Teaching Theme I love to teach theme – it really is what literature is all about.  Students often have trouble understanding it, so I go over it with just about every text I teach.  I use a simple formula: topic + insight = theme.  It seems to help students understand that constructing theme statements can […]

Instructions Know the meaning of each bold printed vocabulary word from To Kill a Mockingbird. Also know its part of speech in the context of the sentence as found in the novel. Be able to write a sentence that incorporates the vocabulary word. The sentence must show that you understand the meaning of the word. […]

Instructions As part of the study of To Kill a Mockingbird, you will be writing an essay on one aspect of the novel. You will be given some class time to work on the essay and you will be given specific instruction on essay writing. The final product will be graded for content, organization, expression, […]

To Kill a Mockingbird Part 1 Quiz Part 1 Short Answer (1 mk. each) You do not have to use complete sentences. Who comes to visit from Meridian Miss. and becomes friends with Scout and Jem? What happens to Burris Ewell on the ftrst day of school? What does Jem leave behind the night he […]

In this project for To Kill a Mockingbird, students work in groups to create E-Zines related to the novel. It is a great way to end a your To Kill a Mockingbird unit. Goal The goal of this project is for you to gain knowledge about a topic and to share’ that knowledge on the […]

Here are some ideas for you to use while teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. I have included Unit Goals, Pre-Reading Activities, During Reading Activities, Reading Strategies, and After Reading Activities. If you would rather have all your prep work done with a full unit plan for To Kill a Mockingbird with lesson plans, a unit […]

In this short lesson for To Kill a Mockingbird, students examine and discuss the similarities and differences between the Cunninghams and the Ewels.  After discussing their observations, students write a letter from the perspective of Miss Caroline. Ven Diagram Have students complete a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between the Cunninghams and […]

In this activity, students explore the courage and strength that Atticus shows when he decides to defend Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird.  You will need a copy of “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. Art of Persuasion Arrange students into groups of six. Tell the groups they must select one person to […]

Here are my five top tips for teaching To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Don’t get bogged down by detail – So much happens in this novel.  If you try to cover every page of every chapter, it will take you months to get through it all.  Pick out the most important scenes and […]

In this lesson, students examine the impact of rumors and gossip in their own lives and in To Kill a Mockingbird.  After analyzing the difference between what is said and what is known about Arthur Radley, students write a sensational, tabloid-style news article. I usually use this lesson early in the novel, just after we […]