The context of World War II is a great one in which to talk about the theme of cooperation. The defeat of Hitler could not have come about without coordination between the Allies and the participation of all Americans on …
I want to use the study of Monarchy to discuss the theme of power with students. Thinking about what kinds of power a king or queen has and the good and bad they could do with that power, brings up …
The Great Depression, fueled by the Stock Market Crash of 1929, is a topic that provides an opportunity to discuss the theme of interdependence. The fallout from the Depression showed us how dependent we are on each other and our …
Within a unit on Segregation it would be a good idea to look at the story of Ruby Bridges to discuss the theme of respect, as she was one of the first African American children to attend an all-white elementary …
The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s contains great conversations about the theme of ambition, and how the United States, and especially President John F. Kennedy, felt pressure to catch up …
In the Time of Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, is a great novel with which to explore the theme of self-expression; in it four sisters navigate dictatorship in Latin America, fighting back to different degrees and in different ways. The Audre …
When teaching the novel Into the Wild by John Krakauer, I can focus on the theme of the pursuit of happiness and introduce the Susan B. Anthony conversation and the concept of Freedom at the beginning of the novel. At …
I’m teaching characterization in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. I will focus on the theme of respect by looking at the book’s protagonist, Hester Prynne, and tracking her journey from scorned societal outcast to respected contributor within her community. …
Studying epic poetry, particularly Homer’s The Iliad, is a great way to explore the theme of anger, as this theme is present from the very beginning of the poem which begins with the line, “Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage …
Looking at youth leaders like Greta Thunberg opens a door through which students can enter the theme of civic responsibility, and how a young individual can change how the world thinks about an issue. Using only her voice Thunberg was …
Hamlet is the perfect Shakespeare play with which to have interesting conversations about the theme of problem solving. At the center of this work and several of its famous soliloquies is an exploration of whether something or nothing should be …
The Wright Brothers invention of the Airplane provides a great opportunity for students to explore the theme of imagination. Albert Einstein’s quote, “The person with dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts,” can be used during …
