Tim LaBud
CI 401
10/31/12
Themes in Novels:
A Writing Exercise
(Grade 9)
I. Standards and Objectives
a. 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. Writing Standard # 9: Draw
evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection,
and research.
II. Procedures
a.
Begin class by showing several specific clips
from the movie version of The Hunger Games:
i.
Scene where Peeta states his desire to maintain
his identity
ii.
Scenes where Katniss vouches to win the games at
all costs
b.
Review the concept of themes in literature and
other works. Provide examples from other relatable works
c.
Discuss the themes present in The Hunger Games
in small groups. Ask students to provide examples from the text that support
their ideas.
i.
Fighting for your convictions
ii.
Inequality between rich and poor
iii.
Suffering as entertainment
iv.
The importance of appearance
d.
As a class, share the ideas that were generated
by the small groups
e.
Drawing on one of those themes (fighting for
what you believe in), introduce the topic for writing activity: Think of a time
that you have had to stand up for something you believe in.
f.
Pass out the activity worksheet and read the
assignment description aloud. Allow time for questions from the students
i.
Have class brainstorm own ideas of a time that
they had to stand up for something/someone. Answer questions on worksheet
individually
ii.
Write a short narrative of the experience
iii.
Compare their own actions with the characters
Katniss and Peeta; explain how their experience can relate to one or both of
the characters
III. Assessment
a.
Reading standard for literature # 3 is assessed
through class discussion about developing themes and their relations with two
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.
Students will demonstrate their ability to
support analysis of major characters in relation to the theme as they compare
their narrative with the actions of Katniss and Peeta in the final writing
exercise of the worksheet.
Worksheet:
Name
___________________________
Date
___________________________
Themes and Me
Themes are often a message from the
author or the moral of a story. These themes can usually relate to our
every-day lives. Consider the themes present in The Hunger Games. One of the
main themes is the preservation of individuality and identity. Katniss Everdeen
and Peeta Mellark both talk about their personal beliefs and discuss how they
plan on fighting for what they believe in while in the arena. Katniss says she
will do anything to win the games for her younger sister, even if it means
killing another tribute, and Peeta talks about how he doesn’t want the games to
change who he is, even if he has to die to maintain his humane identity.
Think of a time
that you have ever had to stand up for something you believe in.
What were you standing up for? Were
you defending somebody else? A religious belief?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Where were you? When did it happen?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why did you
have to take a stand/why was it so important to you?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who was
involved?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was
the outcome?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Write a short
narrative (1-2 paragraphs) of your experience! Use your answers from above to
guide your writing.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Compare your
experience with the characters in the book! Did you act more like Katniss or
Peeta? How?
I acted like Katniss because:
1)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
2)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
3)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
I acted like Peeta because:
1)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
2)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
3)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
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