Okay folks...just sit right back and I will tell you the tale.
Kids love to hear that. There is something about the word tale. Tale, not story.
I think that students need to feel. Feel anything. In years past I have taken my students out onto the property at Central High School. There are some very large trees that I like to take them to and read under. I really like reading To Kill a Mockingbird out there, especially when it is the fall and the leaves are blowing...just like in the story. Another thing I have done is take the students to the court house. (I know...a large amount of work, but it is very effective.)
Here is the lesson:
You select one of your best readers to read the famous monologue by Atticus Finch. If (where you are located) there is a courthouse with a balcony, I make the other students sit in the "colored balcony" while "Atticus" is reading that monolouge. I have seen tears. I have heard sobs. There is something about the solemnity of a courthouse that really attaches itself to a student.
Then, for the assignment, I have the students write a reaction to what he/she has heard and they must write in the voice of a person of color. I have seen some very powerful results from this lesson, mind-changing and life-changing. A challenging lesson to put together, yet EXTREMELY POWERFUL.
I love the idea of the students learning such a powerful lesson outside the classroom. I'm sure it left an impression on them they will never forget. I love the idea of actually taking them to the courthouse.
ReplyDeleteJoey, what a learning experience. What is your class size? Does this affect the effectiveness of the lesson?
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. It is utterly wonderful. I like the fact that the students are put into the situation and I can easily see how this would leave a lasting impression.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome to be able to take them to a court house! They don’t have to imagine the setting while hearing the words, because they are in it. I'm sure that lesson is one your students won't soon forget.
ReplyDeleteJoey, taking the kids to a courthouse is a great idea! I know that I can't watch the movie's courtroom scene and then Atticus finally leaving the courtroom without crying.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the new DVD version of Mockingbird has a ton of really interesting "extras" that you would enjoy watching, if you haven't already seen them. It's a 2-disc set.
What a wonderful idea. I love this book and it would be great to be in your class when you are doing this.
ReplyDeleteMore kudos for a great lesson! I would have loved to have been one of your students and to have experienced this novel in the way you teach it!
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