Activity Overview
Allusions are present throughout the novel, One Crazy Summer, referencing actual people, places, literature, TV, movies, music, movements, and events. These references help plunge the reader into the world surrounding Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern and the different influences all around them in 1960s America. In this activity, students will identify, research, and illustrate various allusions in the story.
Examples of Allusions in One Crazy Summer
- Cassius Clay A.K.A. Muhammad Ali
- Black Panthers
- Huey P. Newton
- Eldridge Cleaver
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Robert F. Kennedy
- John F. Kennedy
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Ho Chi Minh
- Vietnam War
- Peter Pan
- Island of the Blue Dolphins
- Emily Dickinson
- Robert Frost
- Countee Cullen
- William Blake
- Homer
- Langston Hughes
- Malcolm X
- The Mike Douglas Show
- James Brown
- Aretha Franklin
- Abraham Lincoln
- Harriet Tubman
- Bobby Hutton
- Sleeping Beauty
- Nat King Cole
- Shirley Temple
- Flipper
- Monkees
- Jet Magazine
- Merriam Webster Dictionary
- Gwendolyn Brooks' "We Real Cool"
- Oakland, CA: Magnolia St.
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown
- Brooklyn, NY: Herkimer St., Coney Island, Prospect Park, Shiloh Baptist Church
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 allusions present in One Crazy Summer (references to actual people, places, events, or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from One Crazy Summer you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Examples of Allusions in One Crazy Summer
- Cassius Clay A.K.A. Muhammad Ali
- Black Panthers
- Huey P. Newton
- Eldridge Cleaver
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Robert F. Kennedy
- John F. Kennedy
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Ho Chi Minh
- Vietnam War
- Peter Pan
- Island of the Blue Dolphins
- Emily Dickinson
- Robert Frost
- Countee Cullen
- William Blake
- Homer
- Langston Hughes
- Malcolm X
- The Mike Douglas Show
- James Brown
- Aretha Franklin
- Abraham Lincoln
- Harriet Tubman
- Bobby Hutton
- Sleeping Beauty
- Nat King Cole
- Shirley Temple
- Flipper
- Monkees
- Jet Magazine
- Merriam Webster Dictionary
- Gwendolyn Brooks' "We Real Cool"
- Oakland, CA: Magnolia St.
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown
- Brooklyn, NY: Herkimer St., Coney Island, Prospect Park, Shiloh Baptist Church
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 allusions present in One Crazy Summer (references to actual people, places, events, or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from One Crazy Summer you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Allusions in One Crazy Summer
Create a classroom anchor chart for tracking allusions as you read
Design a large, visible anchor chart on your classroom wall to capture allusions found during reading. Students can add to it in real time, boosting engagement and collective understanding.
Model identifying an allusion during a read-aloud
Pause while reading to highlight an allusion and explain its background. This shows students how to recognize allusions and why they matter in the story.
Guide students to research and share new allusions
Assign students or groups an allusion to research using kid-friendly sources. Have them share a quick summary with the class, building background knowledge for everyone.
Encourage students to illustrate their favorite allusion
Invite students to draw a scene or character representing an allusion. Display their work to celebrate learning and deepen connections to the text.
Connect allusions to students’ own lives and cultures
Prompt students to think of references in their lives similar to those in the story. This personalizes learning and helps them see allusions beyond the book.
Frequently Asked Questions about Allusions in One Crazy Summer
What are some examples of allusions in One Crazy Summer?
One Crazy Summer includes allusions to real people, places, and cultural moments from the 1960s, such as Muhammad Ali, the Black Panthers, Martin Luther King, Jr., Vietnam War, and classic works like Peter Pan and poems by Emily Dickinson.
How can I teach students to identify allusions in One Crazy Summer?
Guide students to look for references to famous people, historical events, or other works in the text. Encourage them to research any unfamiliar names or places, discuss their significance, and connect how these allusions deepen the story's meaning.
Why does One Crazy Summer use so many allusions?
Allusions help immerse readers in the 1960s setting, highlight the social and political climate, and show how external influences shape the characters' lives and perspectives.
What is the best way to create a lesson on allusions from One Crazy Summer?
Ask students to choose several allusions from the novel, research their background, create illustrations, and write brief descriptions explaining their relevance to the story. This approach fosters engagement and deeper understanding.
How do allusions impact readers’ understanding of One Crazy Summer?
Allusions add depth by connecting fiction to real history, helping readers grasp the characters' experiences and the era's challenges. They prompt discussion and critical thinking about the novel's themes.
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