lesson+plans+for+the+things+they+carried

Day 1 Lesson Plan Class Time Needed: 50 minutes

Objectives:
 * Discussion Activity**
 * Students will compare and contrast the things they carry everyday to characters in the book “The Things They Carried.”
 * Students will enhance their critical thinking skills
 * Students will reflect on the things/burdens we all carry in our lives

Materials needed: Blackboard/overhead projector

Activity: How far have you travelled? Was it a long or short journey? Was it difficult or easy? Then ask the students about the materials they may have brought with them on the Journey? E.g. backpacks, athletic shoes, homework, books. What do you carry everyday to school? What might you carry in the summertime? What do you carry to do work in school? What things do you carry that are visible to the world? What things do you carry that are hidden from the world? What things do you carry that are placed upon you by others? Are the things you carry abstract or symbolic? What do you carry that you would like to put down? When students are done making their lists, either have them share and you (the teacher), or a few of the students share their lists by writing them on the board. You may also want other students to add to the existing list made by their peers.
 * 1) As the students enter the room ask students what it has taken them to get to your classroom. Prompt the discussion with such questions as:
 * 1) Using the prior conversation as a stimulus, have the students take out a piece of paper and list all the things they carry with them; literally and symbolically- everyday of their lives.
 * 2) As students begin to make their lists prompt them with some additional questions to help the process.
 * 1) Using the list created on the board, ask students to categorize their list by using headings such as: “luxuries”, “necessities” “things I Love” “Things that make me ME” and “Things I would like to put down”. The purpose of this exercise is to help students realize that everyone has burdens/things they carry that they would rather not.
 * 2) Ask students to estimate the symbolic weights that they may carry. Ex. One student may be carrying a book in a subject that they do not like which to them may weigh 50lbs, yet to another student it may feel weightless. This is help students realize that the things we carry hold significance to us depending on our personal experiences.