1. SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Language Arts & Artistic Language- Pictures as Prompts (8th Grade)
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Standards Addressed in This Lesson:
-identify the difference between the concepts of theme in a literary work and author's purpose in an expository text (GPS) (8LA_B2009-3)
Area for Teacher Notes:
Major Art Modality Utilized: Artistic Language, Visual Art
Multiple Intelligences Addressed: Linguistic, Visual-Spatial
Lesson Abstract: Using a variety of visual images, students will create a selection of creative writings to further their understanding of the idea of theme or motif.
Materials Needed: The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. A variety of laminated images from magazines and the Internet- the images can contain people, animals, locations, etc. I usually do not include pictures of people that are immediately recognizable (celebrities, political figures, etc) because I want to encourage students to be creative.
Procedures:
1. Ask students to get a blank piece of paper out. Choose one of the illustrations from the Chris Van Allsburg book, showing the picture to the class and reading the starter line. Ask the students to continue the story in their own words, prompting them by asking “And then....” Give them a few minutes to write a paragraph or two.
2. Take a few of the student’s pieces and share them with the class. Discuss the variety of different directions the different people took with their responses.
3. Discuss the idea of theme or motif. Define the terms on the board for the class. List a variety of themes on the board as well. Example themes could include: Family, loyalty, good vs. evil, loss, power of nature, etc.

2. SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Language Arts & Artistic Language- Pictures as Prompts (8th Grade)
Page 2 of 2
Standards Addressed in this Lesson:
-write ideas in story form with attention to sequence, main ideas, and supporting details (GPS) (4LA_F )
-write personal narratives, responses to literature, and content-area pieces of an appropriate length to address a topic or tell a story (GPS) (5LA_E )
-write text of a length appropriate to address the topic or tell the story while excluding extraneous and inappropriate information (GPS) (6LA_E )
-analyze recurring and similar themes across a variety of selections, distinguishing theme from topic (GPS) (7LA_C )
Procedures: (Continued)
4. Divide the class up into groups of 4 or 5. Hand each group a photo or picture at random. Instruct the students to choose a theme or motif for their writing assignment as an individual but based on the same image as everyone in their group. Students should write for a set amount of time, trying to fill a page with a stream-of-consciousness amount of writing.
5. Students should share their picture and their piece with the class as a whole and the class should try to determine what the theme or motif was in the piece of writing. Students that used the same picture should discuss how their piece was similar or different from their group members.
6. Possible Assignment Extension: The Chris Van Allsburg website has a writing contest based on The Mystery of Harris Burdick.
Assessment: Student writing should be connected with a picture in a logical way and they should have an identifiable theme or motif present in their writing. This activity is meant to be a bridge to a larger discussion of theme and motif as found in works of literature.
Resources/ Links:
- Official Chris Van Allsburg website