There are many literary elements to enrich the story of Anne of Green Gables. Students can track themes, symbols and motifs as they encounter them in the novel and create a storyboard with illustrations and descriptions that cite evidence from the text. Students can explore this by identifying a theme, symbol or motif themselves or, in an “envelope activity” being given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, students can create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the text. Students could also track literary elements such as foreshadowing and figurative language as the story is full of them! Teachers can change the instructions accordingly if they wish for students to do that as well.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols or motifs found in Anne of Green Gables. Illustrate each symbol and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Kick off a class discussion by asking students to share their favorite theme, symbol, or motif from Anne of Green Gables. Encourage them to explain why it stood out and connect it to their own experiences. This helps build engagement and allows students to make personal connections with the text.
Establish ground rules such as listening respectfully, allowing everyone to speak, and backing up ideas with evidence from the book. Clear guidelines create a safe, inclusive atmosphere for all students to share.
Prepare open-ended questions like, "How does Anne's imagination help her respond to challenges?" or "What does the puffed sleeves symbol mean to Anne?" Thoughtful prompts draw out deeper student thinking and analysis.
Ask students to support their ideas by quoting or referencing specific scenes or descriptions. Textual evidence strengthens analysis and helps students practice citing sources.
Have students write or draw a brief reflection on how a theme or motif from the novel relates to their own life or the world today. Creative reflection reinforces learning and personal connection.
Anne of Green Gables explores major themes such as family, imagination, coming of age, friendship, and the importance of home. These recurring ideas shape Anne’s experiences and growth throughout the novel.
Students can look for recurring objects, ideas, or images—like Anne’s red hair, puffed sleeves, or the woods—that appear throughout the story. Tracking these helps reveal their deeper meanings and how they connect to the novel’s themes.
Assign students to choose a theme, symbol, or motif from the novel, then create a storyboard with illustrations and brief descriptions. They should cite text evidence and explain the significance of their choices. This visual approach works well for grades 4–6.
Tracking motifs and symbols helps students develop critical thinking, understand deeper meanings, and appreciate how authors use literary devices to build themes and character development.
Have students identify themes, symbols, or motifs and illustrate them in a storyboard. Each cell should feature an example from the text and a short description, allowing students to visually connect evidence to literary concepts.