Reinforce the Skills
Literature Extension Activity
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Reading Level: Grade 5
Mildred D. Taylor's novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, which is often taught as part of language arts and American history units, provides excellent tie-ins to SECOND STEP lessons about perspective taking, problem solving, and empathy.
Pose a few of these discussion-triggering questions to your class, or use them to help you craft your own ideas for exploring the novel.
Problem Solving
Lillian Jean ridiculed Jeremy for associating with Cassie and the other African-American children. Compare Lillian Jean's treatment of Jeremy with her treatment of Cassie. How was it the same? How was it different?
Use the SECOND STEP problem-solving process to propose several positive ways that Jeremy and Cassie could respond to Lillian Jean's treatment.
Perspective Taking
Miss Crocker wasn't offended by the chart stamped on the inside cover of the used textbooks, but Little Man, Cassie, and Mama were. Generate possible reasons why Miss Crocker had a different perspective.
Evaluating Solutions
Stacey, Cassie, and the other African-American kids had a problem: The school bus driver always went out of his way to splash them with mud. In chapter 3, they decided to "get even." Evaluate their solution using the SECOND STEP problem-solving process.
Impulse Control
Mr. Granger and other members of the school board visited Mama's classroom. When Mama taught a lesson about slavery, Mr. Granger fired her. Discuss whether Mr. Granger acted impulsively. Then devise a different approach that Mr. Granger could apply to deciding how to handle the situation.
Analyzing the Text
In the last paragraph of the book, Cassie said, "I cried for T. J. For T. J. and the land." Analyze what Cassie meant using your knowledge of everything Cassie had experienced in the past year.
By Lisa L. Owens
Writer, editor, and reviewer of works for children and young adults