Activity Overview
There are many themes present throughout the novel All American Boys. Students can explore this by identifying a theme themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given a theme to track throughout their reading. In this activity, students will create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the novel All American Boys.
Examples of themes:
- Systemic Racism
- Police Brutality
- Family
- Friends
- Identity
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in All American Boys. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from All American Boys you wish to include and write them in the title box.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
Activity Overview
There are many themes present throughout the novel All American Boys. Students can explore this by identifying a theme themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given a theme to track throughout their reading. In this activity, students will create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the novel All American Boys.
Examples of themes:
- Systemic Racism
- Police Brutality
- Family
- Friends
- Identity
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in All American Boys. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from All American Boys you wish to include and write them in the title box.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
How Tos about Themes in All American Boys
How to Facilitate Respectful Classroom Discussions on Sensitive Themes
Foster a safe space by establishing clear ground rules for respectful listening and sharing. Encourage students to speak from personal experience and respect differing viewpoints to promote open dialogue.
Prepare students with background knowledge
Provide context about the novel’s themes, such as systemic racism or police brutality, before discussions. Use videos, articles, or short stories to build understanding and empathy.
Use structured discussion formats
Choose a format like Think-Pair-Share or Socratic Seminar to ensure every voice is heard and the conversation remains focused and productive.
Support students with sentence starters
Offer prompts such as “I noticed…” or “I wonder how…” to help students enter the conversation thoughtfully, especially when addressing challenging themes.
Debrief and reflect together
After the discussion, invite students to share how they felt and what they learned. Reflection journals or exit tickets help process emotions and reinforce respectful dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in All American Boys
What are the main themes in All American Boys?
All American Boys explores themes such as systemic racism, police brutality, family, friendship, and identity. These themes highlight the complex social and personal issues faced by the characters in the novel.
How can I teach themes in All American Boys to high school students?
Use engaging activities like an envelope activity where students track a given theme throughout their reading, or have them create a storyboard illustrating examples of selected themes from the novel.
What is an envelope activity for exploring novel themes?
An envelope activity involves assigning each student or group a theme to follow as they read. They collect examples and discuss how the theme develops, deepening understanding and encouraging close reading.
Why is it important to discuss police brutality and racism in All American Boys?
Discussing police brutality and racism in the novel helps students connect literature to real-world issues, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and awareness of social justice topics relevant to today's society.
What is a storyboard activity for analyzing themes in literature?
A storyboard activity asks students to visually represent key moments that illustrate a theme, using scenes, characters, and descriptions. This supports comprehension and creativity in analyzing literature.
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