Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird
Description:
American Literature students will
move to higher levels of learning if they are aware of historical topics
relevant to the novel,
To Kill a Mockingbird. This project helps
students first discover historical information relating to the novel
and then learn about social issues found within the novel.
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Instructional
Objectives for Project:
The student(s) will be able to:
-
gain exposure to time period through
information search using sources selected for project.
-
demonstrate understanding and analysis
of social issues presented in novel through reading and discussion.
-
evaluate information gained through
reading and background research to create an original power point project.
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Summary
of Project: 
Prior to reading Harper Lee's To
Kill a Mockingbird,students will take part in an information search
to find information concerning topics related to the novel. While reading
the novel, students will discuss social issues, childhood lessons, symbols,
and other topics related to the novel with other students and classes.
The project will end with the students creating an original Power Point
Project in groups of three to four. Topics for this project will be selected
by each group and approved by the teacher.
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Step 1: 
Researching Historical Background
-
Go to the following link.
The Black History Museum
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Read the selection titled "The
Scottsboro Boys"
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Answer the following questions
after reading the selection.
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When were the Scottsboro boys arrested?
-
Name and provide the age for the
nine Scottsboro boys.
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Why were these boys called the
Scottsboro boys?
-
Briefly summarize the situation
leading to the arrest of the Scottsboro boys.
-
In order to understand the
historical context of To Kill a Mockingbird, go to the following
site and answer the following questions. America's
Great Depression Timeline
-
On what day did the Stock Market crash?
-
Who did Franklin D. Roosevelt defeat to become
the thirty second president?
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What did the Gold Reserve Act do?
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What did John Steinbeck publish in 1939?
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Write a five paragraph essay detailing three
of the measures taken to boost the economy during the Great Depression.
Include an introductory paragraph, three well-developed paragraphs describing
each measure, and a concluding paragraph.
-
Now, let's research the life of Harper Lee in
order to understand autobiographical points of the novel. Harper
Lee
-
What award did Harper Lee win for To Kill
a Mockingbird?
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Describe Harper Lee's father's careers.
-
Describe Lee's education.
-
Name the person Harper Lee accompanied to Holcombe,
Kansas.
-
Write a paragraph describing how this novel is
autobiographical.
Step 2: 
Reading the novel
While reading the novel, visit the following
link to better understand vocabulary, allusions, symbols, and other literary
devices found in each chapter of the book. The
To Kill a Mockingbird Student Survival Guide
Step 3: 
Creating a Power Point Project
-
Evaluate information gained from researching
historical background and from reading the novel.
-
Select a topic to be approved by teacher.
-
Create an original Power Point Project using
information and pictures downloaded from the internet.
Grade
Level targeted by Project:
Grade 11
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Timeline:
Four weeks with other ongoing instruction.
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Assessment
of Project: 
-
Research and presentation of historical
information= One major grade
-
Reading of novel/online discussions
with other classes= 1 major grade
-
Creation and presentation of Power
Point Project= One major grade
This page created by Amanda Luna,
English teacher at Bryan ISD.
Copyright © Amanda Luna
Clip art taken from Clip Art Universe and Mike Shaikun's Animated Gif
Collection.
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Last updated January 28, 2000.