Ms.

Miller English 9 Honors

To Kill a Mockingbird Cooperative Activity

Find your group’s theme and read the instructions under it.

As a group, read and discuss the tasks. You will then work together as a
group to create informative transparencies that will teach the class about
your findings. Cite quotes with page numbers so that classmates can follow
along. Be prepared to explain the connections of your citings.

The most important thing your group is to be doing is discussing these

questions within the context of the novel. This means that you are
answering them with quotes as proof for your answers.

When groups present their findings, all students are expected to take notes.
Each group has different questions. The answers will be helpful to you on
the test based on the novel, as the prompts cover information you need to
know about themes of TKM.

* Use transparencies wisely.

Each group will find the following for their theme:

1. EVIDENCE FROM THE STORY: Find three examples of your theme throughout
the entire novel. Give specific evidence from the text. Write the examples and
find quotes from the novel, noting the chapter and page number.
2. CONFLICTS: Discuss three conflicts that have evolved around these themes.
(man vs.man, man vs. nature, man vs. society, man vs. self)
3. CONNECTING THEMES: As we discussed, literature usually contains themes
that involve human behaviors and beliefs, and that are universal to time and
place. What are the implications that these issues have for our present day
society?
4. CREATE TWO QUESTIONS TO ASK “YOUR STUDENTS” ABOUT THIS
THEME. You will call on volunteers to answer.
5. ILLUSTRATE: Draw or illustrate a representation of what your theme means to
your group. Be creative. This is to accommodate visual learners.

Insight, maturity, understanding, and integrity

have no relation to age, social position, or formal education.

This grade will go on 3rd marking period. You will receive a group grade and
an individual grade.
Ms. Miller English 9 Honors

GROUP 1
Deceptive Appearances
You have heard of the expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Many of the characters in the
novel are not what they truly seem to be . Harper Lee wrote about characters who challenge how
we judge others. Your theme is Deceptive Appearances. For example, most people saw Mrs.
Dubose as a mean-spirited old woman, Boo Radley as a reclusive madman, and Dolphus
Raymond as a social deviant.
The Finches look closer and see something more than the gossiping town sees in all of these
people.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you
climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus’ words form an ongoing theme in the novel.

GROUP 2
Childhood and Coming of Age/ Maturity
Tips: What do Jem and/or Scout find about him/herself and society? How does Jem/or Scout
mature as he/she encounters different situations and people? How Scout and Jem’s views change
about their father, society, Boo, and many other things. The most important part of a child’s
education may take place in the home and community rather than in the school. Is there anyone
else in the novel that metaphorically “comes of age” or becomes enlightened by losing some of
his/her ignorance?

GROUP 3
Racial and Class Inequality: Acceptance and Ignorance
Racism and culture run deep in the town of Maycomb. There is an awareness of the difference in
social class levels that affect the actions and values of the characters. Ex. Aunt Alexandra, Miss
Caroline and many more… How did this class system affect the fate Bob Ewell, Tom Robinson,
Walter Cunningham, etc.

GROUP 4
Conforming to conventions (rules and customs) of society:
The story deals with the prejudices and values that the society holds. The individual that
courageously poses a different view than society, is sometimes discriminated against and isolated,
for not "flowing with the norm."
Hints: Gossip, Aunt Alexandra, those who choose to conform and those who don’t, discuss the
views of different characters. Ex. Miss Maudie and the “foot-washing Baptists.”

GROUP 5
Innocence
Innocence is recurring theme in the novel. There are many ways this can be expressed. Here are
some hints. (mockingbirds, who are the mockingbirds symbolically in the story, Tom Robinson,
Scout, Jem, Dill, Boo, etc.)

GROUP 6
Minor Themes: Education, Family, Friendship
How do the different classes of Maycomb view these essential values in life? For example, how do
the Ewell’s value education as opposed to Atticus? Discuss various characters.
Ms. Miller English 9 Honors
Hint: There are friendships besides that of Jem, Scout and Dill. There are several indirect
friendships that exist that shape the relationships and growth of the characters. (ex. Atticus and his
kids, Boo and the kids, and more…)