Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:

Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

Unit Plan for The Gift of the Magi

Grade: 9
Unit Topic: Determining theme and central idea and creating a summary for a text.
Course/Discipline: English Language Arts
Approximate Time Required: (50 minute class periods)
Central Focus of the Unit:
The central focus of this unit will be to understand the short story, The Gift of the Magi,
by using and applying theme, central idea, and summarization skills. These skills will be
developed through class time using group and individual activities. The skills will also be
developed by using well known children's stories as examples to help students better
understand the concepts.
General Standards from NCSCOS:
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over
the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details;
provide an objective summary of the text.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes: (SWBAT = Students will be able to)
1. SWBAT determine a central idea from the text.
2. SWBAT determine a theme from the text.
3. SWBAT explain how the theme was developed in the text.
4. SWBAT provide an objective summary of the text.
5. SWBAT provide specific details from the text to show how the theme was developed.
Lesson Outlines:
Text: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Day 1: Read the story
1) Warm up activity: write about an ironic situation that you have been a part of or
witnessed in your life. ~10 minutes
2) Review the concept of irony. ~5 minutes
3) Introduce the story and allow 15-20 minutes for students to read it.
4) Class discussion about the story. ~10-15 minutes
a) Make students provide details that can be combined to make a summary.
b) Students write the summary down as we talk about it (this is their notes).
Day 2: Theme
1) Warm up activity: Define theme and determine a lesson to be learned from a character
in the story. ~10 minutes
2) Review the story and teach theme. ~10 minutes

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

3) Theme activity: Practice finding theme in childhood stories. Students choose the stories
they loved as kids. ~ 20 minutes
4) Exit ticket: Have students revise the theme that they came up with during warm up and
take that up as formative assessment. ~10 minutes
Day 3: How theme was developed in the story
1) Warm up: Students find the most important moments in the text that they think relate to
the theme. ~10 minutes
2) Class discussion of the main events in the story. Create a list of these events to refer to
when discussing theme. ~10 minutes
3) Students break into groups and each group takes one event from the list to determine
how this event helps develop the theme of the text. ~10 minutes
4) Then the class will come back together and each group will share how they came to
their conclusions. ~20 minutes
Day 4: Central Idea and the difference between CI and Theme
1) Warm up: Explain the difference between theme and central idea. ~5 minutes
2) Define central idea as a class and compare it to our definition for theme. ~10 minutes
3) Find central idea in childrens stories from day 2 as a class. ~10-15 minutes
4) Find the central idea in The Gift of the Magi in groups. ~5-10 minutes
5) Come together as a class to create an overall central idea. ~5 minutes
6) Exit ticket: Compare theme and central idea that the class decided on for Gift of the
Magi. ~5-10 minutes (collect for formative assessment)
Day 5: Summarization and review
1) Warm up: Students will summarize The Gift of the Magi. ~5 minutes
2) As a class, review summarization and find important details and events. ~10 minutes
3) Practice summarization in groups by listing the three most important events in the text.
~15 minutes
4) Come back together as a class to decide on the three most important events from the
text. ~10 minutes
5) Exit ticket: Individually review by restating theme and central idea and creating a
summary of The Gift of the Magi. ~10 minutes
Day 6: Review
1) Quick class review of the story. ~10 minutes
2) Begin and work on performance assessment in class. Students will be using
storyboardthat.com to create a comic summarizing the text. ~40 minutes
3) If students finish early they will work on reviewing for the test by using a study guide.
Day 7: Test Day!
1) Allow entire class period for test.
2) Teacher may decide what to do if students finish early based on particular classes.
Procedures and Activities:
1. Review/learn what theme, central idea, summarization and irony are and where they can
be found in the story.

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

2. Connecting the concepts to childhood stories to help understand them within The Gift of
the Magi
3. Individual work to understand the concepts
4. Group work to understand the concepts
5. Class discussions to understand the concepts
Instructional Aids or Resources:
The GIft of the Magi by O. Henry
Childrens stories of the students choice
Storyboardthat.com
Evaluation:
1) Group work
2) Exit tickets
3) Performance assessment
4) Final test
Table of Specifications (TOS):
Blooms Taxonomy
Learning Outcomes

Central Idea

Remembering

Understandin
g

TF#1

MC#1

Theme

TF#2, MC#3

Developing
Theme

TF#3

Summary

MC#5, TF#4,
TF#6

Details that
form Theme

MC#6. TF#5,
TF#7

MC=Multiple Choice

Applying

Analyzing

Evaluatin
g

SA#4,
MC#7
MC#2

SA#5

SA#1, MC#4

MC#8
SA#2
SA#3

SA=Short Answer

Creating

TF=True/False

Performance
assessment
E#1

E=Essay

Summative Assessment (clearly identify the items you used from other sources):
Directions For the Test: There are multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions,
and an essay question on this test. Each section has specific directions so make sure you read

