In the novel Lord of the Flies, the theme of self-discipline is evident when the stranded boys attempt to recreate the disciplined society that they grew up in on the island. Mid-way through a study of the novel I would …
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an important novel that every American should read. I like to use this novel to teach several different themes and historical issues, but the character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a …
The theme of self-expression is very evident in the Walt Whitman poem “I Hear America Singing.” After a class reading and an analysis of the multiple expressions presented in the poem, I would connect to the Confucius conversation about how …
Emily Dickinson’s poem “There’s a Certain Slant of Light” describes the effect of light in “winter afternoons” as a subtle, invisible “affliction,” something imperceptible yet real; something not unlike solitude. Franz Kafka states, “Isolation is a way to know ourselves.” …
The George Floyd protests have erupted all over the country and sparked a national debate not only over racism and police brutality, but also about the best way to protest injustice. The Abraham Lincoln conversation on leadership would give students …
The classic children’s book The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper offers many themes to teach young readers, including self-discipline. By encouraging himself with positive affirmations, the Little Blue Engine achieves what seemed impossible, delivering a load of toys …
In Sherman Alexie’s short story collection, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist fight in Heaven, “Imagining the Reservation” describes how dreams can feed, heal, and transform Native Americans’ lives. Alexie juxtaposes imagination with the reality of reservation life, stating that …
In a unit on Puritans and Colonial America, in which students learn that the Puritans fled from England to pursue religious freedom, I would use the Cheyenne proverb, “Our first teacher is our own heart.” I would introduce this conversation …
One of the best American novelists to teach us about diversity and the second-generation immigrant experience is Amy Tan. In her short story, “Fish Cheeks,“ the narrator is ashamed and embarrassed of her family’s authentic Chinese menu on Christmas Eve. …
A conversation with Martin Luther on responsibility, beginning with his famous quote, “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say,” will raise core questions for students, who are frequently faced with …
The Giver, by Lois Lowry, has become a standard in middle school classrooms. I would ask the question “How do we know when we should take risks?” towards the end of the novel to lead students in a discussion about …
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter sheds an ironic light on Puritan hypocrisy and human tendency. Hester Prynn, guilty of adultery, is kind and humble. She does not expose Dimmesdale, who is blindly loved for his piety. The villagers mandate that …
