Illustrating Themes in Huckleberry Finn

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Theme

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Activity Overview

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In this activity students will identify a theme and support the theme with evidence from the text.

Deceit

One theme is deceit. Throughout the novel, characters use deceit for a variety of purposes. For example, Huck uses deceit in order to escape captivity; Huck fakes his death by killing a pig and spreading its blood all over the cabin. Later on, he uses deceit to gain information; he dresses like a girl to gain information from Judith Loftus who is new to town. Lastly, the King and Duke pretend to be related to the late Peter Wilks and attempt to steal his fortune.

Friendship

Another theme in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is friendship. Huck and Jim are dedicated to helping each other and look out for one another as they move down the river and avoid capture. Jim calls Huck "a true friend". Huck and Tom Sawyer also have a close friendship. Huck and Tom develop a complex plan to free Jim. They follow through with the plan, and improve when needed, even when they are close to being caught. Jim demonstrates his friendship toward Tom as well. Instead of escaping, Jim stays to assist the doctor in saving Tom who had been shot in the calf.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/6/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the theme(s) from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
Create an image for examples that represent this theme.
Write a description of each of the examples.

Template: Theme

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Rubric

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Themes, Symbols, and Motifs Rubric for Middle School

Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, and/or motifs in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Identify Theme(s)	All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story.	Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story.	No themes are correctly identified.
Identify Symbol(s)	All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story.	Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols.	No symbols are correctly identified.
Identify Motif(s)	All motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story.	Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incorrect.	No motifs are correctly identified.
Examples	All examples support the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions clearly explain how the examples connect to the broader themes, symbols, and motifs.	Most examples fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Most descriptions attempt to explain how the examples connect to the broader themes, symbols, and motifs.	Most examples do not fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions are unclear.
Depiction	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes, symbols, and motifs and help with understanding.	Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, symbols, and motifs, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand.	Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes, symbols, and motifs.