The Leap: Analyzing Themes and Characters
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The Leap: Analyzing Themes and Characters

Grade 8English15 days
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5.0 (1 rating)
This project focuses on analyzing the literary elements of 'The Leap' by Louise Eldrich for 8th-grade English students. It explores themes of memory and change through activities such as literary device exploration, character development diaries, memory mapping, point of view analysis, and theme tracking. Students engage in personal connections through an Ancestry Exploration Day, enhancing their understanding of character motivations and narrative dynamics while fulfilling various CCSS literacy standards.
LiteratureCharacter DevelopmentThemesLiterary DevicesMemoryNarrative Analysis
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How might an analysis of themes, literary devices, and character development in 'The Leap' by Louise Eldrich help us understand the role of memory and change in literature?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the central themes and messages in 'The Leap' by Louise Eldrich?
  • How does the author use literary devices to convey emotions and tension in 'The Leap'?
  • In what ways do the characters in 'The Leap' demonstrate resilience and change?
  • How does the setting influence the narrative and characters' actions in 'The Leap'?
  • What role does memory play in shaping the story in 'The Leap'?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will analyze and interpret the central themes and messages of 'The Leap' by Louise Eldrich.
  • Students will evaluate the author's use of literary devices to convey emotion and build narrative tension.
  • Students will examine character development and demonstrate understanding of how characters illustrate resilience and change.
  • Students will explore the influence of setting on narrative structure and character actions in 'The Leap.'
  • Students will assess the role of memory in shaping plot and character motivations in the story.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1
Primary
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.Reason: This project requires students to analyze themes, literary devices, and characters in 'The Leap,' necessitating strong text analysis skills supported by evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2
Primary
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.Reason: The focus on analyzing themes and character development aligns with this standard, as students must understand how these elements evolve within the story.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.3
Primary
Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.Reason: Analyzing character development and how it propels the story aligns clearly with this standard.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4
Primary
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.Reason: Students analyze literary devices, including the author's word choice, which is essential for understanding the emotional and tension-laden aspects of 'The Leap.'
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.6
Primary
Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.Reason: Understanding perspective and its effects on the reader is integral to analyzing 'The Leap,' especially regarding memory and change.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Ancestry Exploration Day

Encourage students to delve into their family histories and share a remarkable 'leap' an ancestor took, drawing connections to the leaps taken by characters in the novel. This personal connection invites curiosity about their own backgrounds while setting the stage for understanding the motivations of the novel's characters.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Literary Device Exploration: Emotion Builders

Students will delve into the author’s use of literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, and metaphors to convey emotion and tension. This activity will enhance students' ability to identify and analyze the specific word choices and stylistic elements that breathe life into 'The Leap.'

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review selected passages from 'The Leap' that contain vivid imagery or symbolism.
2. Annotate the text, noting any striking literary devices and their emotional and narrative impact.
3. Create a poster displaying examples of these devices, explaining how they contribute to the overall tone and emotion of the story.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA creative poster illustrating several literary devices used in 'The Leap' and their effect on emotion and tone.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 by determining meanings of words and analyzing the impact of word choice on meaning and tone.
Activity 2

Character Development Diaries: Tracing Growth and Resilience

Tracking character development, students will compile diary entries from a character's perspective in 'The Leap,' reflecting on critical moments that illustrate character growth or resilience.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a major character in 'The Leap' and outline their role and traits at the beginning of the story.
2. Identify at least three pivotal moments in the narrative where the character experiences significant change or challenge.
3. Write diary entries from the character’s perspective about these moments, exploring their thoughts and feelings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of diary entries that illuminate the evolution of a character’s growth and resilience in 'The Leap.'

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.3 by analyzing incidents that propelled character development.
Activity 3

Memory Mapping: Plotting Past Influences

Students create a 'memory map' to visually represent how memories influence the characters' decisions and the plot's direction in 'The Leap.'

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. List key memories that impact character decisions in 'The Leap.'
2. Design a memory map on paper or digitally, connecting these memories to specific plot developments and character decisions.
3. Discuss how these memories shape the character’s agency or perception throughout the story.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive memory map showing the connection between past experiences and pivotal narrative moments in 'The Leap.'

