Activity Overview
Mark Twain is well-known for his witticisms and critical commentary on human nature. Even The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, frequently labeled a children’s book, contains many satirical episodes and poignantly human moments. Get students to connect to some of Twain’s thoughts on human existence through this Storyboard activity. First, have students select a famous Mark Twain quotation, either from the novel or some other source. Then, have them depict a scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that connects to Twain’s commentary. Finally, have students explain how the scene reveals the same underlying truth as Twain’s quotation. The list below contains some suggested Twain quotations.
“Always tell the truth; then you don’t have to remember anything.”
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
“Always obey your parents. When they are present. This is the best policy in the long run. Because if you don’t, they will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you can generally make more by humoring that superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment.”
He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.
“Homely truth is unpalatable.”
“When one writes a novel about grown people, he knows exactly where to stop - that is, with a marriage; but when he writes about juveniles, he must stop where he best can.”
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Author Connection
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
Tom shows the most courage when he faces his fears by defending Muff Potter in court and testifying against Injun Joe. It is not that he is unafraid, but that he does the right thing in spite of his fear.
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
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a quote from Mark Twain, in the story or elsewhere, and write it in the header.
- Create an illustration that accurately depicts a scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, using scenes, characters, and items.
- In the description box, explain how the scene reveals the same underlying truth as Twain's quotation.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Mark Twain is well-known for his witticisms and critical commentary on human nature. Even The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, frequently labeled a children’s book, contains many satirical episodes and poignantly human moments. Get students to connect to some of Twain’s thoughts on human existence through this Storyboard activity. First, have students select a famous Mark Twain quotation, either from the novel or some other source. Then, have them depict a scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that connects to Twain’s commentary. Finally, have students explain how the scene reveals the same underlying truth as Twain’s quotation. The list below contains some suggested Twain quotations.
“Always tell the truth; then you don’t have to remember anything.”
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
“Always obey your parents. When they are present. This is the best policy in the long run. Because if you don’t, they will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you can generally make more by humoring that superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment.”
He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.
“Homely truth is unpalatable.”
“When one writes a novel about grown people, he knows exactly where to stop - that is, with a marriage; but when he writes about juveniles, he must stop where he best can.”
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Author Connection
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
Tom shows the most courage when he faces his fears by defending Muff Potter in court and testifying against Injun Joe. It is not that he is unafraid, but that he does the right thing in spite of his fear.
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
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a quote from Mark Twain, in the story or elsewhere, and write it in the header.
- Create an illustration that accurately depicts a scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, using scenes, characters, and items.
- In the description box, explain how the scene reveals the same underlying truth as Twain's quotation.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Author Connection
Incorporate Tom Sawyer’s themes into a classroom discussion
Encourage students to connect the novel’s themes—like honesty, bravery, and human nature—to their own lives. Relating literature to real experiences helps build deeper understanding and keeps students engaged in meaningful conversations.
Choose a central theme for your discussion
Pick one major theme from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer such as courage, friendship, or the importance of telling the truth. Focusing on a single theme will help guide your students and make the discussion more impactful.
Ask open-ended, relatable questions
Pose questions like, “Can you think of a time you had to do the right thing even though it was hard?” Open-ended questions invite students to share personal stories and make connections between themselves and the characters.
Facilitate student-led connections
Let students lead the conversation by sharing their thoughts and examples. Encourage respectful listening and allow students to respond to each other, fostering a sense of community and deeper understanding.
Summarize key takeaways as a class
At the end, recap what was learned about the theme and how it relates to both Tom Sawyer and students’ own lives. Highlighting these connections helps reinforce the lesson and makes literature more relevant for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Author Connection
How can I help students connect Mark Twain's quotes to scenes in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?
To help students connect Mark Twain's quotes to scenes in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, have them choose a meaningful quote and then identify or illustrate a scene from the novel that reflects that quote's message. Encourage students to explain how the scene demonstrates Twain's underlying truth or commentary on human nature.
What are some easy Mark Twain quotes to use for classroom activities?
Some easy Mark Twain quotes for classroom activities include: “Always tell the truth; then you don’t have to remember anything,” “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear,” and “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” These quotes are clear and relatable for students.
What is a simple lesson plan for teaching The Adventures of Tom Sawyer author connection?
A simple lesson plan is to have students select a Mark Twain quotation, illustrate a scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that connects to it, and write a brief explanation of how the scene reflects the quote. This activity fosters critical thinking and text-to-quote connections.
Why is connecting literature quotes to scenes helpful for students?
Connecting literature quotes to scenes helps students develop deeper comprehension, analytical skills, and personal connections to the text. It encourages them to interpret themes and messages, making literature more meaningful and memorable.
What grade levels is the Tom Sawyer author connection activity best for?
The Tom Sawyer author connection activity is best suited for grades 6-12. Students at this level can analyze themes and character motivations, making them ready to engage with Twain’s satirical and philosophical ideas.
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