https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/blues-aint-no-mocking-bird-by-toni-cade-bambara/theme
START YOUR 14 DAY FREE TRIAL NOW!
START YOUR 14 DAY FREE TRIAL NOW!

Activity Overview


Valuable aspects of any literary work are its themes, symbols, and motifs. Part of the Common Core ELA standards is to introduce and explain these complex concepts. However, abstract ideas are often difficult for students to anatomize without assistance. Using a storyboard, students can visually demonstrate their understanding of these concepts, and master analysis of literary elements. For best practices, see our article with specific lesson plan steps on setting up your classroom and activities to teach themes, symbols, and motifs.

In this particular story the author uses the story itself along with the two anecdotes to reveal the theme to her readers. In the classroom, students can track the theme in this story and show how each use brings deeper meaning to the audience.


Blues Ain't No Mocking Bird Theme Example

Privacy

In the story the privacy of others is mentioned on three occasions: through the plot of the story itself, the story of the man on the bridge, and the anecdote about Goldilocks. Each story represents the invasion of privacy and the disrespect that people have for others. From the title of the story, the reader can infer that “blues” or misfortunes of others, unlike the mockingbird, do not suggest self-pity or death, more clearly the misfortunes of others should not be exploited or mocked. Looking at the story of the man attempting suicide, it is evident that Granny has contempt and disgust for people who try to take advantage of situations for their own benefit. This tale is followed by the story of Goldilocks, who goes into another person's home with blatant disrespect for the property and privacy of the owners. This last anecdote circles back to the invasion of personal space and privacy that Granny experiences with the cameramen.



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 identifies a theme in "Blues Ain't No Mockingbird". Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.


  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. Identify a theme in the story and write it on the row.
  3. Find three examples of the theme in the text and describe one in each cell.
  4. Illustrate each example with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
  5. Click "Save & Exit" when done.

Lesson Plan Reference

Common Core Standards
  • [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
  • [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
  • [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/10] By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

    By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Themes
Create a storyboard that identifies themes in the story. Illustrate examples of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Proficient Emerging Beginning
Identify Theme(s)
All themes are correctly identified and described.
Some themes are correctly identified.
No themes are correctly identified.
Examples of Theme(s)
All examples support the identified theme(s).
Most examples fit the identified theme(s).
Most examples do not fit the theme(s).
Illustrate Theme
Images clearly show connection with the theme(s).
Some images help to show the theme.
Images do not help in understanding the theme.





*(This Will Start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/blues-aint-no-mocking-bird-by-toni-cade-bambara/theme
© 2024 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office