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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/blues-aint-no-mocking-bird-by-toni-cade-bambara/literary-elements
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
When teaching a work of literature, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like “metaphor", "alliteration", "personification", "imagery", "apostrophe", and "assonance" are a few important terms.
After you have read the story, ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the storyboard creator. Give them the list again and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element from “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird”. They will have an absolute blast and gain mastery of the words. Check out this example below:
Examples of Literary Elements Bambara Uses
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | A comparison using 'like' or 'as' | "Then Granddaddy’s other hand flies up like a sudden and gentle bird, slaps down fast on top of the camera and lifts off half like it was a calabash cut for sharing." |
| Anecdote | A very brief account of an incident or incident, typically a story or account of a past event | “I was on this bridge one time,’ she started off. ‘Was a crowd cause this man was goin to jump, you understand. And a minister was there and the police and some other folks. His woman was there, too.” |
| Imagery | The use of descriptive or figurative language to create vivid mental imagery that appeals to the senses | “The old ladle dripping rum into the Christmas tins, like it used to drip maple syrup into the pails when we lived in the Judson’s woods, like it poured cider into the vats when we were on the Cooper place, like it used to scoop buttermilk and soft cheese when we lived at the dairy.” |
Template and Class Instructions
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows five examples of literary elements in "Blues Ain't No Mocking Bird".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Literary Elements Rubric
Create a storyboard that shows different literary elements from the story.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Lesson Plan Overview
When teaching a work of literature, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like “metaphor", "alliteration", "personification", "imagery", "apostrophe", and "assonance" are a few important terms.
After you have read the story, ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the storyboard creator. Give them the list again and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element from “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird”. They will have an absolute blast and gain mastery of the words. Check out this example below:
Examples of Literary Elements Bambara Uses
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | A comparison using 'like' or 'as' | "Then Granddaddy’s other hand flies up like a sudden and gentle bird, slaps down fast on top of the camera and lifts off half like it was a calabash cut for sharing." |
| Anecdote | A very brief account of an incident or incident, typically a story or account of a past event | “I was on this bridge one time,’ she started off. ‘Was a crowd cause this man was goin to jump, you understand. And a minister was there and the police and some other folks. His woman was there, too.” |
| Imagery | The use of descriptive or figurative language to create vivid mental imagery that appeals to the senses | “The old ladle dripping rum into the Christmas tins, like it used to drip maple syrup into the pails when we lived in the Judson’s woods, like it poured cider into the vats when we were on the Cooper place, like it used to scoop buttermilk and soft cheese when we lived at the dairy.” |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows five examples of literary elements in "Blues Ain't No Mocking Bird".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Literary Elements Rubric
Create a storyboard that shows different literary elements from the story.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Literary Elements in \"Blues Ain\'t No Mockingbird\"
1
Integrate a Quick Literary Elements Warm-Up
Start class with a short, fun warm-up where students identify literary elements in random sentences or short passages. This energizes students and helps activate their prior knowledge before tackling the main story.
2
Model Identifying Literary Elements with Think-Alouds
Read aloud a brief excerpt from "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird" and think out loud as you spot a literary element. Show students how to observe clues, underline keywords, and explain why a passage fits a specific element.
3
Guide Students to Annotate the Text for Literary Elements
Have students annotate their copies of the story, highlighting or underlining examples of literary elements. Encourage color coding for each type (e.g., similes in blue, imagery in green) to make patterns easy to spot.
4
Facilitate Small Group Discussions on Literary Elements
Assign students to small groups and give each group a different literary element to find and discuss. Groups can share their findings with the class, promoting peer teaching and active engagement.
5
Assess Understanding with a Quick Exit Ticket
Ask students to jot down one literary element from the story, its definition, and a specific example before leaving class. This quick check helps you see who is ready for deeper analysis and who needs more support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Elements in \"Blues Ain\'t No Mockingbird\"
What are the main literary elements in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"?
"Blues Ain't No Mockingbird" uses several key literary elements, including simile, anecdote, and imagery. These techniques help bring the story to life and deepen the reader's understanding of characters and themes.
How can I teach literary elements in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird" to high school students?
Engage students by having them create a storyboard that identifies and illustrates examples of literary elements from the text. This visual activity helps students master terms like metaphor, alliteration, and imagery while making learning interactive and fun.
What is a good classroom activity for exploring figurative language in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"?
Assign a scavenger hunt where students find and illustrate examples of figurative language, such as similes and personification, using a storyboard creator. This method encourages close reading and creativity.
Can you give examples of simile and imagery from "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird"?
Yes! An example of a simile is: "Then Granddaddy’s other hand flies up like a sudden and gentle bird..." An example of imagery is: "The old ladle dripping rum into the Christmas tins... like it used to drip maple syrup into the pails..."
Why is it important to teach literary elements through storyboards?
Using storyboards to teach literary elements makes abstract terms concrete. Students visualize and explain examples, which boosts engagement, comprehension, and retention of key concepts in literature.
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Blues Ain't No Mockin Bird
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StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
