character of “A Wrinkle in Time”?

He works as a physicist with a government. • Write down the names of book’s characters, which you have heard.

Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which• When did the book win a Newbery Medal?

The book won a Newbery Medal in 1963.

Human characters•Margaret "Meg" Murry

is the oldest child of scientists Alex and Kate Murry. Mathematically brilliant but less than adept at other subjects in school, Meg is unpopular around authority figures. • Charles Wallace Murry

is the youngest child. He is very smart and is the most extraordinary.• Calvin O'Keefe

is one of the popular boys in high school. He also likes Meg Murry.•Mrs. Murry

Meg's Mother is a microbiologist.• Sandy and Dennys Murry

are the middle children in the Murry family. They are 10 years old.•Mr. Murry

Meg's father is a physicist, researching the mysteries of the space/time continuum, trying to travel between planets. He has been missing for some time as the novel opens.

Immortal characters

•Mrs Whatsit

is the youngest of the Mrs Ws (despite being over 2 billion years old), and the best of the three at interacting with the children.• Mrs Who

She is seen speaking in Latin, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese. •Mrs Which

Mrs Which's physical appearance is not set; she appears as a light most of the time. She is the one who usually provides the group, most especially Meg, with the clues the children need to solve the problems encountered during their travels.

.

Mrs. Whatsit

Meg

Mrs. Which

Mrs. Who

Mrs. Whatsit

Sandy / Dennis

happy

athletic

well-adjusted

Charles Wallace

The Dark Thing

Calvin

Mr. Murry

You have received a letter from your pen-friend Ann who started to read the book earlier than you. Open brackets and use the verbs in an appropriate form (the Past Simple or the Past Continuous).

… After they had started their travelling, Meg and others (go)

went to the dark planet of Camazotz which was entirely dominated by the Dark Thing. Meg's father was trapped there. They (discover) discovered that all the inhabitants behaved in a mechanistic way and seemed to be all under the control of a single mind. While they (stay) were staying on Camazotz, Charles Wallace (get) got into a big trouble. But they (meet) met their father! And he (do) did everything he could to escape from Camazotz, but Charles Wallace was left behind, still under the influence of the Dark Thing.

I really hope that all of them are going to be ok in the very end of the book!

Best wishes,

Ann.

Home task: Write an essay on the following question: “Would I like to read “A Wrinkle in Time?” (10 -25 sentences).

•What do I know about “A Wrinkle in Time”?•Who are the main characters of the book? Do I like them? Do I want to learn more about them while reading? Why?•Reasons for reading (or against reading) “A Wrinkle in Time”.