Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

I'm trying to think of some more creative lessons, but I really think it would help to see ways in which others have approached it. Ideas?

Tia!

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

Well one of the things I like to do for a do now is print out pictures from the movie I use, blow them up, and have the kids review by putting them in teams. Each team has to put the "scene" in order of events, and whichever team gets it first wins. then they present the scene to the class. Sometimes, I give teams different scenes, sometimes the same one. They have to describe picture by picture, what is going on, WHY, and must refer to all characters by correct name.

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

oh that's a great idea!
what version of the movie do you use?

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

It's been a while....my school has taken both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn off its list. I teach both MS and HS every year, so depending on which school I was teaching it to I'd use either:

MS:

Tom and Huck with Jonathan Taylor Thomas

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (animated- Tom is a Cat, Huck is a fox, it's very cute)

HS:

either the Tom and Huck, depending on the makeup of the class or 1938 version

I like the Tom and Huck version with JTT because I feel the actors are the ages Tom and Huck are supposed to be.

I forgot to add that I do the photo sequencing BEFORE they ever see the movie, so while they're reading, they're becoming familiar with the characters for when the watch the movie, but also I think it gives them a clearer picture in their head.

I have other stuff too, if you need more ideas.

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Message edited 2/3/2010 10:38:11 PM.

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

i actually just picked up tom and huck a few days ago..i remember it being pretty close to the novel..

its also just during the lesson itself-
yesterday went really well, we mimicked the 'examinations' and students had to work in groups to write poems using meter and rhyme scheme about tom sawyer, and then present the poems to the class-they really enjoyed that, but i feel like i get one or two creative ideas and then the other lessons are just eh

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

I know how you feel. Sometimes I feel like that too.

Here's another idea for you, using the pictures. Sometimes I use the picture as a journal prompt, like either describe the picture, or what do you think is going the character's mind at this momemt? It works well too if the character is making a weird/funny face in the photo.

I had SUCH an urge to teach Huck Finn this year at the HS. Since it's not allowed, I had to settle for A Conneticut Yankee at the MS.

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

I teach an adapted version to middle school intermediate ESL students.

I start with an author study (bio, video, internet search). Before we read we do some historical context lessons (again using video, internet and adapted readings about the time period). I also do a reading anticipation guide, coming up with theme statements that will be revealed in the novel, asking the students to agree/disagree and why. I have students keep this ditto until the end of the novel when we will revisit our opinions, see if they changed and connect them to the novel.

While reading I do basic vocabulary and comprehension everyday. I try to pick an idea from each chapter and develop it. For example, in one chapter where Tom's personality is revealed I found horoscope descriptions and asked students which zodiac sign best fit Tom and why. Then we did the same for other main characters. The novel version I use has one picture per chapter. I use these pictures as review or prediction activities, or sequencing. I use music and poetry that connect to the novel.

Feel free to FM for more ideas.

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

I taught it when I did my student teaching, and the most fun we had with it was having the kids act the scenes out as we read them. We gave them each a book, and moved all of the desks out of the way. The students were assigned parts and as they were reading, they were supposed to act out what their character was doing. It was hysterical and they really got into it!

Re: Has anyone taught Tom Sawyer?

Posted by 20mrsc10

I LOVE the horoscope idea-my students would love doing something like that. I'm actually using a version that has some pictures, but not many-it might work to use some of them as a sequencing activity as review. I'm around chapter 25, so we're almost done with the novel, but I'll be teaching it again next year, so I'm typing up all these ideas to put in my unit binder

What poetry do you have that connects?