Teachers are using the Lenny Moss books to
promote reading and engage their students.
promote reading and engage their students.
Encouraging students to read and to think
critically about their world are a teacher's
greatest challenges. Academics in several
programs have used the Lenny Moss novels in
class because the books:
To order the first Lenny Moss novel at a low price of
$9.95/book, plus shippng,
Shipping is free if ordered in any of the 5 New
York Boroughs. Plus, the author will be happy to
provide a free writing workshop
for your students organized around the reading
critically about their world are a teacher's
greatest challenges. Academics in several
programs have used the Lenny Moss novels in
class because the books:
- Are an easy read, even for ESL and GED-
prep students - The students identify with and grow to love
the multi-cultural mix of working class
characters - The mystery format pulls the reader along on
a roller coaster ride: teachers never have to
worry that their students will not keep
- The novels explore several important social
themes, such as racism, unemployment, union
representation, sexism, hyper-competition, and
the suffering of critically ill patients.
To order the first Lenny Moss novel at a low price of
$9.95/book, plus shippng,
- Fax a purchase order to 718 270 3870,
Attn. Tim Sheard, or - Click on the buy button and order via
credit card, or - Download an invoice (INVOICE) & email
the order to: timsheard@optonline.net
Shipping is free if ordered in any of the 5 New
York Boroughs. Plus, the author will be happy to
provide a free writing workshop
for your students organized around the reading
LESSON PLAN FOR
THIS WON’T HURT A BIT
1. CHARACTERS & PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Lenny has many friends among the hospital workers. They
love and respect him, and they are willing to help him in his
murder investigation.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
WRITING EXERCISE:
Write a 1-2 page account of a problem you had on the job. Describe the role of any co-worker who helped
you with your problem.
Lenny and his co-workers have some things in common that unite them, and some things not in common
that divide them. They often bend the rules to help one another. They recognize a common threat to their
job: Security Chief Joe West.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a 1-2 paage essay on what things you have in common with your work mates or with your fellow
students. Describe the things that unite you and the things that divide you. Consider what you might do to
build solidarity within the group.
2. CONFLICT WITH MANAGEMENT
Security Chief Joe West is out to get rid of Lenny Moss. He watches to see that the the hospital workers
punch a time clock when they come to and leave work. He is ready to write someone up and fire them for
violating the rules.
Unlike Joe West, Lenny is totally dedicated to helping his co-workers, even with problems that are not
strictly related to the contract.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
WRITING EXERCISE:
Write a short essay on the question: Would I risk my job to help a union steward or a friend with a work
issue? If I would not, why not? What would happen if workers never supported their union steward? What
would happen to the union? To work conditions? To your job?
3. RACE RELATIONS AT WORK AND IN AMERICA
A security guard searched Regis Devoe’s bag at the exit but did not search the white doctor’s bag. Devoe
was guilty of “walking while black.”
STUDY QUESTIONS
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a short essay on the question: Is multi-racial unity unusual in America? If so, why is that? Describe
your friends and their different backgrounds. Outside school and work, are all your friends from the same
ethnic group? If not, why not? If so, how did you come to have such friends?
4. STORY TELLING
The crime novel is built around a “sympathetic character with a problem". In solving the problem (finding
the killer) the protagonist (Lenny) seeks help among the hospital workers. Some help him; some hinder
him. In the end Lenny solves his problem.
STUDY QUESTONS
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a short story with a sympathetic character working on a problem. It may be a true story based on an
experience at work or in your neighborhood, or it may be a fictional story. Let the protagonist encounter
people along the way who sometimes help and sometime hinder the hero.
Your protagonist may be successful (a “comedy”), may fail “a tragedy”), or may fail at solving the original
problem but may succeed in something else. This makes a complex ending (“bitter sweet”) – a powerful
form of story telling.
Read your story in class and ask your fellow students to tell you if they related to your protagonist and
your other characters. What made it "real" for them? What did not ring true?
How many times will you have to rewrite your story based on feedback from students and teacher before it
is "finished'? Once? Twice? Twenty times? The answer is: just enough to make it perfect.
THIS WON’T HURT A BIT
1. CHARACTERS & PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Lenny has many friends among the hospital workers. They
love and respect him, and they are willing to help him in his
murder investigation.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
- Why do so many people like Lenny? Do you know anybody like Lenny on your job?
