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 Glory Be.
Glory shows courage many times throughout the story. One example of this is when she writes a letter to the editor of the Hanging Moss Tribune. The readers learn that Robbie is courageous when they learn that he was arrested for standing up for civil rights.
Glory goes through a lot with her best friend, Frankie and their friendship is tested in many ways. Glory also values her friendship with Laura, even though many people thought she didn’t belong in town.
During this time in the South, Black people were seen as “separate but equal”, but often not treated as such.
The theme of fear comes up in more than one way throughout the novel. One example is that many white people in town fear what will happen if their community pool is integrated. This fear causes anger and division within the town.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Glory Be. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Engage students by inviting them to share their thoughts about the themes in Glory Be before starting the activity. This helps activate prior knowledge and makes the themes more meaningful.
Prompt students to find quotes or scenes that support each identified theme. Encourage them to highlight or jot down page numbers as they read. This builds strong reading comprehension skills.
Share examples of how the story’s themes relate to everyday experiences or current events. Relating themes to real life helps students deepen understanding and see the relevance of literature.
Invite students to use drawings, symbols, or digital images to represent each theme. Letting students be creative boosts engagement and helps them express their understanding visually.
Organize a gallery walk or partner share where students present their storyboards. Giving and receiving positive feedback encourages deeper thinking and builds classroom community.
The main themes in Glory Be include courage, friendship, inequality, and fear. These themes explore how characters stand up for their beliefs, navigate relationships, face social injustice, and deal with difficult emotions.
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas or messages throughout the story. Encourage them to find specific examples or scenes that illustrate these themes, such as acts of courage or moments of friendship, and describe how they relate to the larger message of the novel.
An example of courage in Glory Be is when Glory writes a letter to the editor of the Hanging Moss Tribune, standing up for what she believes is right. Robbie also shows courage by being arrested for supporting civil rights.
The theme of inequality is important because it highlights the social and racial challenges faced in the South during the time period of the story. It helps students understand historical context and the impact of segregation on communities.
Effective activities include creating a storyboard that illustrates key themes, writing short descriptions for each example, and discussing how these themes appear in different scenes. These approaches encourage deeper understanding and engagement with the novel.