Boy Tales of Childhood Discussion and Writing Unit Plan

By Timothy R. Baldwin

Dive into the extraordinary world of Roald Dahl's childhood with this captivating unit plan centered around his timeless classic, "Boy: Tales of Childhood." In this immersive journey, students will embark on a literary adventure, unraveling the secrets behind Dahl's masterful storytelling and discovering the artistry hidden within the pages of his memoir.

 

As students delve into the whimsical anecdotes and poignant reflections of Dahl's early years, they will uncover the intricate craft behind his narrative. From the clever use of vivid imagery to the subtle nuances of character development, Dahl's writing serves as a rich tapestry for exploration, inviting students to dissect and analyze his techniques with critical acumen.

 

But this unit is more than just a study of literary devices; it's an invitation for students to become storytellers themselves. Through guided discussions and creative exercises, students will learn to harness Dahl's craft and apply it to the creation of their own mini-memoirs. They'll delve into their own memories, mining for nuggets of truth and moments of significance to weave into narratives that are uniquely their own.

 

With each lesson, students will sharpen their critical thinking skills as they examine the choices Dahl made in crafting his memoir, and then apply those insights to their own writing. From the whimsical to the poignant, from the hilarious to the heart-wrenching, students will explore the spectrum of human experience, all while honing their ability to craft compelling narratives.

 

This unit plan is not just about studying literature; it's about empowering students to find their voices and share their stories with the world. Through the lens of "Boy: Tales of Childhood," students will discover the power of storytelling and emerge as confident writers ready to leave their own indelible mark on the literary landscape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy R. Baldwin
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224045532

Timothy R. Baldwin

Tim, a seasoned educator with over 15 years of teaching experience across multiple grade levels in English and Drama, has established himself as a dedicated writer with a diverse academic background. He holds a B.S. in Theatre from Towson University, an M.A.T. from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and an M.A. in Creative Writing and Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Originally from Syracuse, New York, Tim currently resides in Maryland, where he imparts his passion for English, Creative Writing, Film, and Theatre to high school students. His journey into writing began earnestly in 2014, spurred by the encouragement of his own students. Tim's love for storytelling stems from his upbringing, where his mother's dedication to reading to him and his siblings laid the foundation for his literary pursuits. Tim embarked on his writing endeavors, influenced by authors such as C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, and others in the mystery, thriller, and fantasy genres. Since his debut publication in 2019, Tim has rapidly expanded his literary footprint, amassing a wealth of published works. Beyond writing, Tim enjoys indulging in his diverse interests, including reading, teaching, camping, savoring cigars, shooting, and attending live music concerts. Follow Tim on Social Media facebook.com/timothyrbaldwin instagram.com/timothyrbaldwin

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About the Unit Plan

This unit plan is designed to promote student discussion within the classroom.  

Each of the teacher resource (TR) pages contains question ideas to be used to help a teacher facilitate a class discussion in the stages of Initial Understanding, Developing Ideas, Learning from the Text, and Critical Stance.  When facilitating a classroom discussion, it is important to let the students do most of the talking. Therefore, a discussion should begin with the students’ wonderings about the text and be followed by the responses of other students.

The Reading and Assignment Guide is designed so that students are required to respond to the text during and after they have finished the assigned reading.   It is important to remind the students that their Wonder Questions should not be find out questions but should be figure out questions.  In other words, the aim of their questions is to promote discussion that begins with the students.  In addition to the 5 Wonder Questions, the students are also required to identify the author’s use of literary devices within the novel.  It is recommended that the teacher model how to find these elements within the text prior to sending the students home to read. 

Students should also be reminded to list and explain the 3 most important events within each section of reading.  Responses for these will vary.

The assessment pieces – BCR (Brief Constructed Response) Essays and the final plot analysis – can be used as formative or summative assessments depending on how much prior knowledge a class may have had with the specific skill being assessed.  It is likely that students will have a harder time with Point of View and evaluating the author’s style of writing.  Analyzing the author’s use of figurative language to create a character and identifying and analyzing recurring themes may become easier for your students.  Again, it depends upon how much practice the students have had with