Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes, Motifs, and Imagery to Look For and Discuss
- The Importance of Following Your Dreams
- Race and Identity
- Family Dynamics
- Mama’s Plant
- Beneatha’s Hair
- The Life Insurance Money
Motifs & Symbols
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in A Raisin in the Sun. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from A Raisin in the Sun you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for the example(s) that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the play, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes, Motifs, and Imagery to Look For and Discuss
- The Importance of Following Your Dreams
- Race and Identity
- Family Dynamics
- Mama’s Plant
- Beneatha’s Hair
- The Life Insurance Money
Motifs & Symbols
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in A Raisin in the Sun. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from A Raisin in the Sun you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for the example(s) that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about A Raisin in the Sun Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Organize a class discussion using themes from A Raisin in the Sun
Begin by selecting two or three main themes from the play, such as dreams or family dynamics. Invite students to share examples from the text that relate to each theme. Use guiding questions to keep the conversation focused and encourage students to support their ideas with evidence from the play. This approach helps students practice critical thinking and text analysis in a supportive setting.
Build anticipation with a pre-reading activity
Introduce key themes and symbols before reading the play. Ask students to predict how these elements might appear in the story. This strategy activates prior knowledge and sets a purpose for reading, making students more engaged and attentive to details as they encounter them.
Assign roles for deeper engagement
Have students take on roles such as theme tracker, symbol spotter, or motif master during reading or discussion. Each student is responsible for finding examples related to their assigned focus. This cooperative approach ensures every student participates and develops expertise in a specific literary element.
Connect themes to students’ lives
Encourage students to reflect on how themes from the play connect to their own experiences or current events. Facilitate a short writing prompt or group discussion. Relating literature to real life boosts engagement and helps students see the relevance of classic texts.
Wrap up with a creative synthesis project
Assign a project where students illustrate or act out a key theme, symbol, or motif from the play. They can use drawings, short skits, or digital media to demonstrate understanding. Creative projects make themes memorable and allow students to express their interpretations in diverse ways.
Frequently Asked Questions about A Raisin in the Sun Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
What are the main themes in A Raisin in the Sun?
A Raisin in the Sun explores key themes such as the importance of following your dreams, race and identity, and family dynamics. Each character's journey highlights the struggle for a better life and the challenges faced by African American families in the mid-20th century.
How can I teach A Raisin in the Sun themes using storyboards?
To teach themes from A Raisin in the Sun using storyboards, have students identify major themes, create illustrations for each, and write brief descriptions. This visual activity encourages engagement and helps students provide evidence from the text for each theme.
What symbols are important in A Raisin in the Sun?
Key symbols in the play include Mama’s plant (representing hope and care for the family), Beneatha’s hair (symbolizing identity and pride), and the life insurance money (dreams and opportunity). Discussing these helps students understand deeper meanings in the text.
What is the significance of Mama’s plant in A Raisin in the Sun?
Mama’s plant symbolizes her nurturing spirit and hope for the family’s future. Despite harsh conditions, she tends to the plant, much like she cares for her family’s dreams and well-being.
What are some easy lesson ideas for teaching motifs in A Raisin in the Sun?
Easy lesson ideas include having students track motifs like Mama’s plant or Beneatha’s hair throughout the play, illustrate key scenes, and write descriptions explaining their significance. This helps reinforce comprehension and critical thinking.
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