Engage students in analyzing character development and thematic exploration in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham." The formative includes baseline practice and an essay prompt.
This activity guides students through the exploration of key themes in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" such as family, racism, and resilience. Through a variety of question types, students will track character development and analyze how these themes are woven into the story, culminating in a literary analysis essay.
Which theme is most evident through Kenny's journey in the story?
How does Byron's character contribute to the theme of family in the story?
Select the characters who significantly contribute to the theme of resilience.
Describe how the characters' individual experiences in Birmingham help develop the theme of racism. Provide examples from the text to support your analysis.
Draw a character map that connects characters to the themes of family, racism, and resilience. Include key moments that demonstrate these themes.
True or False: Byron's behavior in Birmingham shows a significant change in his perspective about family.
Drag and drop the events into the correct theme: Family, Racism, or Resilience.
Kenny defending his brother
The Watsons' road trip
The church bombing
Encounter with racial tension in Birmingham
Kenny overcoming fear
The family's response to adversity
Family
Racism
Resilience
Write a literary analysis essay exploring how the author develops the theme of family, racism, or resilience through the characters in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham." Use specific examples and quotations from the text to support your analysis.