A Guide For Using Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry In The Classroom

Teaching literature unit based on the popular children's story, Roll of thunder, hear my cry.

Winner of the Newbery Medal, this remarkably moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers. Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. And it is also Cassie's story—Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers over the course of an important year why having land of their own is so crucial to the Logan family, even as she learns to draw strength from her own sense of dignity and self-respect. * "[A] vivid story.... Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence."—Booklist, starred review

Designed to develop a student's appreciation for good literature and to improve reading comprehension while studying Mildred D. Taylor's novel.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree about a hilarious family on a road-trip at one of the most important times in America's history. This special edition makes a perfect gift and includes bonus content! Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Byron gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they'll be in Birmingham during one of the darkest moments in America's history. "Every so often a book becomes a modern classic almost as soon as it arrives on bookshelves. That happened in the mid-'90s when Christopher Paul Curtis released his first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963." --NPR "One of the best novels EVER." --Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award–winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

Looking for ways to add rigor to your students' explorations of rich, complex literature? Students will be engaged as they analyze this classic Newbery Medal-winning book about a young girl's fight against prejudice. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: An Instructional Guide for Literature provides engaging activities that incorporate the following research-based literacy skills: close reading tasks; text-based vocabulary practice; cross-curricular activities; text-dependent questions; reader response writing prompts; leveled comprehension questions; story elements comprehension tasks; diverse and relevant assessments. Strengthen your students' literacy skills by implementing this high-interest resource in your classroom!

Experience the importance of land and effects of racism on an African-American family living in the South in the 1930s. The questions are challenging enough to push students to think deeply about the text. Imagine what Little Man is beginning to learn after the incident with the school books. Explain what Cassie is suggesting when the kids talk about Mr. Morrison’s arrival. Answer comprehension questions about Uncle Hammer’s visit for Christmas. Put yourself in Cassie’s shoes and explain what the Logan land means to her family. Research how racism and slavery look today, then rewrite the 13th Amendment to reflect these modern times. Create a social media profile for one of the characters in the book. Aligned to your State Standards and written to Bloom's Taxonomy, additional crossword, word search, comprehension quiz and answer key are also included. About the Novel: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of an African-American family and their struggles while living in southern Mississippi during the Great Depression. The story follows Cassie, a young girl part of the Logan family. This family is lucky, they own their own farm land. However, they are in danger of losing it. As Cassie struggles to accept “how things are” in their town for African-Americans, she witnesses firsthand the prejudice and racism that her family and others experience on a daily basis. Living in the South is dangerous during this time. Many families just like Cassie’s struggle to make ends meet. They remain in debt and forced to shop at the Wallace Store, who’s owners commit unspeakable violence against them. In an attempt to change how things are, the Logan family puts themselves and their livelihood in danger. As Cassie grows, she begins to experience the injustice that plagues the people in her community.

Exploring Literature is a complete teaching unit designed to give you everything needed to help students understand and appreciate fine literature. This exciting approach includes classroom-tested activities sure to save you hours of valuable preparation time.