Activity Overview
A Wrinkle in Time explores many abstract concepts about freedom, individuality, and choice. These themes are applied both to the individual characters and to entire societies and governmental structures. Students can better understand the importance of these ideas and connect with the text by exploring these concepts in their own lives and the world around them.
For this activity, ask students to compare and contrast important concepts by illustrating them with storyboard examples. The examples may be drawn from personal experience, from history, or from the novel.
Suggested Concepts
- Like vs. Equal
- Fate vs. Free Will
- Utopia vs. Dystopia
- Reason vs. Emotion
- Differences as a Weakness vs. Differences as a Strength
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
Compare and contrast important thematic concepts from the book.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose two sets of concepts to explore from the list below or discuss other topics with your teacher.
- Create a picture to represent each concept in its own square, using an example from the book or the world around you. Explain your depiction in the text box below it.
- In the third box in each row, explain how the concepts are similar and/or different. Provide an image that highlights this connection or difference.
Suggested Concepts
- Like vs. Equal
- Fate vs. Free Will
- Utopia vs. Dystopia
- Reason vs. Emotion
- Differences as a Weakness vs. Differences as a Strength
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 19 Points | Beginning 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding of the story elements. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Textual Explanation | The text clearly and accurately describes all the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text clearly and accurately describes most of the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text fails to describe most of the scenes clearly and accurately. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
A Wrinkle in Time explores many abstract concepts about freedom, individuality, and choice. These themes are applied both to the individual characters and to entire societies and governmental structures. Students can better understand the importance of these ideas and connect with the text by exploring these concepts in their own lives and the world around them.
For this activity, ask students to compare and contrast important concepts by illustrating them with storyboard examples. The examples may be drawn from personal experience, from history, or from the novel.
Suggested Concepts
- Like vs. Equal
- Fate vs. Free Will
- Utopia vs. Dystopia
- Reason vs. Emotion
- Differences as a Weakness vs. Differences as a Strength
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
Compare and contrast important thematic concepts from the book.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose two sets of concepts to explore from the list below or discuss other topics with your teacher.
- Create a picture to represent each concept in its own square, using an example from the book or the world around you. Explain your depiction in the text box below it.
- In the third box in each row, explain how the concepts are similar and/or different. Provide an image that highlights this connection or difference.
Suggested Concepts
- Like vs. Equal
- Fate vs. Free Will
- Utopia vs. Dystopia
- Reason vs. Emotion
- Differences as a Weakness vs. Differences as a Strength
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 19 Points | Beginning 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding of the story elements. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Textual Explanation | The text clearly and accurately describes all the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text clearly and accurately describes most of the scenes and concepts depicted. | The text fails to describe most of the scenes clearly and accurately. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Concept Exploration in A Wrinkle in Time
How to Facilitate a Class Debate on Key Themes from A Wrinkle in Time
Encourage students to engage deeply with the novel's abstract concepts by guiding them in a structured class debate. Debates allow students to critically examine and defend differing perspectives, helping them internalize important themes.
Select debate topics that align with novel themes
Choose topics such as 'Is individuality more important than equality?' or 'Does free will outweigh fate?' to connect directly with the book’s core ideas. This ensures debates are relevant and thought-provoking for your students.
Assign students to opposing sides
Divide students into groups or pairs, assigning each side of the argument. Assigning positions at random challenges students to think from multiple viewpoints and strengthens their understanding.
Guide research and preparation
Encourage students to find evidence from the novel, personal experiences, or historical examples to support their arguments. Preparation builds confidence and ensures richer, more meaningful debates.
Facilitate the debate and encourage respectful discussion
Moderate the discussion to keep it focused and respectful. Prompt students to listen actively and respond thoughtfully to opposing viewpoints.
Debrief and reflect on key insights
Lead a class reflection after the debate to highlight main arguments and connect them back to the novel. This helps students synthesize what they’ve learned and apply it beyond the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions about Concept Exploration in A Wrinkle in Time
What are the main themes explored in A Wrinkle in Time?
A Wrinkle in Time explores key themes such as freedom, individuality, choice, and the contrast between fate vs. free will, utopia vs. dystopia, and reason vs. emotion. These ideas are presented through the experiences of the characters and the societies they encounter.
How can students compare concepts like fate vs. free will in A Wrinkle in Time?
Students can compare fate and free will by illustrating each concept with examples from the book, history, or their own lives. Using storyboards, they can depict how characters make choices or feel controlled by circumstances, then discuss the similarities and differences visually and in writing.
What is a quick classroom activity for teaching abstract concepts in A Wrinkle in Time?
Try a storyboard comparison activity: have students pick two contrasting concepts (e.g., reason vs. emotion), create pictures for each, and explain their depictions. Then, students compare the concepts in a third panel, highlighting connections or differences with images and brief explanations.
Why is it important for students to connect the themes of A Wrinkle in Time to their own lives?
Connecting themes to personal experiences helps students better understand abstract ideas like individuality and freedom. This approach encourages deeper engagement with the text and helps students see the relevance of literary concepts in the real world.
What are some examples of comparing utopia vs. dystopia from A Wrinkle in Time?
In A Wrinkle in Time, the planet Camazotz represents a dystopia where everyone is forced to be the same, while the protagonists' home symbolizes a more utopian society that values differences. Students can illustrate these settings and discuss how they reflect the novel’s themes.
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