A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, or identify one theme and show three examples of it.
Zoe has never met her father and he is in prison, yet she gives him the benefit of the doubt and chooses to love and support him.
Zoe’s friendship with Trevor is tested, but they are open with and forgiving of one another.
Zoe knew that lying to her parents and writing letters to Marcus could get her in trouble, but she had the courage to do what she thought was right.
Marcus was put in jail for a crime he didn’t commit; his lawyer didn’t even bother trying to find his alibi and assumed he was guilty because he was a young, African American man.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Engage your students in a class conversation about key themes before they start their storyboards. Discussing as a group helps students deepen their understanding and connect ideas.
Ask questions like, "What important ideas or messages do you notice in Zoe’s story?" Encourage students to think critically and share their thoughts freely.
Guide students to find specific examples from the book that relate to each theme. This practice strengthens reading comprehension and analytical skills.
Create a visual list of themes and examples on chart paper or the board. Visual reminders help students stay focused as they work independently.
Invite students to share which theme stood out to them most and why. This builds community and gives every student a voice in the learning process.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington explores key themes such as family, friendship, courage, and systemic racism. The story highlights Zoe’s relationship with her father, the ups and downs of her friendship with Trevor, her bravery in seeking the truth, and the effects of racial injustice.
To teach themes, have students identify and illustrate recurring ideas in the story, such as family, friendship, and courage. Encourage them to create a storyboard with examples and short descriptions to deepen understanding and promote discussion.
An example is when Marcus, Zoe’s father, is wrongfully imprisoned due to assumptions based on his race. His lawyer neglects to find an alibi, highlighting the impact of systemic racism in the justice system.
Courage is central because Zoe risks getting in trouble by writing to her father and searching for the truth. Her bravery inspires readers to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
Effective activities include storyboarding key themes, illustrating scenes, writing short descriptions, and discussing how each theme appears in the story. These hands-on approaches engage students and reinforce understanding.