Learning Gratitude from Literature
Grade
Grade 7
UNIT
3
•
Gratitude
In Unit 3, Lesson 1, “Learning Gratitude from Literature,” students will learn examples of gratitude and other character strengths from a classic work of young adult literature, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. Students will develop their critical thinking and writing skills by answering questions about the text. Additionally, students will develop their academic dialogue skills by discussing the book with classmates.
SUGGESTED TIME:
- 1 class period to introduce the text; 1 class period to discuss the text; if desired, additional class periods can be devoted to in-class silent reading of the text
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor is 276 pages, divided into 12 chapters.
- The suggested reading assignment is 1 chapter daily for either in-class silent reading or homework.
- With this schedule, students will complete the book in 12 in-class reading sessions or 12 homework sessions.
- Students should complete the short-answer questions on the worksheet as they read the book.
- Allow at least 50 minutes for in-class discussion of the short-answer questions on the worksheet.
RELATED SUBJECT:
English Language Arts
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Read a classic work of young adult literature
- Identify and analyze the book’s genre, point of view, characters, setting, and plot
- Identify and analyze the book’s central ideas
- Write answers to questions about the book, demonstrating understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar
- Engage effectively in collaborative discussions about the book
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
- Book: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
- Video: Film trailer for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1978) (~2 min)
- Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 3 Worksheet 1: Learning Gratitude from Literature
VOCABULARY:
Jim Crow: A term for laws that tried to keep African Americans separate from whites in the southern United States. These laws required whites and blacks to attend separate schools and to sit in different areas on public transportation. Blacks and whites had to use different drinking fountains, waiting rooms, housing, and shops. Jim Crow laws were in place from the late 1870s until the civil rights movement began in the 1950s.
Mortgage: An agreement between a person and a lender that gives the lender the right to take the person’s property if they don't repay the money they borrowed plus interest.
Segregation: Black people and white people were kept apart in many parts of the South. This policy was called segregation. To segregate means to keep apart. Black people and white people could not use the same restrooms, water fountains, or playgrounds. Segregation was ended by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET
CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET
LESSON PROCEDURE
Step 1:
- Explain that the book we will be reading, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, is a classic work of literature.
- Explain that it was made into a film in 1978 and there is a film trailer.
Play the video: Film trailer for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1978) (~2 min).
Ask students what they wonder about the book after viewing the film trailer.
Step 2:
- Have students complete the book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, either through multiple in-class silent reading sessions or as homework.
- Students should complete the short-answer questions on the worksheet as they read the book.
Step 3:
- Allow at least 50 minutes for in-class discussion of the short-answer questions on the worksheet. Have students discuss their answers with a small group, then bring the students back together for a large group discussion.
GRADE 7 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING OPTIMISM FROM LITERATURE
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE READING Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cryby Mildred Taylor:
- In Chapter 1, what do we learn about the setting of this novel, what happened to the Berry family, and how African Americans are being treated?
- What do we learn about the Logan family’s land?
- In Chapter 6, Mama tells Cassie, “We have no choice of what color we’re born or who our parents are or whether we’re rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we’re here.” What do you think she means by this?
- In Chapter 7, what painful history does Mr. Morrison tell?
- In Chapter 7, what is Uncle Hammer’s advice to Stacey? Why is this advice important?
- In Chapter 7, why does Mr. Jamison agree to help by putting up credit for the African American families to shop in Vicksburg?
- What would be the problem for Harlan Granger if people went to Vicksburg to do their shopping? How does Mr. Granger threaten the Logans?
- In Chapter 8, what does Papa advise Cassie about forgiveness?
- In Chapter 8, Papa tells Cassie, “There are things you can’t back down on, things you gotta take a stand on. But it’s up to you to decide what them things are.” What things do you think Cassie must take a stand on? Why?
- In Chapter 8, what was wrong with the history books, and what did Mama help her students understand?
- In Chapter 9, how does Papa show gratitude for the land, and what is the lesson he takes from the fig tree?
- In Chapter 10, how do Cassie and her brothers show gratitude in spite of the racism they and their family experience?
- In Chapter 11, what do we learn about what T.J. and the Avery brothers did? How does a white mob respond?
- In Chapter 12, Stacey says, “The fire come up, and Mr. Morrison come and got me and them men come down here to fight the fire and didn’t nobody have to fight nobody.” What does Cassie realize that Papa had to do to stop the mob from hanging T.J.?
- What is a principle about gratitude that you learned from this book, and how can you show gratitude for the good things in your life?
Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/