Title: Exploring Themes in “Little Fires Everywhere”
Grade Level: High School (9th-12th grade)
Objective: - Students will analyze and discuss the major themes present in the novel “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng. - Students will develop critical thinking skills by examining the complexities of identity, motherhood, conformity, and the pursuit of perfection. - Students will apply their understanding of the themes to real-life situations and reflect on their own values and beliefs.
Materials: - Copies of the novel “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng - Whiteboard or chart paper - Markers - Sticky notes - Handouts with discussion questions (prepared in advance)
Procedure:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever felt torn between their own desires and societal expectations.
- Share a brief overview of the novel “Little Fires Everywhere” and its themes, such as identity, motherhood, conformity, and the pursuit of perfection.
- Explain that the class will be exploring these themes in depth and discussing their relevance to our lives.
- Pre-Reading Activity (15 minutes):
- Divide the class into small groups and distribute sticky notes and markers.
- Ask each group to brainstorm and write down their initial thoughts and questions about the themes mentioned.
- Have each group share their ideas with the class, and compile a list of questions on the board or chart paper.
- Reading and Analysis (30 minutes):
- Assign the first few chapters of the novel as homework.
- In the next class, have students discuss their initial impressions and observations about the characters and their actions.
- Facilitate a class discussion using the questions generated during the pre-reading activity.
- Encourage students to support their opinions with evidence from the text.
- Theme Exploration (30 minutes):
- Divide the class into four groups, assigning each group one of the major themes: identity, motherhood, conformity, and the pursuit of perfection.
- Provide each group with a handout containing discussion questions related to their assigned theme.
- In their groups, students should discuss the questions and prepare a brief presentation summarizing their findings.
- Allow time for each group to present their theme and engage in a class discussion afterward.
- Real-Life Application (20 minutes):
- Ask students to reflect individually on how the themes explored in the novel relate to their own lives or the world around them.
- Have students share their reflections in pairs or small groups.
- Invite volunteers to share their thoughts with the whole class, encouraging respectful discussion and diverse perspectives.
- Culminating Activity (20 minutes):
- Assign a short writing assignment where students choose one theme from the novel and connect it to a current event or social issue.
- Encourage students to express their opinions and support them with evidence from both the novel and their research.
- Collect and review the written assignments for assessment purposes.
- Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Recap the major themes discussed throughout the lesson.
- Emphasize the importance of critically examining societal expectations and the complexities of human experiences.
- Encourage students to continue exploring these themes in their own reading and personal lives.
Extension Activity: - Organize a book club or literature circle where students can read and discuss other novels that explore similar themes. - Invite a guest speaker, such as a psychologist or sociologist, to discuss the impact of societal expectations on individuals and communities. - Encourage students to create artistic representations (e.g., paintings, poems, or short films) that reflect their understanding of the themes explored in the novel.