Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
End of Unit Social Studies Project
Prejudice is one of the main themes in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The novel is set in the American South during the 1930's, but working to overcome prejudice is as important today as it was during the period of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
People experience discrimination when they are denied their rights as a result of prejudice.
In Roll of Thunder, racial prejudice is the reason for the discrimination that the Logan family experience. Prejudice and discrimination can be based on ethnic, religious, social, economic, age, gender, or other differences.
In this activity, you will:
* Use the dictionary to define the terms: prejudice and discrimination
* Identify 4 examples of prejudice and discrimination in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
* Interview a family member or friend over the age of 25 about examples of prejudice and discrimination in their lives
* Reflect on the issues of prejudice and discrimination within your own culture
*Recreate your favorite scene from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
1. Defining Your Terms ActivityLength: 2 sentences
Instructions:______points
1) Use a dictionary to help you define the terms: prejudice & discrimination.
2) After you have studied the definitions of the terms, use a separate sheet of paper to create your own definitionsin your own words to share in class.
2. Prejudice in Roll of Thunder ActivityLength: 1-2 paragraphs typed
Instructions:______points
Using your book, describe two specific examples of prejudice from the novel. Be prepared to share your examples with the class. For each description of prejudice, answer the following questions:
1)What happened during this example of prejudice?
2)On what page of the novel did this example occur?
3) Who are the characters involved?
4) At what part of a story map does this example occur (Exposition, Rising Actions, Climax, Falling Actions, or Resolution/Denouement)?
5) How did this example affect the characters involved or the plot of the story?
3. Discrimination in Roll of Thunder ActivityLength: 1-2 paragraphs typed
Instructions:______points
Using your book, describe two specific examples of discrimination from the novel. Again, be sure to be specific when describing your example. Be prepared to share your examples with the class. For each description of discrimination, answer the following questions:
1) What happened during this example of discrimination?
2) On what page of the novel does this example occur?
3) Who are the characters involved?
4) At what part of a story map does this example occur (Exposition, Rising Actions, Climax, Falling Actions, or Resolution/Denouement)?
5) How did this example affect the characters involved or the plot of the story?
4. Interviewing Others about Prejudice & Discrimination Activity
Length: 1-2 paragraphs typed______points
Even if you haven't experienced prejudice or discrimination yourself, you may know others who have.
Instructions:
Interview one (1) older family member or friend (someone who is at least 25 years old) to learn about the way others may have experienced or observed prejudice and discrimination in their lifetimes. Describe one (1) specific example of discrimination or prejudice that your interviewee shares with you. Be prepared to share your interview with the class.
When writingyour description of a real life act of prejudice and discrimination, answer the following questions:
1) Identify your interviewee:
a. Who is he/she?
b. What is his/her age?
2) Write a description of the act of prejudice or discrimination that was experienced or observed by the interviewee:
a. What type of prejudice or discrimination was involved (racial, ethnic, economic, religious, age, gender, or other cause)?
b. What happened during the incident? Be specific.
b. When did the incident take place?
c. Where did the incident take place?
d. Who was involved?
e. How did this incident affect the interviewee? How did he/she react to the incident?
f. Now that you have finished reading the novel and interviewing a family member or relative, how do you feel about prejudice and discrimination in the United States?
Write some sample interview questions below:
1.
2.
Creating a Diorama! ______points
Using a shoe box, recreate your favorite scene from Roll of Thunder. Using colorful construction paper, create a 3-dimensional picture of your favorite scene. Make sure your scene includes a background, the correct characters, and that it shows the correct situation you have chosen from the novel.
On top of the shoe box, one (1) typed paragraph should be glued or taped down. Your paragraph should answer the following questions:
- What is your favorite scene from Roll of Thunder?
- On what page of the novel can your favorite scene be found?
- Why is it your favorite scene? Give 3 reasons.