lenny

Meet Tom Sawyer

user image

Lesson Plan

Meet Tom Sawyer

Students will be able to describe the main character and setting of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by answering comprehension questions on a worksheet.

This lesson introduces students to a classic American literary character and setting, building foundational understanding for deeper analysis of themes, plot, and literary devices in 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through a journal entry, read-aloud, and worksheet, students will explore Tom Sawyer's character and world.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Journal Entry: My Own Adventures

5 minutes

  1. Distribute the My Own Adventures Journal to each student.
  2. Instruct students to complete the journal entry prompt provided in their journals.
  3. Allow students 5 minutes to write independently.

Step 2

Read Aloud & Comprehension Check

10 minutes

  1. Display the Daily Slides and begin with the introduction to "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
  2. Read aloud a selected excerpt from the beginning of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" that introduces Tom and his setting (e.g., Aunt Polly calling for Tom, Tom's initial mischievous acts, descriptions of St. Petersburg).
  3. Pause periodically to ask questions from the Daily Slides to check for comprehension of character and setting.
  4. Encourage students to share their initial thoughts and observations about Tom and his environment.

Step 3

Worksheet Practice: Tom's World

10 minutes

  1. Distribute the Tom's World Worksheet to each student.
  2. Explain that students will answer the comprehension questions based on the reading and discussion.
  3. Circulate around the room to provide support and answer any questions.
  4. After students have completed the worksheet, briefly review the answers as a class, encouraging students to justify their responses.

Step 4

Group Discussion: First Impressions

5 minutes

  1. Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  2. Pose the discussion question from the Daily Slides:
    • "Based on our reading, what are your first impressions of Tom Sawyer? What kind of person do you think he is, and what makes you say that?"
  3. Allow groups 3-4 minutes to discuss.
  4. Bring the class back together and ask a few groups to share their key discussion points.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Mark Twain's World!

Today, we're diving into a literary adventure! We'll:

  • Meet a famous character: Tom Sawyer
  • Discover his world
  • Think about our own adventures

Get ready to explore!

Welcome students and introduce the day's lesson. Explain that they will begin exploring a classic American novel. Build excitement for meeting a new character.

Your Own Adventures!

Before we meet Tom, let's think about our adventures.

Take a few minutes to write in your journals about a time you:

  • Discovered something new
  • Had a memorable experience
  • Maybe even got into a little harmless mischief!

Be ready to share (if you want!).

Introduce the author, Mark Twain, and the book, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.' Briefly set the historical context without giving away too much of the plot. Transition to the journal activity, linking it to the idea of personal adventures.

Meeting Tom and His World

Let's read an excerpt from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

As we read, think about:

  • Who is Tom Sawyer? What are his first actions and characteristics?
  • Where does he live? What details describe his town and home?

Comprehension Check Questions:

  • Who is calling for Tom at the beginning of the story?
  • What is Tom doing that suggests he might be mischievous?
  • Describe the setting based on the initial descriptions.

Guide students through the reading. Read aloud engagingly. Pause at key moments to ask the comprehension questions. Encourage active listening and participation. Remind them to think about 'who' Tom is and 'where' he lives.

Explore Tom's World: Worksheet Time!

Now that we've met Tom and explored his setting, it's time to solidify your understanding!

Complete the Tom's World Worksheet individually.

  • Use details from our reading.
  • Answer carefully.

We'll discuss your answers briefly afterwards!

Explain the purpose of the worksheet. Emphasize using details from the reading. Circulate to provide support. Briefly review answers after the activity to solidify understanding.

Group Discussion: First Impressions

In your groups, discuss:

"Based on our reading, what are your first impressions of Tom Sawyer? What kind of person do you think he is, and what makes you say that?"

  • Think about his actions.
  • Consider his interactions with others.
  • Be ready to share your group's ideas with the class!

Organize students into small groups for discussion. Give them a clear time limit. Circulate to listen to discussions and prompt deeper thinking if needed. Bring the class back for a quick share-out, focusing on diverse interpretations.

lenny

Worksheet

Tom's World Worksheet

Directions: Read the questions carefully and answer them using complete sentences based on the excerpt from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" we read in class. Provide details from the text to support your answers.

  1. Who is Aunt Polly, and what is her relationship with Tom?






  2. Describe Tom Sawyer based on his actions and personality traits revealed in the reading. What kind of boy does he seem to be?











  3. What are some of Tom's mischievous behaviors mentioned in the excerpt?






  4. Describe the general setting of the story (St. Petersburg). What details from the text help you visualize this place?











  5. How does the author, Mark Twain, introduce the character of Tom Sawyer to the reader?






  6. Imagine you are a resident of St. Petersburg. What would be your first impression of Tom Sawyer? Explain your reasoning.











lenny
lenny

Journal

My Own Adventures Journal

Prompt: Before we meet Tom Sawyer, let's think about our own lives! Write about a time you had a memorable adventure, discovered something new, or even got into a little harmless mischief. What happened? How did it make you feel? What did you learn?

Consider:

  • Where were you?
  • Who were you with?
  • What was the most exciting or surprising part?
  • Did you learn anything about yourself or the world around you?

































Bonus Reflection: What kind of person do you think someone who seeks out adventures might be?





lenny
lenny