In the book The Boy on the Wooden Box, Leon struggles to survive for many years. Sometimes he survived based on pure luck, sometimes he survived because of his courage, and sometimes he survived because of his intellect. There was a time, at Leon’s lowest point, when he simply didn’t care anymore if he survived or not. In fact, he even preferred death to the hell that he was living in. For this activity, students will identify, describe, and illustrate three examples of when Leon survived during his horrible, unimaginable struggle.
Teachers may also choose to extend this activity to discuss other themes present in the memoir.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that identifies and describes three examples of how Leon survived his circumstances in The Boy on the Wooden Box.
Student Instructions:
Guide your students in analyzing how Leon survived by encouraging them to share observations, ask questions, and connect his experiences to broader themes. Thoughtful discussions help deepen understanding and build empathy.
Explain the importance of listening carefully and respecting all viewpoints. Students are more likely to engage when they know their ideas are valued and that everyone has an opportunity to speak.
Ask questions like, “What do you think helped Leon survive?” or “How did Leon’s actions show both luck and courage?” Open-ended prompts encourage students to think deeply and share unique perspectives.
Prompt students to support their ideas with specific examples from the book. This practice strengthens critical thinking and text analysis skills.
Invite students to reflect on times they’ve faced challenges or made tough choices. Personal connections make the discussion more meaningful and relatable.
Leon survived by relying on luck, showing courage during dangerous moments, and using his intellect to navigate life-threatening situations in The Boy on the Wooden Box. Each of these helped him endure the unimaginable challenges he faced.
Students can create a 3-cell storyboard to identify, describe, and illustrate three key moments when Leon survived, using images and short descriptions for each example from the memoir.
The main lesson is that survival can depend on luck, courage, and clever thinking. Leon's story shows how resilience, hope, and resourcefulness can help someone endure even the hardest times.
Teachers can explore themes like survival, resilience, the impact of hope and courage, and how individuals respond to extreme adversity in The Boy on the Wooden Box.
Students should click Start Assignment, identify three survival examples, add titles and images for each, write short descriptions, and save their work when finished.