Summary
This lesson invites students to analyze literary figures and to make connections regarding how they fit into the context of the literary world. After participating in a Tell Me Everything activity to assess prior knowledge on the subject, students will research a literary figure of their choice and examine their impact on the world as well as their relationship to other literary figures. This lesson can be used in any English/Language Arts course, but it is best used to introduce key literary figures at the beginning of a unit or to review key literary figures at the end of a semester.
Essential Question(s)
Does literature make the author, or does the author make literature?
Snapshot
Engage
Students participate in a Tell Me Everything activity about literary figures to assess prior knowledge.
Explore
Students choose the name of a literary figure out of a hat (or from a class list) and complete portions of a KWHL chart about the literary figure they chose.
Explain
Students research their literary figure to finish their KWHL charts.
Extend
Students create a poster project about their literary figure to illustrate their research.
Evaluate
Students participate in a Gallery Walk to comment on their peers' projects, revisit their KWHL charts, and submit their posters and KWHL charts as assessments of the lesson.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
KWHL Chart (attached; one per student)
Literary Figures List (attached; one set per class)
Literary Figures Project Template (attached; one per student)
Literary Figures Project Example (optional)
Literary Figures Rubric (attached)
Hat (or similar container) for drawing names
Internet-enabled devices or library resources for research
Poster creation supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.)
Post-it notes (several per student)
Sharpies
Sticky Easel Pad
Mr. Sketch Markers
Sharpies
Colored pencils
Engage
Use the attached Lesson Slides to follow along with the lesson. Begin with slide 3. Briefly, read aloud the lesson objectives. Then move to slide 4 and read the essential question: Does literature make the author, or does the author make literature?
Move to slide 5. Ask students to get out a piece of paper. Using the Tell Me Everything learning strategy, give students 1 minute to write down the name of every famous literary figure they can think of.
After time is up, move to slide 6 and give students an additional minute to write down everything that they know about the people they included in their lists. If students struggle, provide the following questions:
What did the authors write?
Did they have any literary peers?
Do they have any unique characteristics or traits?
Did they make any social contributions?
What are the common topics or themes in their writing?
Invite students to discuss their lists with a partner.
Move to slide 7, and ask students if the people pictured (Chinua Achebe and Mary Shelley) were included in their lists. Move to slide 8 and ask the same question (pictured: Homer and Maya Angelou). If students say no, ask them why they were not included in their initial lists.
Explain to students that there are a number of famous figures that are important to literature, and it will be their job to become experts on ONE literary figure.
Explore
Move to slide 9. Invite students to draw a literary figure at random from the prepared container. Then, move to slide 10. Distribute a copy of the attached KWHL Chart to each student. Have each student write the name of the figure they drew at the top of the chart to complete a KWHL activity.
Next, introduce students to the KWHL strategy, and ask students to fill in the "K" column with everything they know about their literary figures. Allow 3–5 minutes of writing time.
Move to slide 11. Ask students to fill in the "W" column with everything they want to know about their literary figures. Give students an additional 3–5 minutes for this part of the activity.
Move to slide 12. Ask students to fill in the "H" column with ideas about how they might find the information they listed in their "W" column. Tell students that this will serve as an action plan as they research their literary figures.
Explain
Invite students, using the "W" and "H" columns of their KWHL Charts as references, to consult literature books and/or the appropriate online resources to find the information they identified in the "W" column.
Move to slide 13. As students research, ask them to take appropriate notes about their findings and write down where they found the information. Stress to students that keeping their research notes organized will make the next activity easier. In their notes, students might include the following information relating to their literary figures (also shown on slide 13):
Notable accomplishments and works
Common themes or topics in their writing
Genre(s)
Most used literary devices
Connections to other literary figures
Contributions to their field
Interesting facts (for example, hobbies and interests)
Extend
Pass out a copy of the attached Literary Figures Project Template to each student.
Move to slide 15. Ask students to fill this graphic organizer with the required information found during their research. Students should also draw in any images or symbols they associate with their literary figures. Required information includes:
Most Famous Work: What is this person most known for writing?
Three-Minute Bio: What are the most important facts about the author? What should others know about them?
Genre(s): Which genre did the literary figure prefer? Science fiction, poetry, gothic horror, etc?
Most Used Literary Devices: Which literary devices did this literary figure use frequently in their writings? (For example, onomatopoeia, foreshadowing, third-person narration, etc.)
A Similar Author: If time travel were available, which other literary figure would this literary figure get along with the best? Why would they be friends?
A Dissimilar Author: Who would the literary figure dislike the most in all of literature? Why would they not get along?
Common Themes or Topics: Literary figures tend to address certain topics or themes, such as love, family, and loss, on a regular basis. Which themes or topics did this literary figure frequently address?
Image: What does the literary figure look like? Students should draw a picture of the literary figure.
These requirements are also shown in the attached Literary Figures Rubric. If you choose, you can show or distribute this rubric to students for reference.
Evaluate
Have students hang their projects or otherwise make them available for their peers to view according to the Gallery Walk activity. Hand each student several sticky notes, and ask them to carry a pen or pencil.
Move to slide 17, and begin the Gallery Walk. As students they move around the room to view the projects, encourage students to use their sticky notes to provide helpful tips or praise for other students' projects.
Once students have rotated back to their own projects, give them time to review peer feedback and make any changes that they see fit.
Move to slide 19. Have students return to their KWHL Charts and fill out the "L" column with what they have learned about their literary figures.
For the evaluation purposes, have students turn in their KWHL charts and research notes. Consider providing formative feedback about their research techniques and providing suggestions that can aid them in their next research project. Consider grading students' projects according to the attached Literary Figures Rubric.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Gallery Walk/Carousel. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/d9908066f654727934df7bf4f505a54d
K20 Center. (n.d.). KWHL Graphic Organizer. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/d9908066f654727934df7bf4f505dd47
K20 Center. (n.d.). Tell Me Everything. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/baee4e90c5fa1a7060ca04dd8b001ea4
K20 Center. (n.d.). Sutori. tech Tools. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/2172