Themes in Novels:
A Writing Exercise
(Grade 9)
I. Standards and Objectives
a. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 Reading Standards for Literature
# 3: Analyze how complex characters
(e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course
of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the
theme.
b. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9 Writing Standard # 9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts
to support analysis, reflection, and research.
II. Procedures (Lesson takes place after having read The
Hunger Games as a class and assumes an 80 minute block schedule period)
a.
Begin class by showing several specific clips
from the movie version of The Hunger Games: (10 min)
i.
Scene where Peeta states his desire to maintain
his identity
ii.
Scene where tributes are introduced to the
capital
iii.
Scene where the tributes enter the arena and the
games begin
b.
Review the concept of themes in literature and
other works as a class. Provide examples from other relatable works (Lion King,
popular songs, etc.). Have class determine the themes of a few of their own
suggested works. (10 min)
c.
Discuss the themes present in The Hunger Games
in small groups. Ask students to provide examples from the text that support
their ideas and generate examples of real life modern or historical events that
can be compared to the themes in the text. Then, allow students to discuss the
following themes and compare and contrast them with the suggested events. (15
min)
i.
Fighting for your convictions: Civil Rights
movement in America
ii.
Inequality between rich and poor: Occupy Wall
Street movement
iii.
Suffering as entertainment: Gladiators the
Colloseum in ancient Rome
d.
As a class, discuss some of the ideas that were
generated by the small groups
e.
Spend duration of the class in the computer lab;
students may work at their own pace. (40 min for research and writing + 5 min for
commute to and from lab)
i.
Assignment: Individually, choose the theme that
most interests you. Research one of the suggested significant events (or one of
your choice) and write a response comparing/contrasting the event with the
theme to which it corresponds.
III. Assessment
a.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3 -Reading standard for literature
# 3 is assessed through class discussion about developing themes and their
relations with the major characters of The Hunger Games. Students should
exhibit a general understanding of how the characters actions drive the message
of the text’s author.
b.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9 Students will demonstrate their
ability to support analysis of major characters in relation to the theme as they
compare the themes of the story to real life situations. This will be assessed
through their writing of a compare/contrast response.
The Hunger Games
Writing Activity
After discussing the themes present in The Hunger Games,
choose one of the following events and do some research on the Internet,
looking for anything that is similar or related to the story.
1) Fighting for your convictions: Civil Rights movement in
America
2) Inequality between rich and poor: Occupy Wall Street
movement
3) Suffering as entertainment: Gladiators the Colloseum in
ancient Rome
You may also apply one of these themes to a significant
event of your choice, but run it by me first!
Write a short response (roughly 1 page) comparing/contrasting
your event to the relevant theme from The Hunger Games. Use specific examples
from the book and your on-line research and think of which characters in the
story relate to the people of the real life situations that we discussed in
class. There is no right or wrong answer, but be sure to use specific examples
to support your ideas!
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