Activity Overview
Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
Examples of Quotes from Echo
“YOUR FATE IS NOT YET SEALED. EVEN IN THE DARKEST NIGHT, A STAR WILL SHINE, A BELL WILL CHIME, A PATH WILL BE REVEALED.”
"But you must promise to pass along the mouth harp to another, when the time is right. For our journey to save a soul on the brink of death cannot begin until you do.”
“Which would be worse? To be accepted or refused? A weight pressed on his heart. How could he want something and fear it so much at the same time?”
“The harmonica had a rich, ethereal quality—the same alluring sound he’d heard earlier in the graveyard room. The more he played, the more the air around him seemed to pulse with energy. He felt protected by the cloak of music, as if nothing could stand in his way.”
"Hitler takes away all civil rights and gives his stormtroopers the freedom to question anyone for any reason. Hitler wants to cleanse the population for a pure German race!”
“Music does not have a race or a disposition! Every instrument has a voice that contributes. Music is a universal language. A universal religion of sorts. Certainly it's my religion. Music surpasses all distinctions between people"
“He clutched the harmonica to his chest and cried into his pillow. He could have sworn he heard music...the Brahms...first as a child's lullaby, then a mournful lament, and finally, a staccato march, accompanied by the ominous sound of jackboots.”
“The sound of music is like water finding a path.”
“Everybody has a heart. Sometimes you gotta work hard to find it"
“She said people on hard times deserved to have beauty in their lives as much as anyone else, whether or not they could pay their rent or were walking to a breadline. Granny said that just because someone was poor didn't mean they were poor of heart.”
“That's the thing. No matter how much you don't have, there's always so much more of life to be had. So, no matter how much sadness is in a song, there's equal 'mount of maybe-things'll-get-better-someday-soon.”
“Mrs. Potter said you were a kind and loving soul, underneath all the rest. I guess that means your heart's so sad that it's hard to get out from under the weight. When I was sad about my mother dying, Granny used to say grief is the heaviest thing to carry alone. So I know all about that"
“So blues music is about all the trials and tribulations people got in their hearts from living. It's about what folks want but don't have. Blues is a song begging for its life.”
“Ivy felt as if she’d been touched by magic. Her eyes caught the glances of other musicians. And it was clear they felt it, too.
Who can explain it? Who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, Wise men never try. Some enchanted evening…
Tonight, there was brilliance in the hall, a communion of spirits, as if Ivy and the conductor and the pianist and the orchestra and everyone in the audience were one, breathing in and out to the same tempo, feeling one another’s strength and vision, filling with beauty and light, glowing beneath the same stars…
…and connected by the same silken thread.”
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 your favorite quote or scene in the story. Illustrate your quote or scene and in the description box, write about its significance to the story and what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a favorite quote or scene from the story.
- Create an image that represents this quote or scene using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the description box, write about the significance this quote or scene has in the story and write About what it means to you.
Requirements: Quote or Scene, Illustration, minimum 2-3 sentences about its significance and what it means to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the quote or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the quote or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the quote or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.
Some students may end up choosing the same quote, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.
Examples of Quotes from Echo
“YOUR FATE IS NOT YET SEALED. EVEN IN THE DARKEST NIGHT, A STAR WILL SHINE, A BELL WILL CHIME, A PATH WILL BE REVEALED.”
"But you must promise to pass along the mouth harp to another, when the time is right. For our journey to save a soul on the brink of death cannot begin until you do.”
“Which would be worse? To be accepted or refused? A weight pressed on his heart. How could he want something and fear it so much at the same time?”
“The harmonica had a rich, ethereal quality—the same alluring sound he’d heard earlier in the graveyard room. The more he played, the more the air around him seemed to pulse with energy. He felt protected by the cloak of music, as if nothing could stand in his way.”
"Hitler takes away all civil rights and gives his stormtroopers the freedom to question anyone for any reason. Hitler wants to cleanse the population for a pure German race!”
“Music does not have a race or a disposition! Every instrument has a voice that contributes. Music is a universal language. A universal religion of sorts. Certainly it's my religion. Music surpasses all distinctions between people"
“He clutched the harmonica to his chest and cried into his pillow. He could have sworn he heard music...the Brahms...first as a child's lullaby, then a mournful lament, and finally, a staccato march, accompanied by the ominous sound of jackboots.”
