TIME

 Multicultural Literature

The theme I would emphasize from this selection of readings of Multicultural literature  would be Time . I have picked time because it seems as though through all the story’s time was very important, but it was also something that the characters took for granted. In “The Metamorphosis" by Kafka he did not see how spending time with family was very important instead he saw them as a burden and only did what he wanted to do.  It reads, ''It really bothers me that he never goes out in the evening; he’s been back in the city an entire week now, but he’s spent every last evening at home. He just sits at the table with us,'' (Greenblatt 2012). Now that he has become a bug he wished he had more conversations with his parents and that he was not so focused on the things that he wanted to do.  In “The Guest” by Camus the prisoner was no longer in charge of his own time because of the crime he committed. When people make horrible mistakes in their lives that alter the way things will be for the rest of their lives they begin to think about time. In “Requiem” by Akhmatova the mother remembered being with her son and staying outside of the prison she wishes she had so much time more time with her son. It reads, ‘’Mountains bow down to this grief, Mighty rivers cease to flow ,But the prison gates hold firm’’(Greenblatt 2012). This shows how the character has a hold on his time and things will never be the same after this experience.

 Anchor Charts is a great way for the students to write things down and get a better understanding to what the difference between a theme and a main idea is, some students get very confused between the two. This also helps the students to visualize their thoughts to see where the misunderstanding happened. Click here for more information on Anchor charts and how it can help students. Here's a wonderful example!

The elements of pop culture I would use is a basketball game. I would have the students break up into teams and play a game of basketball. I will show the students how important it is to get a certain number of baskets before the time runs out. The team that made the most baskets in the time allotted for the game wins. A lot of students in high school watch sports and are in sports so they would understand how important time is and be able to connect that time to the theme in the story.

 

Here's another resource to help teachers teach themes to students Click here for more info!