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Grade Level:
6 - 12
Literary Form:
American Short Stories
11 Lesson Plans/25 Handouts/70 Pages
ISBN:978-1-56077-650-5
Description:
The novel, a wonderfully scary story, examines the seductive nature of evil. Set in a small Midwestern town, the mythical hamlet of Green Town, Illinois, the novel follows the misadventures of Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, a pair of thirteen-year-olds who are swept into a frightening series of events involving a supernatural traveling carnival. Will’s father, Charles, must work through his own middle-aged fears and longings to help save the boys (and the town) from the carnival’s insidious grip.
This semi-autobiographical fantasy explores the nature of good and evil. Themes include the complicated relationship between fathers and sons; the dangers inherent in longing for youth; the significance of personal choice in questions of good and evil; the transformative capabilities of the mind; the disabling quality of fear; the surprisingly ordinary nature of courage; and, finally, the amazing power of joy, acceptance, love, and friendship.
Activities:
Activities provide an intense exploration of character and theme and help students find connections between these elements of the novel and their own lives, contemporary culture, and other literature. Students are also guided to study Bradbury’s rich language, especially his use of symbols and figures of speech. In this unit, students participate in close reading, small- and large-group discussing, responding to questions and prompts, drawing conclusions, summarizing, journaling, researching, presenting, debating, analyzing text, brainstorming, essay writing, creating artistic models, and making connections.
This unit also features a unit test, answer key, and a collection of optional activities.
Ethical Values:
Compassion
Courage
Family Commitment
Self-actualization
Teamwork
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