Activity Overview
There are many themes, symbols, and motifs present throughout the novel The Stars Beneath Our Feet. In this activity, students will identify themes, symbols, and motifs in the novel and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found!
Examples of Themes, Symbols and Motifs in The Stars Beneath Our Feet
- Family
- Friendship
- Counseling
- Coming of Age
- Trauma
- Grief and Acceptance
- Street violence and Gun violence
- Death
- Choices
- Art, Creativity, and Imagination
- The Coyote
- The Legos
- The Gun
- Jermaine's Bed
- Harmonee
- Stars
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in The Stars Beneath Our Feet. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from The Stars Beneath Our Feet you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Symbol(s) | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. |
How To Conduct a Role Play Activity on “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”
Divide the Scenes
Teachers can first divide the book into particular scenes for students to re-create. These scenes can incorporate the major details that are significant to the story and leave out less significant things. Ensure that students understand how they will be recreating these scenes and guide them throughout the process of script writing.
Encourage Group Formation
Divide the students into groups and explain the rules and objectives of the activity. Ask each group to pick one chapter or a particular scene they want to re-create from the narrative. Allow only one group to pick one scene so that all the groups together can re-create the entire narrative when performing in order.
Foster Creativity and Perspective
Stress that although students should stick to the plot and the characters' personalities, they are also free to use their own unique interpretations. This makes it possible to go deeper into the text and interact with the characters. Ask the students to creatively express their interpretations with the help of the role-playing activity and take into account the opinions of their group members for a better collaborative experience.
Link to Broader Themes
Encourage the students to connect the role-play to the book's overarching ideas. Talk about how the role-play's scenes support the book's overarching theme of community, creativity, and personal development.
Reflect and Discuss
As the exercise comes to an end, invite each student to consider their own role-playing experience. Ask them to reflect on how comprehending the work and its ideas was improved by taking on the roles of the characters and if their perspective has changed or shifted after they looked at the situation from the perspectives of the characters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Themes and Symbols in “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”
What is the significance of community as a theme in the book?
One important element that illustrates the interwoven lives of the individuals in Harlem is community. It emphasizes the value of social networks and the contribution of a social effort to provide personal development. In the book, the community contributes to the development of Lolly’s personality and his efforts to deal with his grief and trauma.
How Is the theme of creativity explored in the narrative?
Lolly's love of creating elaborate Lego buildings is an example of creativity. The book looks at how expressing oneself creatively may help one overcome obstacles and reach one's full potential. This creativity also helps Lolly make new friends and deal with his grief after his brother’s tragic death.
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