INQUIRY-BASED+LESSON+WALTER+MITTY

In 1939, James Thurber wrote "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and based Walter's daydreams on the careers and occupations of that time. If Thurber were writing the story today, of what careers/occupations would Walter daydream during his day? After researching current careers and occupations that Thurber might have chosen, you will choose one career/occupation and write Walter's next daydream.

1. These links discuss the top careers of 2010. Read the information in the links. Occupations of 2010

2. From these links, choose five (5) careers/occupations that Thurber might choose for his character's next daydream. (If you already have a career/occupation in mind for Walter Mitty's next daydream, you may research it for one of your assigned five careers.)

3. Create a t-chart on a piece of paper. On one side of your t-chart, list the five (5) occupations. On the other side of the t-chart, for each occupation, list the following: a) salary b) education needed for career/occupation c) job skills d) experience needed e) any other relevant information you would need to know about that career

4. Extending the story of Walter Mitty, you will now write a modern "daydream" using one of the careers/occupations you researched, utilizing the information you now know about that career/occupation. You need to keep in mind that Walter Mitty always dreamed of posessing "power and skill" and "of being the hero". You will need to bring Walter out of the firing squad daydream and transistion him into the next daydream. Your work must be the length of one typed page.