Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in The Miracle Worker.
Examples of Themes in The Miracle Worker
Perseverance
Annie Sullivan a perfect example of someone who refuses to give up. Even when she is hit, spit at, kicked, and told that Helen was unteachable, she did not give up on Helen.
Transformation
Helen Keller’s family desperately wants to transform their way of life with Helen, but they don’t know how. Annie wants to transform the family’s perception of Helen, as well teach her how to communicate and behave.
Perception and Judgement
The Kellers judge Annie when she first arrives, based on her age and where she is from. They also perceive Helen to be unteachable and because of her disabilities, do not treat her like a “normal” child.
Communication
The entire play revolves around the family’s inability to communicate with Helen. There is frustration, anger, and sadness. Annie’s goal is to teach Helen to communicate, and to teach the family to understand Helen.
Love
It is clear that the family loves each other deeply. Through all of the anger and challenges, they know that they must move on from what they know to be true and forge new relationships with one another. It is also clear that Annie loves Helen and her family.
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 recurring themes in The Miracle Worker. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from The Miracle Worker you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a short 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 | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in The Miracle Worker.
Examples of Themes in The Miracle Worker
Perseverance
Annie Sullivan a perfect example of someone who refuses to give up. Even when she is hit, spit at, kicked, and told that Helen was unteachable, she did not give up on Helen.
Transformation
Helen Keller’s family desperately wants to transform their way of life with Helen, but they don’t know how. Annie wants to transform the family’s perception of Helen, as well teach her how to communicate and behave.
Perception and Judgement
The Kellers judge Annie when she first arrives, based on her age and where she is from. They also perceive Helen to be unteachable and because of her disabilities, do not treat her like a “normal” child.
Communication
The entire play revolves around the family’s inability to communicate with Helen. There is frustration, anger, and sadness. Annie’s goal is to teach Helen to communicate, and to teach the family to understand Helen.
Love
It is clear that the family loves each other deeply. Through all of the anger and challenges, they know that they must move on from what they know to be true and forge new relationships with one another. It is also clear that Annie loves Helen and her family.
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 recurring themes in The Miracle Worker. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from The Miracle Worker you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a short 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 | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
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Miracle Worker, The
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