“The sound of music is like water finding a path.”
“Everybody has a heart. Sometimes you gotta work hard to find it"
“She said people on hard times deserved to have beauty in their lives as much as anyone else, whether or not they could pay their rent or were walking to a breadline. Granny said that just because someone was poor didn't mean they were poor of heart.”
“That's the thing. No matter how much you don't have, there's always so much more of life to be had. So, no matter how much sadness is in a song, there's equal 'mount of maybe-things'll-get-better-someday-soon.”
“Mrs. Potter said you were a kind and loving soul, underneath all the rest. I guess that means your heart's so sad that it's hard to get out from under the weight. When I was sad about my mother dying, Granny used to say grief is the heaviest thing to carry alone. So I know all about that"
“So blues music is about all the trials and tribulations people got in their hearts from living. It's about what folks want but don't have. Blues is a song begging for its life.”
“Ivy felt as if she’d been touched by magic. Her eyes caught the glances of other musicians. And it was clear they felt it, too.
Who can explain it? Who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, Wise men never try. Some enchanted evening…
Tonight, there was brilliance in the hall, a communion of spirits, as if Ivy and the conductor and the pianist and the orchestra and everyone in the audience were one, breathing in and out to the same tempo, feeling one another’s strength and vision, filling with beauty and light, glowing beneath the same stars…
…and connected by the same silken thread.”
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 your favorite quote or scene in the story. Illustrate your quote or scene and in the description box, write about its significance to the story and what it means to you.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a favorite quote or scene from the story.
- Create an image that represents this quote or scene using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the description box, write about the significance this quote or scene has in the story and write About what it means to you.
Requirements: Quote or Scene, Illustration, minimum 2-3 sentences about its significance and what it means to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of what the quote means to the student is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the quote or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the quote or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the quote or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Favorite Quote from Echo
Encourage deeper thinking with a class quote wall
Invite students to contribute their favorite quotes from Echo to a classroom display. Seeing a variety of meaningful lines encourages discussion and helps students appreciate different perspectives, making the novel's themes more visible every day.
Guide students to select a meaningful quote
Ask students to reread sections and highlight lines that resonate personally or connect with a major theme. Encourage them to choose a quote that sparks emotion or reflection for a more authentic connection.
Support students in visualizing their chosen quote
Prompt students to close their eyes and picture the scene or feeling their quote inspires. Suggest sketching ideas or using sticky notes before starting the main illustration. This jumpstarts creativity and boosts confidence in sharing their vision.
Model writing about a quote’s significance
Demonstrate writing 2–3 sentences explaining why the quote matters in the story and what it means to you personally. Show how to reference story events, character feelings, or personal connections for deeper insight.
Foster respectful sharing and discussion
Set ground rules for active listening and positive feedback during presentations. Encourage students to ask questions or share how quotes relate to their own experiences, building a supportive classroom community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Favorite Quote from Echo
What is a good activity for teaching 'Echo' by Pam Muñoz Ryan in middle school?
A popular activity is having students choose their favorite quote or scene from 'Echo' and create a storyboard. This helps them make personal connections to the story, illustrate key moments, and discuss the significance of their chosen passage.
How can students connect personally to quotes from 'Echo'?
Students can select a quote that resonates with them, illustrate it, and write about its significance. This process encourages text-to-self connections and helps them understand character development and themes.
What are some meaningful quotes from 'Echo' for classroom discussion?
Examples include: “YOUR FATE IS NOT YET SEALED...” and “Music is a universal language...”. These quotes spark discussions about hope, music, and empathy—key themes in the novel.
How do I guide students to analyze the significance of a quote in 'Echo'?
Ask students to illustrate the quote and write 2-3 sentences on what it means to them and its role in the story. Facilitate a discussion so students can share insights and differing perspectives.
Why is it valuable for students to discuss different interpretations of the same quote?
Discussing varied interpretations helps students see how personal experiences shape understanding. It fosters empathy, critical thinking, and appreciation for diverse perspectives in literature.
More Storyboard That Activities
Echo
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