Lesson Title: Tom, Sam and How We Play    

 

By: Dee Anne Squire

 

Burning Question:

·   Can students see how Sam Clemens’ used his own life as inspiration for his novels? 

·   Can students select incidents from their own lives and develop fictional stories?

 

Objective/Introduction: 

·   Students will make text-to-self and text-to-text connections. 

·   Students will become familiar with what play was like a century ago, and identify what prompted it.

·   Students will analyze their own play and identify what inspires it.

 

Context: 

This lesson can stand-alone or it can be used after the lesson “Work or Play.” (Best for grades 2-5.)   For younger grades convert the first group discussion to a class discussion and focus on the extension mural rather than the writing. 

 

Materials:

·   The passage from the book Usborne Classics Retold: Tom Sawyer beginning on page 46 with the paragraph: “Tom climbed out of the town . . .” through the end of the chapter on page 51. 

·   The section entitled, “Games That Sam Played,” from the book Mark Twain for Kids by R. Kent Rasmussen on page 15.

·   Paper for each student to create his or her own book.

·   Art supplies

 

Time Span:

About 40 minutes to share, read, and discuss.  Plan on at least another 30-40 minutes for students to complete their books.  This can be completed over a couple of days; just collect the recorder’s notes, and redistribute them to groups when it comes time to do their writing. 

 

Procedures:

·          Put students into groups of 3-4.  Chose one person to be the recorder.  Assign all students to talk about the following questions.  The recorder should write down all of the responses to share with the class. 

a.       What do you play?

b.      Who are your companions/ friends?

c.       Who is the person in charge of choosing what and how you play?

d.      Where do you get your play ideas?

e.       Where is the location of your play? Ex. Inside, Outside, computer room, tree

·         After students have had time to talk, ask each group to choose two things to share with the class.  Circle them on the recorder’s paper.  Choose a spokesperson.  Allow each group to share. 

·         Introduce the class to Samuel Clemens and tell them you are going to share information about what he played over 100 years ago.  Ask the class to answer the above questions again acting as if they were Sam.  They will discover the answers to the question as you read aloud the section “Games that Sam Played.”   Discuss students’ answers after the section is complete.  Look for similarities or differences between their play and Sam’s play. 

·         Introduce students to Tom Sawyer, the character created by Mark Twain/ Samuel Clemens.  Again ask students to look at the above questions, this time answering them for Tom.  Read the passage from Usborne Classics Retold: Tom Sawyer.  Discuss the similarities and differences between the games Tom played and the games Sam played.  Students should discover that Sam took the inspiration for Tom’s play from his own childhood. 

·         Assign students to create a short book based on the games they play.  Each student should create his or her own character.  Then use that character to share information about the games they play.  The amount of illustrations and writing should be based on the ability level of the students.  A study buddy could help young students write after the student has created the story though artwork. 

·         Arrange students once again in small groups to share the stories with one another.  Have them discuss the similarities and differences in the games they and their friends play.

·         Anonymously circulate the stories among the students.  After reading each story students make a guess as to who the author is based on the character created and the games that character played.  Talk to the students about what information helps us to make a more informed prediction. 

 

Extensions:

·         Using the stories the students created about their play; make a class mural of play.  Make sure that everyone has an opportunity to add his or her specific ideas.  Upon completion read the mural and discuss what more you have learned about play in the 21st century. 

·         Let students experience yesterday by making a Paddlewheel Boat.  Instructions are on page 34-35 of Mark Twain for Kids. Set up a course for racing the boats.

 

Rationale:

As students take a closer look at their play, especially compared with someone from long ago, they should be able to draw conclusions. They might recognize about consequences, good or bad, of their play, and make thoughtful changes in their behavior. 

  

Resources:

·         Brook, Henry and Mark Twain. Tom Sawyer (Usborne Classics Retold), London: Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2008.

·         Mucci, Tom (Author) and Rad Sechrist (Illustrator). All-Action Classics #2: Tom Sawyer. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., 2007.

·         Rasmusen, Kent. Mark Twain for Kids: His Life & Times, 21 Activities (For Kids series), Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2004.

·         From OnlineQuilter, Victorian Parlor Games: http://www.onlinequilter.com/MommyMe/19thCenturyChildrensGames/tabid/275/Default.aspx