Book Study Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Example Students

Topic: Book Study: Devils Arithmetic

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understanding the theme of "Devil's Arithmetic" and its historical context.
• Appreciation of the writing style and structure of the book.

Materials

• Copies of the book "Devil's Arithmetic" for each student
• Handouts with key terms and quotes from the book
• Historical timeline and map for context
• Writing prompts for completion and discussion

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have heard of the Holocaust or know anything about it.
• Discuss the basic facts of the Holocaust and how it affected the lives of many people.
• Ask students if they have ever read a book that was based on a real event or someone's real life.
• Brainstorm a list of examples together (e.g. To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the trial of Tom Robinson in Alabama).
• Ask students if they have ever read a book about a historical event or period in time.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the book, Devils Arithmetic by Jane Schwartz.
• Explain that the book is based on the true story of the Holocaust and the events that took place in the concentration camps.
• Discuss the characters and the plot of the book.
• Ask students to consider how the author was able to capture the events and emotions of the Holocaust in her novel.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a section of the book to read and discuss.
• Have students take notes as they read and set aside time to discuss the sections with their group.
• Ask students to consider how the author was able to convey the emotions and events of the Holocaust in their section of the book.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one character from the book to focus on.
• Have them write a character analysis that explores the character's personality, motivations, and background.
• Ask students to consider how the events in the book have shaped the character's beliefs and actions.

Closure

• As a class, discuss the themes and main ideas of the book.
• Ask students to reflect on the characters' choices and how they relate to the themes.
• Encourage students to think about how they might respond to similar situations in their own lives.

Assessment

• Observe students during the independent practice activity and give feedback on their presentations.
• Collect and grade the presentations for understanding of the theme and ability to apply the theme to their own lives.