In the realm of literature for young adults, few novels capture the essence of friendship, responsibility, and the consequences of choices quite like Marion Dane Bauer’s On My Honor. This timeless tale continues to resonate with readers of all ages, making it a valuable addition to any classroom curriculum.
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Benefits of Using On My Honor in Your Classroom:
Offers an Engaging Narrative and Themes: On My Honor tells the story of Joel and Tony, two boys who embark on a bike ride adventure that takes a tragic turn. As the narrative unfolds, themes of friendship, loyalty, guilt, and accountability emerge, providing ample opportunities for classroom discussions and critical thinking. Students will be drawn into the compelling storyline, making it easier to explore complex literary concepts.
Exhibits Relevant Life Lessons: Through Joel and Tony’s journey, readers are confronted with ethical dilemmas and the repercussions of their actions. The novel offers a powerful platform for teaching important life lessons about honesty, integrity, and the importance of owning up to mistakes. These themes are especially relevant for young adults navigating their own moral compass and decision-making processes.
Provides Cultural and Social Relevance: On My Honor delves into issues of peer pressure and the expectations placed on young people by society and their peers. By examining the characters’ motivations and behaviors, students can gain insights into broader societal issues such as conformity, risk-taking, and the search for identity. This encourages empathy and a deeper understanding of the complexities of adolescence.
Offer Literary Analysis Opportunities: From characterization to plot development, On My Honor offers rich material for literary analysis. Teachers can guide students in exploring narrative techniques, symbolism, and authorial intent, fostering critical thinking skills and literary appreciation. Additionally, comparing and contrasting the novel with other works allows for interdisciplinary connections and a deeper exploration of themes.
Promotes Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Through the emotional journey of Joel and Tony, readers are invited to empathize with the characters’ experiences and perspectives. This fosters a sense of empathy and understanding, encouraging students to consider different viewpoints and reflect on their own actions and decisions. By engaging with diverse characters and their struggles, students develop essential social and emotional skills.
Incorporating On My Honor into the classroom curriculum offers numerous benefits for both educators and students alike. From its engaging narrative and relevant themes to its capacity for fostering empathy and critical thinking, this novel provides a rich learning experience that extends beyond the pages of the book. By embracing the lessons and insights offered by Marion Dane Bauer’s masterpiece, teachers can create a dynamic and enriching educational environment for their students.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany On My Honor for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for On My Honor
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant is a poignant story to analyze the stages of grief a family goes through after losing a loved one. It is a great book to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies. Missing May by Cynthia Rylant is a captivating novel that offers valuable lessons and insights for students of all ages.
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Benefits of Using Missing May in Your Classroom:
Offers Engaging Storytelling: Missing May tells the story of a young girl named Summer who copes with the loss of her beloved aunt May. The novel’s rich narrative and well-developed characters engage students and draw them into the emotional journey of dealing with loss and finding hope.
Provides Themes of Resilience and Healing: Through Summer’s experiences, students can explore themes of resilience, healing, and the importance of human connections. These themes are highly relevant and can foster meaningful discussions about emotions and coping mechanisms.
Encourages Cultural Exploration: The novel also offers a glimpse into Appalachian culture and traditions, providing students with opportunities to learn about different lifestyles and perspectives. This cultural exploration can broaden their understanding of diversity and empathy.
Gives Opportunities for Literary Analysis and Critical Thinking: Missing May is rich in literary elements such as symbolism, imagery, and character development. Analyzing these elements encourages critical thinking skills and helps students deepen their comprehension of the text.
Promotes Empathy and Compassion: Through the characters’ experiences, students can develop empathy and compassion towards others who are dealing with loss or facing challenges in life. These lessons in empathy are essential for fostering a supportive and understanding classroom environment.
Strengthens Writing and Creative Expression: The novel inspires creative writing activities such as journal entries from different characters’ perspectives, alternative endings, or exploring themes through poetry. These activities enhance students’ writing skills and encourage creative expression.
Presents Cross-Curricular Connections: Missing May can be integrated into various subjects, including English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Art. This interdisciplinary approach promotes holistic learning and reinforces connections between different areas of study.
Incorporates Real-World Relevance: The themes and lessons in Missing May resonate with real-life experiences, making the novel relatable and impactful for students. It encourages them to reflect on their own emotions, experiences, and relationships.
Incorporating Missing May by Cynthia Rylant into your classroom curriculum can enrich students’ learning experiences and foster valuable skills and insights. Its engaging storytelling, themes of resilience and empathy, cultural exploration, and opportunities for creative expression make it a valuable addition to any educator’s toolkit. By using this novel, teachers can inspire meaningful discussions, promote empathy and understanding, and empower students to connect literature with their own lives.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Missing Mayfor use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Missing May
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