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

them before you start each section. Point values for each set of questions are written within the
directions.
Multiple Choice Directions: R
ead each question carefully and choose the best answer choice.
Clearly mark your answer. Multiple choice questions worth 1 point each.
1. What is a central idea from The Gift of the Magi?
a. Love is selfish
b. True love makes sacrifices
c. Value of possessions
d. If someone does not sacrifice for you, they do not love you
2. According to the text which is the most important?
a. Possessions
b. Family heirlooms
c. Your appearance
d. Love
3. *Which line from the text supports the theme of the story?
a. Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles
b. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them.
c. Lets put our Christmas presents away and keep em a while. Theyre too nice to
use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.
d. Be good to me, for it went for you.
4. In the ending, what did the author compare the couple to?
a. The Magi
b. Selfish people
c. Selfless people
d. Romeo and Juliet
5. Put the following statements in chronological order based on the text.
___Della sold her hair
___Jim gives Della The Combs that she had worshipped
___Della sobs about their financial state
___After receiving the chain for his watch, Jim recognizes the irony in their situation
__Della attends to the mammoth task of fixing her hair
6. The author states that life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles. Which one did the
author say was predominating?
a. Sobs
b. Sniffles
c. Smiles
7. *Which word best describes Jim and Della's relationship with each other? (Commercial)
a. Their relationship is selfish.

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

b. Their relationship is loving.

c. Their relationship is thoughtless.
8. *Why does O. Henry consider the couple foolish as well as wise?
a. They are foolish to love each other.
b. They are foolish to love someone who is so poor.
c. They each make a seemingly foolish sacrifice for a wise reason.
* Questions marked with an asterisk came from commercial sources. Their citations can be
found in the answer key.
True/False Directions: Read each statement and decide if it is true or false. Circle the word
true or false to mark your answer for each question. Make sure your answer is clearly
marked. True/False questions worth 1 point each.
1. True or False: Della was not willing to sacrifice a piece of her identity in return for Jims
happiness.
2. True or False: A theme of the story is that you should never make sacrifices for the
people you love.
3. True or False: By selling his watch Jim sacrificed a valuable heirloom for the person he
loved.
4. True or False: Throughout the story Della is constantly concerned about their financial
state.
5. *True or False: Della cut her hair even though she was worried that Jim would no longer
think she was pretty.
6. True or False? Della sells her hair to buy Jim a gift.
7. *True or False? Jim sells his watch to buy Della a locket.
* Questions marked with an asterisk came from commercial sources. Their citations can be
found in the answer key.
Short Answer Directions: Read the question and develop an appropriate answer for the
question. Make sure your answer is well organized and f ully answers all parts of the question.
Your responses should be between 2 and 5 sentences long. If the question ask for a list you
may write your answer using bullets, you do n
ot have to use complete sentences. Short answer
questions worth 2 points each.
1. How did Jims reaction to Dellas haircut show his love?

2. List the three most important events in the story.

3. Describe the irony in the ending. Explain why you believe this is a central idea using specific
details from the text.

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

4. What is one Central Idea from the text?

5. Explain how the couples socioeconomic status affects the theme of the short story.

Essay Directions: Write AT LEAST 3-4 paragraphs answering the question. The essay is worth
8 points. Make sure your essay answers all parts of the question.
1. *If Della had had short hair in the beginning of the story, what do you think that she
would have done? Why do you think so?

* Questions marked with an asterisk came from commercial sources. Their citations can be
found in the answer key.
Link to assessment using technology tool:
https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/FFTAPR
Performance Assessment:
Directions: Create a comic strip using storyboardthat.com. Your comic should summarize the
whole story. Show elements that represent the theme and central idea that we have covered in
class. You must use at least 4 boxes to complete the comic. The comic should show your
understanding of the story and the concepts covered in class. Your summary must be accurate
to the story. However, you may design the comic with any kind of background and characters
that you choose; you are allowed to choose any kind of setting that you like as long as you
follow the same plot as the story. Remember that this is an individual project and you are trying
to show your understanding of the story. Be creative!
Preformance Assesment: http://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator
Performance Assessment Rubric:
0 Points
Content within
comic

The content
does not follow
the plot in the
story or no
comic was

1 Point

2 Points

There are some

elements of the
comic that
represent the
story but 3-4

Most of the
content from the
story is covered
in the comic but
1-2 major parts

3 Points
The content in
the comic fully
represents the
storyline of
The Gift of the

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

submitted.

major parts
were left out.

were left out.

Magi in the
students own
representations.
Students can
(but do not have
to) choose a
different setting
for the story.

Summary of text

The text and

visuals in the
comic do not
accurately
represent the
story or no
comic was
submitted.

The text and

visuals in the
comic
somewhat
represent the
story but most of
the details are
incorrectly
represented.

The text and

visuals in the
comic represent
the story but
some of the
details are
incorrectly
represented.

The text and

visuals in the
comic
accurately
summarize the
story.

Representation
of Theme

The comic does

not show the
theme at all or
no comic was
submitted.

There are some

elements of the
theme but not
enough to
effectively
communicate
the theme.

The comic
somewhat
communicates
the theme of
The Gift of the
Magi.

The comic fully

encompasses
the theme of
The Gift of the
Magi.

Representation
of Central Idea

The comic does

not represent
the central idea
or no comic was
submitted.

