Week 1
Lesson 1
Why the Short Story? and Discussion of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Discussion of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and Spar Debate Sparked by:
 Spar Statement: The most compelling aspect of The Tell-Tale Heart is Poe’s use of the first person narrator to relate his story.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above Statement. The power of this story comes from the characterization of the narrator exemplified through his dialogue. 
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Understanding Plot and Discussion of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville
Discussion of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville and Spar Debate sparked by: "I would prefer not to.: 
Spar Statement:  When we need assistance we should always still cling to our pride above all else.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. When we are vulnerable we need to put pride aside to accept the help we need to move forward.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Understanding Characterization and Discussion of The Lady with the Toy Dog 
Discussion of The Lady with the Toy Dog by Anton Chekhov and Spar Debate sparked by: “I do not understand…what do you want?”
Spar Statement:  People are usually honest with themselves over their plans and motivations. 
Position 1: People are usually honest with themselves over their plans and motivations. 
Position 2: People may have an awareness of their motivations but their subconscious moves them in a different direction. 
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Understanding Point of View and Discussion of The Mark on the Wall by V. Woolf
Discussion of The Mark on the Wall  and Spar Debate sparked by: The narrator in Woolf’s story is grounding herself in reality by noting the mark on the wall.
Spar Statement: Stream of consciousness thought can bring us a greater sense of stability, allowing our minds to wander and always return to a point of reference. 
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. Stream of consciousness thinking allows us to tap into our inner selves.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Understanding Setting and Discussion of When I Lay My Burden Down by M. Angelou 
Discussion of When I Lay My Burden Down by Maya Angelou and Spar Debate sparked by: “They took liberties in my Store that I would never dare.”
Spar Statement:  People are arrogant, cruel, unfeeling, harsh because of poor upbringing and lack of understanding of others.
Position 1: Agree with this statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with this statement. Cruelty is a part of who we are and can be sparked by jealousy or anger.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Understanding Theme and Discussion of Why I Live at the PO by Eudora Welty 
Discussion of Why I Live at the PO by Eudora Welty and Spar Debate sparked by: Spar Statement: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." —Leo Tolstoy
Spar Statement:
Sister and her family are very much like every family in the world in the way that they argue and unfairly side with Stella-Rondo. 
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. There is nothing even remotely familiar about the way that Sister and her family interact with each other.
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Understanding Style and Discussion of The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
Discussion of The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
and Spar Debate sparked by: “The garden-party will be a good excuse." 
Spar Statement:  We deserve to treat ourselves to the best no matter what the circumstances are for others.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. 
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Reading Like a Writer and Discussion of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
Discussion of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and Spar Debate sparked by: "It isn’t fair, it isn’t right." Mrs. Hutchinson
Spar Statement:
Given the opportunity people will truly think as individuals rather than thoughtlessly do the bidding of the herd.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement.  People will simply move unthinkingly with the herd. Explain.