Having students choose a favorite quote or dialogue from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quote or dialogue means to them and why they chose it.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote or dialogue, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
”Maybe she was expecting a new girl from California but not expecting me.”
”I don’t want to forget, and I don’t want someone else to tell a different story about me.”
”And because angry words are like minutes on the clock - once you use them, you can’t get them back.”
”It’s funny how other people get to decide when I’m invisible, but I can’t make them disappear.”
”Papa opens his desk drawer and takes out a button, March for Freedom and Jobs, and tapes it onto the new frame. He says, ‘Even now, that day reminds me that raindrops are stronger than hammers.’”
”’I’ve decided there are jerks everywhere. And you just have to meet fewer jerks.’ Then I say, ‘And try not to be one.’”
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies your favorite quote or dialogue in Full Cicada Moon. Illustrate your quote and write what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
Facilitate a class conversation where students explain why they selected their quotes and connect them to personal experiences. This helps build empathy and demonstrates the diverse ways literature resonates with readers.
Share your own favorite quote from the book and describe its impact on you. This models thoughtful reflection and encourages students to open up about their own connections.
Remind students to listen actively when peers share, and to ask questions or comment in supportive ways. This fosters a positive classroom climate and values each student's voice.
Invite students to bring in an item or create a drawing that connects to their quote. Using visual aids can make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable for everyone.
A great activity is having students choose their favorite quote or dialogue from Full Cicada Moon, create a storyboard illustrating it, and write about its personal meaning. This encourages text-to-self connections and deeper understanding of the novel's themes.
Ask students to select a quote or dialogue that resonates with them, illustrate it, and explain its significance. This approach fosters personal reflection and engagement, making the story more meaningful for each learner.
Discussing favorite quotes lets students share perspectives and see how others interpret the same lines differently. It builds critical thinking, empathy, and helps students understand that literature can have multiple, personal interpretations.
Examples include: “Maybe she was expecting a new girl from California but not expecting me.” and “Angry words are like minutes on the clock—once you use them, you can’t get them back.” These lines spark discussion and reflection in class.
Students can create a storyboard showing a scene from the novel, then write the quote and a sentence about what it means to them. This combines visual creativity with personal analysis.