There are many themes present throughout the novel All American Boys. Students can explore this by identifying a theme themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given a theme to track throughout their reading. In this activity, students will create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the novel All American Boys.
Examples of themes:
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in All American Boys. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Foster a safe space by establishing clear ground rules for respectful listening and sharing. Encourage students to speak from personal experience and respect differing viewpoints to promote open dialogue.
Provide context about the novel’s themes, such as systemic racism or police brutality, before discussions. Use videos, articles, or short stories to build understanding and empathy.
Choose a format like Think-Pair-Share or Socratic Seminar to ensure every voice is heard and the conversation remains focused and productive.
Offer prompts such as “I noticed…” or “I wonder how…” to help students enter the conversation thoughtfully, especially when addressing challenging themes.
After the discussion, invite students to share how they felt and what they learned. Reflection journals or exit tickets help process emotions and reinforce respectful dialogue.
All American Boys explores themes such as systemic racism, police brutality, family, friendship, and identity. These themes highlight the complex social and personal issues faced by the characters in the novel.
Use engaging activities like an envelope activity where students track a given theme throughout their reading, or have them create a storyboard illustrating examples of selected themes from the novel.
An envelope activity involves assigning each student or group a theme to follow as they read. They collect examples and discuss how the theme develops, deepening understanding and encouraging close reading.
Discussing police brutality and racism in the novel helps students connect literature to real-world issues, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and awareness of social justice topics relevant to today's society.
A storyboard activity asks students to visually represent key moments that illustrate a theme, using scenes, characters, and descriptions. This supports comprehension and creativity in analyzing literature.