Activity Overview
The first chapters of the novel detail the different things - physical, emotional, mental - that the soldiers carry with them throughout their journeys in Vietnam. They carry weapons, supplies, mementos, hopes, dreams, regrets, and guilt. To have students connect with this idea further, have them complete the following assignment and utilize the Storyboard Creator to illustrate their ideas.
- Have students write about an object that they keep because it is special to them. It could be a war medal from a grandfather, a T-shirt from a baseball game with their dad, a friendship bracelet, a family heirloom, etc. Have them describe the object, and detail why it is so important to them.
- Then, have students write about two items that are important for them to get through a day at school. This could be their backpack, their phone, their planners, etc. Have students discuss why these two items are so necessary to a successful school day.
- Finally, have students write about two memories that are important to them. Have them also describe the emotions associated with that memory.
- When students are done with all of the above, have them create a storyboard to illustrate their writing.
Something I Keep
I keep a doll that my grandmother gave to me when I was six. She passed away last year, and I miss her a lot. I’ve carried this doll with me everywhere: on vacations, to the hospital when I had to have my appendix removed, and to my Nana’s funeral.
School Item #1
The first thing that I need in order to get through the school day is my phone. I use it for my watch because it’s digital and easier to read the time quickly. I also use it to keep in touch with my friends during the day and my parents. I like to take pictures of my friends during lunch, too.
School Item #2
The second thing that I need in order to get through the school day is my backpack. I don’t have as many textbooks anymore since we switched to textbooks online, but I still have folders, papers, pens, pencils, and sometimes paperback books to carry around. Without my backpack, I would be so disorganized and leave stuff all over the school.
Memory #1
One memory that is really important to me is when I was 8, my best friend Hannah moved into the house next door. She came over to my yard and said hello, and I knew instantly that we would get along. I like to remember this because it makes me happy, and I remember the moment vividly.
Memory #2
Another memory that stands out to me is when I ruined my mom’s new dress that she had just bought for my dad’s policeman’s ball. I blamed it on my little brother, who was two and I knew wouldn’t get into too much trouble. I still feel guilty about doing that because I should have just told the truth instead.
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
- Depict and write about an object that you keep because it is special to you.
- Describe the object, and detail why it is so important to you.
- Then, depict and write about two items that are important for you to get through a day at school.
- Describe why these two items are so necessary to a successful school day.
- Write about two memories that are important to you and describe the emotions associated with that memory.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
The first chapters of the novel detail the different things - physical, emotional, mental - that the soldiers carry with them throughout their journeys in Vietnam. They carry weapons, supplies, mementos, hopes, dreams, regrets, and guilt. To have students connect with this idea further, have them complete the following assignment and utilize the Storyboard Creator to illustrate their ideas.
- Have students write about an object that they keep because it is special to them. It could be a war medal from a grandfather, a T-shirt from a baseball game with their dad, a friendship bracelet, a family heirloom, etc. Have them describe the object, and detail why it is so important to them.
- Then, have students write about two items that are important for them to get through a day at school. This could be their backpack, their phone, their planners, etc. Have students discuss why these two items are so necessary to a successful school day.
- Finally, have students write about two memories that are important to them. Have them also describe the emotions associated with that memory.
- When students are done with all of the above, have them create a storyboard to illustrate their writing.
Something I Keep
I keep a doll that my grandmother gave to me when I was six. She passed away last year, and I miss her a lot. I’ve carried this doll with me everywhere: on vacations, to the hospital when I had to have my appendix removed, and to my Nana’s funeral.
School Item #1
The first thing that I need in order to get through the school day is my phone. I use it for my watch because it’s digital and easier to read the time quickly. I also use it to keep in touch with my friends during the day and my parents. I like to take pictures of my friends during lunch, too.
School Item #2
The second thing that I need in order to get through the school day is my backpack. I don’t have as many textbooks anymore since we switched to textbooks online, but I still have folders, papers, pens, pencils, and sometimes paperback books to carry around. Without my backpack, I would be so disorganized and leave stuff all over the school.
Memory #1
One memory that is really important to me is when I was 8, my best friend Hannah moved into the house next door. She came over to my yard and said hello, and I knew instantly that we would get along. I like to remember this because it makes me happy, and I remember the moment vividly.
Memory #2
Another memory that stands out to me is when I ruined my mom’s new dress that she had just bought for my dad’s policeman’s ball. I blamed it on my little brother, who was two and I knew wouldn’t get into too much trouble. I still feel guilty about doing that because I should have just told the truth instead.
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
- Depict and write about an object that you keep because it is special to you.
- Describe the object, and detail why it is so important to you.
- Then, depict and write about two items that are important for you to get through a day at school.
- Describe why these two items are so necessary to a successful school day.
- Write about two memories that are important to you and describe the emotions associated with that memory.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about What Do You Carry?
How to facilitate a class discussion on the significance of what we carry
Begin by inviting students to share their objects, school items, or memories with a partner or small group. Encourage active listening and respectful responses, fostering a safe environment for sharing personal stories. Use guiding questions to help students connect the importance of these items or memories to their identities, much like the characters in the novel. This activity builds empathy and helps students draw parallels between literature and their own lives.
Set clear guidelines for sharing personal stories
Explain that sharing is voluntary and that all stories are valued. Reinforce the importance of confidentiality and kindness when listening or responding to classmates. Setting expectations helps create a supportive classroom community and encourages genuine participation.
Use open-ended questions to deepen discussion
Ask questions such as, "How does this item or memory shape who you are?" or "Why do you think people hold onto certain objects or memories?" These prompts spark deeper thinking and help students draw meaningful connections to the text and each other.
Connect personal sharing to literary themes
After discussion, highlight how students' choices mirror the soldiers’ experiences in the novel. Draw attention to themes of memory, identity, and emotional burdens to reinforce literary analysis skills and make the lesson more relevant.
Wrap up with a reflective writing prompt
Invite students to write a short reflection on what they learned from hearing others' stories or how sharing changed their perspective. This consolidates learning and encourages thoughtful self-awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions about What Do You Carry?
What is the 'What Do You Carry?' lesson activity for students?
The 'What Do You Carry?' lesson invites students to reflect on and write about personal objects and memories that hold special meaning. They describe these items, explain their importance, and illustrate their ideas using a storyboard, connecting personally to themes from The Things They Carried.
How can I help students connect to the themes in The Things They Carried?
Encourage students to write about and illustrate objects and memories that are meaningful to them, mirroring the emotional and physical burdens described in The Things They Carried. This personalizes the novel's themes and deepens student engagement.
What are some examples of objects students might write about in this lesson?
Students might choose items like a family heirloom, a friendship bracelet, a special T-shirt, or a war medal. The key is that the object holds personal significance and is tied to memories or emotions.
Why is using a storyboard effective for this classroom activity?
A storyboard helps students visually organize and express their stories, making abstract emotions and personal connections more concrete. It enhances creativity and supports visual learners in sharing their experiences.
What grade level is the 'What Do You Carry?' activity best suited for?
The 'What Do You Carry?' activity is best suited for grades 9–10, but it can be adapted for other middle or high school levels depending on student maturity and curriculum needs.
More Storyboard That Activities
Things They Carried, The
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
