Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, published in 1976 by Mildred D. Taylor, is an essential novel for middle school students to read and understand. The story follows the Logan family, predominantly told through the eyes of a young girl named Cassie, as they navigate the racial injustices pervasive in Mississippi during the 1930s Great Depression era. As a teacher, it’s crucial to introduce this thought-provoking book and engage your students in meaningful discussions and lessons about its themes and messages. In this article, we will explore some strategies to effectively teach Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry to your students.
I. Create Background Knowledge
Before diving into the novel, take time to provide students with historical context about the setting and era of the story. Explore topics such as segregation in schools, sharecropping, the economic climate of the Great Depression, and the Jim Crow Laws. Utilize multimedia resources such as documentaries, pictures, and audio interviews from that time period to make it tangible for students.
II. Explore Key Themes
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry focuses on several key themes – racism and prejudice; family; land ownership; education; and justice – that hold relevance even today. Encourage students to analyze how these themes play out throughout the novel using specific examples from the text and by facilitating discussions on how these themes relate to their lives today.
III. Encourage Critical Thinking
In addition to discussing key themes, challenge your students to engage in critical thinking exercises when analyzing characters’ actions, words, and motives throughout the novel. Foster a classroom environment where students can openly share their thoughts and opinions about various aspects of the story while remaining respectful of others’ viewpoints.
IV. Incorporate Writing Exercises
Assign writing tasks that help students explore their thoughts on different aspects of the novel more deeply. For example:
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character in the book.
- Compose an editorial arguing for or against the novel’s inclusion in the school curriculum.
- Create an alternative ending to the story, keeping the theme and message consistent.
V. Utilize Cross-Curricular Integration
Integrate Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry into other subjects seamlessly by assigning projects that require students to use multiple skills from various subjects such as:
- Design a map of the fictional town where the novel takes place, including landmarks and notable sites mentioned in the story (Geography).
- Calculate what 10% interest on a bank loan would be for purchasing land as mentioned in the novel (Math).
- Research historically significant events happening concurrently with the events of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (History).
VI. Conclusion
Teaching Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is an opportunity for both personal and intellectual growth for your students. By providing historical context, engaging with themes, fostering critical thinking, incorporating writing exercises, and utilizing cross-curricular integration, you will facilitate meaningful discussions and create a lasting impact on your students’ understanding of race, society, and history.
