The story of Tuck Everlasting revolves around the Tuck family’s immortality and Winnie pondering hers. Students will inevitably wonder what they would’ve done. If given the opportunity, would they drink water that would give them everlasting life? For this activity, students will create a three-cell storyboard that states their opinion, and gives two reasons that support their answer.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that answers the question, “Would you drink water that would give you everlasting life?”
Student Instructions:
Begin the class by revisiting the key decision in "Tuck Everlasting" – whether to drink the water that grants immortality. Explain how this decision is not just a literary one but can be linked to various subjects like science, history, and ethics. Discuss the implications of immortality in different contexts – biological, historical, and moral. This introduction sets the stage for students to think broadly and integrate multiple disciplines into their understanding of the novel's themes.
Assign students to research the concept of immortality as it relates to different subjects. In science, they might explore the biological aspects of aging and life extension. In history, they can look into historical beliefs and practices regarding immortality or eternal life. For ethics, students could investigate the moral implications of living forever. This research phase allows students to gather information and perspectives from various disciplines, enriching their understanding of the novel’s themes.
Using the information gathered in their research, students will create a three-cell storyboard. The first cell will state their personal decision regarding the water from "Tuck Everlasting." The next two cells should provide reasons supporting their decision, drawing on insights from their cross-curricular research. Encourage creativity in how they visually and textually represent their decision, emphasizing the integration of the different subjects they have explored.
Students will present their storyboards to the class, explaining how their decision is supported by their cross-curricular research. This step allows students to share and reflect on how different disciplines can provide diverse lenses through which to analyze and interpret literary themes. Conclude the lesson with a class discussion on how this activity deepened their understanding of "Tuck Everlasting" and the complexity of its central decision.
Students can make personal connections with "Tuck Everlasting" by reflecting on how the themes and characters relate to their own life experiences and beliefs. For instance, they might consider how they feel about the concept of immortality presented in the book and compare it to their perspectives on life and death. They could also relate the characters' experiences and dilemmas to their situations or choices they've faced. Encouraging students to write personal reflections or journal entries about these connections can deepen their understanding of the novel and foster a more personal engagement with its themes. By drawing parallels between the novel and their lives, students not only gain insight into the text but also reflect on their values and experiences.
"Tuck Everlasting" can be connected to broader world issues and historical events by exploring its universal themes in a larger context. The novel's exploration of immortality, for instance, can be linked to ongoing scientific research and ethical debates in the fields of life extension and aging. The theme of the natural cycle of life can prompt discussions on environmental conservation and humanity's relationship with nature. Moreover, the novel’s setting in the late 19th century allows for historical connections, such as examining the societal norms and technological advancements of that era. Discussing these connections in class helps students understand the novel's relevance to real-world issues and historical contexts, enhancing their global awareness and historical understanding.
Various activities can be employed in a classroom setting to facilitate deeper text connections with "Tuck Everlasting." Group discussions and debates on themes such as immortality and moral choices can encourage students to share and consider diverse perspectives. Creative writing assignments, like composing alternative endings or writing from a character’s perspective, allow students to explore the novel creatively. Artistic projects, such as creating thematic collages or drawing scenes from the book, can help visual learners connect with the text. Additionally, comparing "Tuck Everlasting" with other literary works or media in class discussions or essays can deepen students' understanding of literary themes and techniques. These activities not only enhance students' engagement with the novel but also develop their critical thinking and creative skills.