Exploring 'Lord of the Flies' Through Art and Analysis

9th Grade

Project
2 weeks

Exploring 'Lord of the Flies' Through Art and Analysis

Julia Roehrkasse

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to deepen students' understanding of "Lord of the Flies" by exploring the novel's tone and mood, and how these elements convey central conflicts and messages. Through a combination of visual art creation, peer reviews, and comparative analysis, students will engage in critical thinking and artistic expression. By collaborating with community partners and participating in public exhibitions, students will enhance their public speaking skills and community engagement. This project aligns with key educational standards, fostering students' abilities to interpret literary elements, analyze text structures, and present information effectively.

Learning goals

In this project, students will deepen their understanding of "Lord of the Flies" by exploring how tone and mood contribute to the novel's central conflicts and messages. They will develop critical reading skills by identifying and analyzing the tone and mood in key scenes, both in the text and through artistic interpretations. Students will enhance their ability to interpret words and phrases, understanding how specific word choices shape meaning and tone (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4). They will analyze the structure of the text and its relationship to the whole (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5), and present their findings in a clear and organized manner (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4). Through comparative analysis, they will evaluate how different artistic mediums represent tone and mood, meeting standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6 and CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7. Additionally, students will develop socio-emotional awareness by reflecting on their personal interpretations and engaging in peer reviews, fostering a deeper connection to the novel's themes.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 - Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4 - Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.6 - Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7 - Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts" and Breughel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus).

Products

In this project, students will create a visual art piece that captures their personal interpretation of a key scene from "Lord of the Flies," focusing on the tone and mood conveyed. They will also produce a written reflection detailing how the artistic process enhanced their understanding of the novel's themes and emotions. Additionally, students will prepare and deliver a multimedia presentation analyzing the tone and mood of selected scenes, comparing literary and film adaptations. This will culminate in a 'Literary Art Gala' and a 'Tone and Mood Symposium,' where students will exhibit their artwork and present their analyses to peers, teachers, and community members. Through these activities, students will develop their interpretive, analytical, and public speaking skills, meeting the specified literacy and presentation standards.

Launch

To kick off the project, organize a "Mood and Tone Gallery Walk." Set up a space where different artistic interpretations of key scenes from "Lord of the Flies" are displayed. These could include paintings, digital art, or even sculptures. As students walk through the gallery, they will analyze how tone and mood are conveyed through these various art forms. This activity will spark curiosity and engagement with the novel's themes, encouraging students to think critically about how mood and tone are expressed not only in literature but also in visual arts. This immersive experience will set the stage for deeper exploration and analysis throughout the project.

Exhibition

To effectively exhibit the students' learning at the end of this project, consider hosting a "Literary Art Gala" where students display their visual art interpretations of key scenes from "Lord of the Flies" alongside their written reflections. This event can be held in the school auditorium or a community center, inviting parents, teachers, and community members to engage in discussions about the novel's themes and emotions. Additionally, organize a "Tone and Mood Symposium" where students present their analyses of "Lord of the Flies" through speeches and multimedia presentations, highlighting their understanding of tone and mood. This formal setting will allow students to demonstrate their public speaking skills and deepen their comprehension of the novel's themes. Finally, arrange a "Community Reading and Reflection Night" at a local library, where students read excerpts from the novel and share their insights on tone and mood with an audience, fostering community engagement and public speaking skills. These exhibitions provide a platform for students to showcase their learning, creativity, and analytical skills, aligning with the project's essential question and standards.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Launch the project with a 'Mood and Tone Gallery Walk.' The teacher sets up a gallery with various artistic interpretations of key scenes from 'Lord of the Flies.' Students analyze the different artworks, focusing on how tone and mood are conveyed.	Activity 2: Class discussion and brainstorming session on tone and mood in 'Lord of the Flies.' Students will share their initial thoughts and interpretations based on the gallery walk.	Activity 3: Reading and analysis of selected scenes from 'Lord of the Flies' with a focus on tone and mood. Students will work in small groups to identify specific words and phrases that contribute to the tone and mood.	Activity 4: Introduction to visual art creation. Students will begin brainstorming and sketching ideas for their visual art pieces, selecting a key scene from the novel to interpret.	Activity 5: Peer review session where students share their initial sketches and receive feedback from classmates. They will refine their ideas and plans for their final art piece.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A written reflection on the 'Mood and Tone Gallery Walk' activity, detailing how the different artworks conveyed tone and mood. 2. Deliverable 2: A group analysis document identifying tone and mood in a selected scene from 'Lord of the Flies,' including specific word choices and their effects.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Curate and set up the 'Mood and Tone Gallery Walk' with a variety of artistic interpretations of 'Lord of the Flies.' 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Select key scenes from the novel for in-class reading and analysis, ensuring they demonstrate distinct tone and mood. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Prepare materials and guidelines for the visual art creation activity, including examples and prompts to inspire students.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Finalize visual art creations. Students will dedicate time to complete their visual art pieces, focusing on accurately conveying the tone and mood of their chosen scene from 'Lord of the Flies.'	Activity 2: Written reflection drafting. Students will begin writing a reflection on their artistic process and how it deepened their understanding of the novel's themes and emotions.	Activity 3: Multimedia presentation preparation. Students will work in pairs or small groups to prepare a multimedia presentation analyzing the tone and mood of selected scenes from both the novel and its film adaptation.	Activity 4: Peer review of presentations. Students will present their draft presentations to classmates, receiving feedback on content, clarity, and delivery.	Activity 5: Rehearsal for the 'Literary Art Gala' and 'Tone and Mood Symposium.' Students will practice presenting their art pieces and analyses to ensure readiness for the public exhibition.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed visual art piece capturing the student's interpretation of a key scene from 'Lord of the Flies.' 2. Deliverable 2: Written reflection on the artistic process and its impact on understanding the novel. 3. Deliverable 3: Multimedia presentation analyzing tone and mood in selected scenes, comparing the novel and film adaptation.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Organize materials for art completion, such as paints, brushes, canvases, or digital tools, and set up the workspace. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Provide guidelines and rubrics for the written reflection to help students articulate their insights effectively. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Arrange necessary technology and resources for multimedia presentation creation, including computers, projectors, and presentation software. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Coordinate logistics for the 'Literary Art Gala' and 'Tone and Mood Symposium,' including scheduling, venue setup, and invitations to community members.