Title: Exploring the Legacy of Slavery in The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers

Grade Level: 8th Grade

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to analyze the themes of slavery, family, and identity in The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers.
2. Students will be able to identify and analyze the historical context of the novel.
3. Students will be able to make connections between the novel and their own lives.

Materials:

• Copies of The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with discussion questions
• Computer and projector for multimedia presentations

Procedure:

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Begin by asking students what they know about slavery in the United States. Write their responses on the whiteboard.
2. Introduce the novel The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers and explain that it tells the story of one family’s journey through slavery and beyond.
3. Ask students what they think the title of the novel means and what they expect to learn from reading it.

Reading and Discussion (60 minutes):

1. Assign the first section of the novel for students to read.
2. Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of discussion questions to answer.
3. After students have had time to discuss their questions, bring the class back together and have each group share their answers.
4. Use the whiteboard to record key themes and ideas that emerge from the discussion.
5. Repeat this process for each section of the novel.

Historical Context (30 minutes):

1. Use a multimedia presentation to provide students with background information on slavery in the United States.
2. Discuss the ways in which the novel reflects the historical context of slavery and the Civil War.
3. Ask students to consider how the legacy of slavery continues to impact American society today.

Connections to Personal Experience (30 minutes):

1. Ask students to reflect on their own family histories and identities.
2. Have students write a short essay or create a multimedia presentation in which they explore how their family history and identity have been shaped by historical events.
3. Encourage students to make connections between their own experiences and those of the characters in The Glory Field.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

1. Ask students to share their reflections on the novel and what they have learned from reading it.
2. Emphasize the importance of understanding the historical context of the novel and how it relates to our lives today.
3. Encourage students to continue exploring the themes of family, identity, and legacy in their own lives and in the world around them.