One Crazy Summer is filled with symbolism, which is helpful for students to analyze to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their journey. The symbols in this book will come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify and explain symbols from the novel, supporting their choices with details from the text.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring symbols found in One Crazy Summer. Illustrate each symbol and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Foster deeper understanding by inviting students to share and explain their storyboard choices in a class discussion. This approach encourages active listening and helps students see multiple perspectives on the novel's symbols.
Develop open-ended questions like “Why do you think the author used this object as a symbol?” or “How does this symbol connect to the characters’ growth?” These prompts help students go beyond surface-level observations and analyze the author’s intent.
Divide students into groups and have them share their storyboard symbols and explanations. Group work allows for collaborative learning, challenges assumptions, and builds communication skills.
Invite students to relate at least one symbol from the novel to something in their lives or communities. This personal connection makes symbolism more relevant and memorable.
Ask students to write a brief reflection about how understanding symbolism changed their view of the story or characters. This step reinforces learning and helps assess comprehension.
One Crazy Summer features several important symbols, including Miss Patty Cake, Delphine's Timex watch, turbulence and Cassius Clay clouds, Nzila's kitchen, Fern's name, Hirohito's go-kart, and The People's Center. Each symbol represents deeper themes about family, identity, and growth.
Teaching symbolism in One Crazy Summer is effective with a storyboard activity. Have students identify key symbols from the novel, illustrate each one, and write a short description explaining its meaning. This approach helps students connect symbols with character development and plot.
Miss Patty Cake symbolizes Fern's innocence and her connection to childhood. Throughout the story, the doll represents comfort and security for Fern, and changes in her attachment to it reflect her growth and resilience.
The objective of a symbolism storyboard activity is to help students identify recurring symbols in One Crazy Summer, illustrate them, and explain their significance. This deepens comprehension and analytical skills by connecting symbols to the novel's themes and characters.
To illustrate symbols, students might draw Miss Patty Cake being held by Fern, Delphine checking her watch, or the People's Center as a gathering place. Adding text boxes with descriptions helps clarify the meaning of each symbol within the story's context.