Identifying Theme in Various Media Forms
Lesson Plan
Students will begin by discussing theme. What is theme? How do you identify theme in a text? If you have a class that is particularly quiet, you may want to consider using PollEverywhere.com to create a wordle of their ideas. This is creates and interesting visual, and it also prompts students to use their laptops and engages students.
Next, discuss which ideas that are correct. Briefly cover theme using the attached powerpoint.
Students will then look at two photos depicting Little Rock Nine. Students may have little discussion over the photos - initial reactions, etc. At this point, discussion of theme should be saved until other media forms are viewed.
Students will then read Richard Wright's "Black Boy." It would be a good idea to create an excerpt as opposed to using the entire text. The excerpt I used begins with "Hunger stole upon me so slowly that at first I was not aware of what hunger really meant" and ends with "That night I won the right to the streets of Memphis." This excerpt can be found in the Elements of Literature Third Course textbook.
Before reading the text aloud, the teacher may want to research the themes of this work. These include: the insidious effects of racism, individual vs. society, and the redemptive power of art. More information is available on this on the SparkNotes website. This will help the teacher in leading students to identification of theme in the text.
Once students have finished this piece, use polleverywhere to ask students what possible themes could be. Explain to students that theme is not just one word, but for this activity, they can put in one word, and the class can work to elaborate. This shows students that you may not necessarily come up with the theme instantly, but it will take a mental process to reach this answer.
Finally, students will be given the lyrics to the song "Let it Go" featured in the movie "Frozen." Students will be told that the theme is individual vs. society, and students will point out specific textual evidence that shows this theme. Students will discuss before leaving today.
Theme Powerpoint
Little Rock Nine Photos
"Black Boy" Text
I would suggest checking your textbooks. I have researched and cannot find the full text, but here are a few excerpts:
This is the excerpt that is in our textbook. I will be using this excerpt with my class.
"Let it Go" Lyrics
The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation,
And it looks like I'm the queen.
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried!
Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know!
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!
It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all!
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me I'm free!
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry!
Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on!
My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back,
The past is in the past!
Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone!
Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!