- Why do they help him with his investigation, even though it puts their job in jeopardy?
- Lenny is not tall or good looking, but women seem to go for him. Why is that? Would you want to
date Lenny? What do you look for in a partner in life/soul mate/lover/friend?
WRITING EXERCISE:
Write a 1-2 page account of a problem you had on the job. Describe the role of any co-worker who helped
you with your problem.
Lenny and his co-workers have some things in common that unite them, and some things not in common
that divide them. They often bend the rules to help one another. They recognize a common threat to their
job: Security Chief Joe West.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
- What is more important in their lives: their common interests or their differences?
- Why does Jose West always make trouble for Lenny and his friends?
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a 1-2 paage essay on what things you have in common with your work mates or with your fellow
students. Describe the things that unite you and the things that divide you. Consider what you might do to
build solidarity within the group.
2. CONFLICT WITH MANAGEMENT
Security Chief Joe West is out to get rid of Lenny Moss. He watches to see that the the hospital workers
punch a time clock when they come to and leave work. He is ready to write someone up and fire them for
violating the rules.
Unlike Joe West, Lenny is totally dedicated to helping his co-workers, even with problems that are not
strictly related to the contract.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
- Why does Lenny care so much about his co-workers?
- Why is Gary Tuttle, an RN, less enthusiastic about helping Lenny than the other hospital workers?
- What is the role of the union steward on the job?
- Do you think unions help the workers? Do you think they hurt the company? Why do you think so?
WRITING EXERCISE:
Write a short essay on the question: Would I risk my job to help a union steward or a friend with a work
issue? If I would not, why not? What would happen if workers never supported their union steward? What
would happen to the union? To work conditions? To your job?
3. RACE RELATIONS AT WORK AND IN AMERICA
A security guard searched Regis Devoe’s bag at the exit but did not search the white doctor’s bag. Devoe
was guilty of “walking while black.”
STUDY QUESTIONS
- Was Devoe justified in arguing with the doctor?
- Why did the police quickly accuse Regis Devoe of murder? Were they justified? Should they have
looked at other suspects? - How dID Lenny develop a circle of friends that is multi-racial and multi-ethnic?
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a short essay on the question: Is multi-racial unity unusual in America? If so, why is that? Describe
your friends and their different backgrounds. Outside school and work, are all your friends from the same
ethnic group? If not, why not? If so, how did you come to have such friends?
4. STORY TELLING
The crime novel is built around a “sympathetic character with a problem". In solving the problem (finding
the killer) the protagonist (Lenny) seeks help among the hospital workers. Some help him; some hinder
him. In the end Lenny solves his problem.
STUDY QUESTONS
- Why do we feel sympathy for Lenny and his quest, and anger for Joe West?
- What kind of hero brings out your sympathy? Why do you care about him?
- What other problems drive the stories that you have read?
WRITING EXERCISE
Write a short story with a sympathetic character working on a problem. It may be a true story based on an
experience at work or in your neighborhood, or it may be a fictional story. Let the protagonist encounter
people along the way who sometimes help and sometime hinder the hero.
Your protagonist may be successful (a “comedy”), may fail “a tragedy”), or may fail at solving the original
problem but may succeed in something else. This makes a complex ending (“bitter sweet”) – a powerful
form of story telling.
Read your story in class and ask your fellow students to tell you if they related to your protagonist and
your other characters. What made it "real" for them? What did not ring true?
How many times will you have to rewrite your story based on feedback from students and teacher before it
is "finished'? Once? Twice? Twenty times? The answer is: just enough to make it perfect.
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STUDENTS AT STATEN ISLAND COLLEGE'S
GED/COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM,
WORKFORCE1, ARE GOBBLING UP THIS
WON'T BURT A BIT.
GED/COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM,
WORKFORCE1, ARE GOBBLING UP THIS
WON'T BURT A BIT.
I had a great time talking with the students,
answering their questions and talking about the
issues that come up in the Lenny Moss books:
personal relationships, conflict at work, social
injustice - racism and class inequalities. It was a
learning experience for me as much as for the
students.
answering their questions and talking about the
issues that come up in the Lenny Moss books:
personal relationships, conflict at work, social
injustice - racism and class inequalities. It was a
learning experience for me as much as for the
students.
| Students & teachers: post your questions and comments about Lenny Moss and his friends at: lennymoss.blogspot.com |