There are some

elements of
Central Idea
within the comic
but enough to
effectively
communicate
the central idea.

The comic
contains most
of, but not all,
elements of the
central idea
from The Gift of
the Magi

The comic
completely
communicates
the central idea
of The Gift of
the Magi

Organization
and clarity

No comic was
submitted.

There are
multiple setting
changes that
distract from the
comic. The
comic is
disorganized
and/or difficult to
understand.

The majority of
the comic is
cohesive and
understandable
with a few
elements that
cause
distractions or
confusion to the
reader.

The design of
the comic is fluid
and does not
distract from the
plot. The comic
is organized and
there are no
mistakes that
could confuse
the reader.

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

Length

No comic was
submitted.

The comic has 2

or fewer boxes.

The comic is
only 3 boxes.

The comic is an
appropriate
length which is
at least 4 boxes.

Grading Guide and Rubric:

Answer key:
Multiple Choice:
1. What is a central idea from The Gift of the Magi?
a. Love is selfish
b. True love makes sacrifices
c. Value of possessions
d. If someone does not sacrifice for you, they do not love you
2. According to the text which is the most important?
a. Possessions
b. Family heirlooms
c. Your appearance
d. Love
3. Which line from the text supports the theme of the story?
a. Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles
b. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them.
c. Lets put our Christmas presents away and keep em a while. Theyre too
nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your
combs.
d. Be good to me, for it went for you.
Adapted from: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/releasedforms
(English II EOC Question 9)
4. In the ending, what did the author compare the couple to?
a. The Magi
b. Selfish people
c. Selfless people
d. Romeo and Juliet
5. Put the following statements in chronological order based on the text.
_2__Della sold her hair
_5__Jim gives Della The Combs that she had worshipped
_1__Della sobs about their financial state
_4__After receiving the chain for his watch, Jim recognizes the irony in their situation
_3_Della attends to the mammoth task of fixing her hair

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

6. The author states that life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles. Which one did the
a. author say was predominating?
b. Sobs
c. Sniffles
d. Smiles
7. Which word best describes Jim and Della's relationship with each other? (Commercial)
a. Their relationship is selfish.
b. Their relationship is loving.
c. Their relationship is thoughtless.
"The Gift of The Magi" Self-Test. (2007). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from
http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?wcprefix=epa
8. Why does O. Henry consider the couple foolish as well as wise?
a. They are foolish to love each other.
b. They are foolish to love someone who is so poor.
c. They each make a seemingly foolish sacrifice for a wise reason.
"The Gift of The Magi" Self-Test. (2007). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from
http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?wcprefix=epa
True/False
1. True or False: Della was not willing to sacrifice a piece of her identity in return for Jims
happiness.
2. True or False: A theme of the story is that you should never make sacrifices for the
people you love.
3. True or False: By selling his watch Jim sacrificed a valuable heirloom for the person he
loved.
4. True or False: Throughout the story Della is constantly concerned about their financial
state.
5. True or False: Della cut her hair even though she was worried that Jim would no longer
think she was pretty.
6. True or False? Della sells her hair to buy Jim a gift.
Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. (2005). Elements of Literature Annotated Teacher's Edition
(3rd ed.). Austin, TX: A Harcourt Education Company.
7. True or False? Jim sells his watch to buy Della a locket.
Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. (2005). Elements of Literature Annotated Teacher's Edition
(3rd ed.). Austin, TX: A Harcourt Education Company.
Short Answer:
1. How did Jims reaction to Dellas haircut show his love?
He hugs her and tells her that nothing like a haircut, a shave, or a shampoo
could make me like my girl any less. He makes sure that she knows he loves her
no matter what length her hair is.
2. List the three most important events in the story.

Summative Assessment, Performance Project, and Rubric

Group Members Names:
Monica Clemmons & Sam Linnell

1) Della sells her hair

2) Della buys Jim a chain for his watch
3) Jim gives Della the combs for her hair
3. Describe the irony in the ending.
Della and Jim both sacrificed their valuable possessions for each other. Della cut
and sold her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch but Jim sold his watch to buy
Della expensive combs for her hair.
4. What is one Central Idea from the text? Explain why you believe this is a central idea using
specific details from the text.
Both Della and Jim give up their only valuable possessions to buy something nice
for the other.
Della struggles with making the decision to cut her hair which shows that even
when you love someone it is difficult to sacrifice a part of yourself.
5. Explain how the couples socioeconomic status affects the theme of the short story.
Because the couple was poor, they could not afford to buy Christmas presents for
each other without sacrificing one of their own valuable possessions. Had the
couple been richer, they would not have had to sacrifice something in order
to get the other one a present. Had the couple not been poor the reader would
not have seen their unconditional, sacrificial love.
Essay:
1. If Della had had short hair in the beginning of the story, what do you think that she would
have done? Why do you think so?
Answers may vary but this is a possible example:
She may have made a homemade gift that showed her love for Jim. This would
have expressed her love but in a way she could afford.
She could have cooked Jim his favorite dinner and made the night special for Jim
based on his favorite things to do.
Created at Lord Fairfax Community College
https://lfcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/The-Gift-of-the-Magi-Questions.pdf