Common Core Aligned, Engaging Short Story Lesson: "Thank You Ma'am"

Every once in a while, there's that character who lives in your mind far after reading a story. Mrs. Leuella Bates Washing Jones is that character for me. She demonstrates how one simple act of kindness can make a life-changing difference in another's life. My students are always engaged with this story and actually want to discuss after the cliffhanger ending.

Here's what you'll get:

1) A Google Slide Deck that corresponds directly with the student guide with engaging video clips related to the concepts.

2) Anticipation / Pre-reading: questions that relate to the themes presented in the story and ethical dilemmas

3) Active Reading Questions with corresponding text allowing for "close reading" practice; evidence-based questions that require inferring based on characters' dialogue and actions

4) Thematic connections between Hughes' story and his poem "Dreams."

5) A copy of the full-length story and poem

I love to follow up this lesson with this short film version of the story. Students love to compare it with the text version.

I use this with 6th graders; however, it could easily be adapted for grade levels below and above.