| To Kill a Mockingbird |
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English I - To Kill a Mockingbird
Introduction
Greetings English I students. You will be reading Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. To assist you in your study of this novel, the English I teachers have created this web page to guide and assist you during your reading. Before beginning the novel, however, you will need to research some information to provide you with the necessary background information needed to help you have a better understanding and appreciation of the novel.
Note: With your teacher, please review your school's acceptable use policy for work on the Internet. Also, links to the Web often change. Tell your teacher when you find a poor link in this guide.
Pre-Reading Tasks
Before starting, ask you teacher about what task he or she would like you to complete. Some teachers may have you research the information on your own, and others may have you work cooperatively in pairs or small groups. In addition, be sure you know what your specific task is and/or what role you and your partners have been assigned. Finally, be sure to read all the directions before starting your assigned task.
Task 1
Pre-Reading Task 1: Based on what you find during your research, and the following quote from the book, speculate why Lee, the author, chose this animal for the title of her book.
Quote: "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
Process:
- Visit the following Internet resources to learn more about the mockingbird. To listen to the mockingbird's song, you may need to ask the librarian for a set of headphones.
The Northern Mockingbird
More on the Northern Mockingbird
Texas Wildlife Facts
Nature Works Facts
Once you have enough information about the mockingbird, your next task will be to create a product to show what you and/or you group members have speculated about why Lee chose to use this animal in the title of her book. Ask your teacher specifically what product he or she would like you to create. Some options may be to create a poster, write a report, create a slide presentation, write a poem or song, or to lead a whole class discussion.
Remember that no matter what product you or your teacher has chosen, you should have evidence that shows that you are aware of the characteristics of the bird. Remember that you are also making a speculation, or an educated guess, about why Lee chose this animal for her title.
Grading:
Your teacher may have a more specific form on how you will be graded on this assignment, however a simple rubric is listed below. It is recommended that you present your ideas to your classmates, listen to other possible ideas, and engage in a whole class discussion about novel's title.
| Scoring Guide
1 = Unsatisfactory; 2 = Needs Development; 3 = Satisfactory; 4 = Good; 5 = Excellent |
Quality & Development of Ideas
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Organization & Relevance to Topic |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Style & Individuality |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Creativity |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Spelling & Punctuation |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Total = |
Pre-Reading Task 2: This task will require you to explore some of the themes found in To Kill a Mockingbird. Some of the themes are prejudice, intolerance, courage, and justice. You will explore one of these themes, writing an interpretation of a quote that illustrates this theme, and explaining why you agree with the quote.
Process:
Before starting, ask your teacher specifically what product he or she would like you to create. Some options may be to create a poster, write a report, create a slide presentation, write a poem or song, or to lead a whole class discussion.
The first step in this task is to choose one of the following themes:
Prejudice
Intolerance
Courage
Justice
The second step in this task is to find a quote that illustrates one of the previous themes. Use the following Internet resource to find an appropriate quote.
Quotes Data Bank
Select from the database a quotation that you most agree with. Print out the chosen quotation.
Choose a product to complete the interpretion of the meaning of
the quotation. Make sure to:
- Copy the quotation directly and cite the
author
- State what you think the quotation
means.
- Give your own reasons why the quotation
has some truth behind it (You may use your own observations,
based on personal experience).
- To explore the
significance of your personal experiences using narration,
description, or exposition. You will need to draw
comparisons between specific incidents and broader themes
that illustrate the writer's important beliefs or
generalizations about life.
Pre-Reading Task 3: This task will require you to explore a few of the necessary historical and background information in To Kill a Mockingbird. Some of the background information will provide you with the knowledge of life and times that the novel is set in, the social and political issues the novel deals with, and information about the author. It is recommended that you work in either pairs or small groups for this task. Your teacher will decide for sure so please ask.
Process:
Before starting, ask your teacher specifically what product he or she would like you to create. Some options may be to create a poster, write a report, create a slide presentation, write a poem or song, or to lead a whole class discussion.
The first step in this task is to choose, one of the following topics (your teacher may randomly assign you to a topic:
Once you have a topic, you will want to start exploring the websites for information. Read and choose facts carefully to better present your ideas to the class. Your classmates will rely on you to provide accurate information and you will rely on them.
Pull together all the information you find and begin to create your final product. Your final product should reflect what life was like for people at the time the novel takes place or what affected and/or influenced Harper Lee to write this book. The final product should be presented to your other classmates.
Special thanks to original writer Linda Taggart-Fregoso and Mary Jewell and their brilliant ideas for this page.
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Last Updated by Kevin Szaflik on September 11, 2005
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Ridgewood High School
7500 W. Montrose Ave. · Norridge, IL 60706
(708) 456-4242
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| Click here to use before, during and after reading questions to help you study To Kill a Mockingbird. |
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| Use the following reading strategies to assist you before, during and after reading. |
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| This link will take students to a page designed to assist students who are reading TKAM. Click on the link to learn more. |
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