Good vs. Evil: Positive People

An Adventure of the American Mind

Illinois State University

Jason McCoy

Ridgeview C.U.S.D. #19

Fall 2007

An Adventure of the American Mind

Illinois State University

Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Culture,

American Folklife Center, Washington, D.C. 20540

“Good vs. Evil” is a recurring theme in the elementary curriculum. When discussing literature, even at the earliest reading levels, good and evil are two of the items that students notice first. This is also something that is used in character education, as it is used when introducing “good choices” with younger students. In social studies/history classes, “good vs. evil” can describe a variety of topics. In language arts, “good vs. evil” is a common theme in many stories, and can describe almost any struggle with the main character, as there must always be a conflict to have an effective story. In later grades, the terms “antagonist” and “protagonist” can be introduced.

Overview/ Materials/LOC Resources/Standards/ Procedures/Evaluation/Handouts/Extension

OverviewBack to Navigation Bar
Objectives / Students will:
  • define what is “good” and what is “evil.”
  • identify positive/negative choices.
  • identify positive/negative characters in literature
  • identify positive/negative people in history (upper elementary)
  • use primary sources to display both positive and negative heroes and choices in “real life”

Recommended time frame / Three 30 minute discussions and work time for library; more if collaborating with classroom teacher
Grade level / K-2 (modifications at each level)
Curriculum fit / Language Arts, Character Education, Library, Social Studies
Materials /
  • “SuperDog: The Heart of a Hero” by Mark & Caralyn Buehner (K-2)
  • David Adler picture book biographies
  • Posterboard, markers

Illinois State Learning StandardsBack to Navigation Bar
Language Arts:
GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.
  • Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.
  • 2.A.1a Identify the literary elements of theme, setting, plot and character within literary works.
GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.
  • 5.A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas.
  • 5.B. Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources.
  • 5.C. Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.

ProceduresBack to Navigation Bar
Day One:
  • Read “Superdog: The Heart of a Hero” and discuss the hero (or, during different themed months, David Adler picture biographies can be used)
  • Discuss the story: identify setting, characters, plot
  • Discuss the positive choices in the story
  • Discuss conflict (or “evil” element) in the story
Day Two:
  • Use primary sources (presented by instructor) to show examples of positive figures and times in our history
  • Introduce characters or pictures to class and discuss what is the “good” element, and what is the “evil” element
  • These pictures may be of famous people, everyday heroes (such as firemen, teachers, military servicemen)
  • Discuss positive and negative choices and obstacles that each person or picture faces
Day Three:
  • Print out pictures and create a “positive poster” collage of citizens who have made positive contributions to society
  • Display posters in hallway or media center

EvaluationBack to Navigation Bar
  • (informal) – effectiveness of lesson will be evaluated by quality of discussion and finished “poster” product

Extension Back to Navigation Bar
Can be extended to social studies or language arts unit.

Primary Resources from the Library of Congress

Back to Navigation Bar

Image / Description / Citation / URL
/ Drawing submitted by Sequoyah Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee. / Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Washington, D.C. 20540 /
/ Crimean Conference--Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Marshal Joseph Stalin at the palace in Yalta, where the Big Three met /U.S. Signal Corps photo. / Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA /
/ Shows head-and-shoulders portrait of Jackie Robinson in Brooklyn Dodgers cap; inset image shows Jackie Robinson covering a slide at second base. / Library of Congress Serial and Government Publications Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA / ppmsc.00133

/ Part of September 11th documentary project, scene of 9/11 drawn by elementary student. / Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Washington, D.C. 20540 /

An Adventure of the American Mind

Illinois State University

Elements of a Story

Setting – the place and time of a story

Characters – people, animals, or other main figures of a story; hero (protagonist) and villain (antagonist) are key

Plot – what happens in the story; action

-Exposition – background info

-Conflict – problem *most important!

-Climax – solving the conflict

-Resolution – “wrap-up” to the characters (“…they lived happily ever after.”)