When I first posted about the 50th anniversary celebration for Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, I received many positive responses from people who had read the book (some recently, some ages ago) and had felt a great impact.
One blogging friend, Constance at Perfect Retort, told me that her niece’s 7th Grade English class recently completed a To Kill a Mockingbird unit, and that the teacher had a wonderfully creative way of encouraging the students to see Maycomb and the trial through the eyes of various characters.
Linda teaches at an independent school for girls. Please welcome her as she shares a peek at the grand finale for the unit … I think it’s brilliant!:
Each girl came dressed as a character from Maycomb and answered a few questions as her character would answer them. Some of the questions were:
- What did you think of the jury’s decision in Tom Robinson’s trial? Did you think it was a fair trial? Why or why not?
- What was your reaction to the death of Bob Ewell? Why?
- Do you think there is hope that the citizens of Maycomb will someday overcome their racism? Why or why not?
My goal in asking these questions to the various citizens of Maycomb was to give members of the community a voice who do not have much of a chance to express their views in the novel. For instance, I wanted the girls to hear what Calpurnia, Reverend Sykes, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond, to name a few, had to say about Tom Robinson’s trial and the racism in their community.
We called our event a Maycomb Social because the second part of the activity involved bringing a “gift” for some other character in Maycomb (the girls drew names for this part).
For instance, Jem Finch brought Reverend Sykes a new Bible, Dill brought Jem a football, Aunt Alexandra gave Miss Maudie her special recipe for charlotte, etc.
The girls had to think about what gift would be especially fitting for that character. The gift giving added to the fun for the girls and helped develop a sense of community both in our classroom and in the town of Maycomb.
I imagine that next year’s 7th graders have heard about this event and are already looking forward to their opportunity to participate as characters from Maycomb.
Thanks so much, Linda! I imagine that getting into a character’s head with both the tough questions you asked and the more upbeat gift selection process was a very fun lesson, and likely one that will stay with your students.
How creative! And it wouldn’t be a bad exercise for review writing either! I knew of a history teacher who did an analogous thing with the Civil War for 8th graders, and they still talked about it years later.
That is a very interesting learning unit! I had a great teacher my freshman year of high school which was where I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time and it sounds like something she would have enjoyed doing with the class.
Sounds like a great event…and something that will get kids thinking outside the box.
This is a terrific lesson! I often stage a mock trial when we read this book – but I do not always have classes that are a good size for this project (either too large – or too small). The Maycomb Social would be a great alternative.
I would not have thought that To Kill a Mockingbird would have been appropriate reading for 7th graders when I was in school, which was in the 50′s. But children are much more advanced these days and know more than they should at their ages! I would have loved to have had a wonderful teacher like this. It would really bring the story to life and make them think. I wish there were more teachers like you. My children had a history teacher like you, and now my grandchildren have him. He is great.
This seems like an incredibly creative way to conclude the finale of the book, and I really admire it. My kids have not yet read this book in school, but I am hoping that they do soon!!
Oh I like that. I wish my book club would have chose this read for our classic in October. Either way I am reading it
I love that idea! It really makes you think about the book in depth. We should do it at BEA next year!
rhapsody – one commenter on twitter suggested that authors use this technique themselves, on their WIP
Ladytink – my daughter will read it as a Freshman this year. I tried to convince her to read TKAM over the summer, but no luck so far …
Serena – yes, creative thinking, and an assignment they’ll remember!
Molly – I think Linda will be flattered if you hold a Maycomb social (report back, please!)
Jeannie – it’s awesome when a teacher has such a positive reputation/effect on generations. The climate in the 50s would have been a tough one for 7th graders to discuss TKAM!
zibilee – It may be on the curriculum in the next year or so (I think one of your children is about the same age as my older daughter, yes?)
Sheila – oh, do read it on your own. If you can’t find a group to discuss it with, post your thoughts on your blog or on twitter.
Bermudaonion – Which book’s characters would we play – TKAM? That would be a fun evening social event.
That sounds like such fun! I never read To Kill a Mockingbird for school, but I read it on my own in middle school and just adored it.
What a fabulous way to help readers relate to the book and the characters.
Eva – what inspired you to read it on your own? Its reputation as a classic?
Beth F – students will always remember a teacher who helped them connect that way.
I suspect it is easier to discuss this book in a girls’ school (as this was) than in a co-ed classroom but wonder what others thing.
[...] to have read and studied TKAM with my peers at a young age. Check out this guest post over at She Is Too Fond Of Books to see how one teacher has come up with a very creative and interactive way…to teach teenagers directly from the pages of TKAM. How awesome and interesting would that [...]