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1 by citing textual evidence to highlight character motivations and decision-making influenced by memory.
Activity 4

Point of View Perception Panels: Revealing Perspectives

Examine how the different points of view in 'The Leap' create narrative effects such as suspense or humor. This activity will engage students in comparing character perspectives with their own understanding as readers.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read and analyze passages where perspective plays a critical role in 'The Leap.'
2. Create a chart comparing different character perspectives with reader responses.
3. Present findings in a perception panel discussion, articulating how perspective influences narrative dynamics.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative chart and discussion notes that dissect how narrative perspective affects the plot and reader engagement in 'The Leap.'

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.6 by analyzing point of view and its effects on the story.
Activity 5

Theme Tracker Journeys: Discovering Central Ideas

Students will uncover and plot the central themes in 'The Leap,' analyzing how themes evolve throughout the story and connect with characters, setting, and plot. This activity lays the foundation for understanding the narrative depth of the novel and its thematic richness.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read the first section of 'The Leap' and identify any recurring ideas or messages.
2. Create a theme tracker by listing these repeating ideas and connecting them with specific character actions or plot developments.
3. Discuss in groups how these themes might develop with the progression of the story.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA theme tracker document that plots the evolution of themes along with related plot points and character actions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2 by determining themes in a text and analyzing their development.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

'The Leap' Literary Analysis

Category 1

Literary Device Exploration

Evaluates the ability to identify and analyze literary devices in 'The Leap' and their impact on emotion and tone.
Criterion 1

Identification of Literary Devices

Identifies and labels significant literary devices in the text, such as imagery, symbolism, and metaphors.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies a wide range of literary devices with precision, showing insight into their roles in the text.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies the majority of key literary devices accurately and explains their basic functions.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some literary devices, with general explanations of their roles.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify literary devices or provides inaccurate labels with minimal explanation.

Criterion 2

Analysis of Emotional Impact

Evaluates how well students analyze the emotional and narrative impact of identified literary devices.

Exemplary
4 Points

Analyzes the emotional impact of literary devices with depth, providing rich examples and insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear analysis of how literary devices affect emotion and tone, with relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts analysis of emotional impact with limited examples and generalized insights.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with analyzing emotional impact or provides unsupported conclusions.

Category 2

Character Development Diaries

Assesses the understanding of character growth and resilience through diary entries reflecting narrative turning points.
Criterion 1

Character Insight and Reflection

Judges the depth and insight of character analysis through reflective diary entries.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides profound insights into character growth, with reflections capturing underlying motivations and changes.

Proficient
3 Points

Reflects appropriately on character developments, providing clear descriptions of changes and motivations.

Developing
2 Points

Reflects on character changes with basic understanding but lacks depth in insights.

Beginning
1 Points

Offers minimal reflection on character changes, lacking depiction of underlying motivations.

Criterion 2

Narrative Connection

Evaluates the ability to connect character changes to key narrative events.

Exemplary
4 Points

Effectively connects character development to pivotal narrative events with detailed examples and insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly connects character growth to important story events with appropriate examples.

Developing
2 Points

Connects character changes to narrative events in a general manner, offering basic examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to connect character growth to narrative events, providing limited or inaccurate examples.

Category 3

Memory Mapping

Assesses the understanding of memory's role in influencing character decisions and plot development.
Criterion 1

Memory-Decision Connection

Evaluates how well students illustrate and explain how memories influence characters' decisions in the story.

Exemplary
4 Points

Illustrates and explains connections between memories and decisions with clarity and insightful examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Adequately explains memory-decision links with good examples and clarity.

Developing
2 Points

Explains some memory-decision connections with limited examples, lacking depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or explain memory-decision connections, with minimal examples.

Category 4

Point of View Analysis

Evaluates students' ability to analyze different perspectives in 'The Leap' and their impact on narrative dynamics.
Criterion 1

Perspective Understanding

Measures comprehension of how different narrative perspectives affect story dynamics and reader engagement.

Exemplary
4 Points

Analyzes perspective effects with nuance, showing sophisticated understanding of narrative techniques.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly explains perspective effects and their impact on the story, with apt examples.

Developing
2 Points

Discusses perspective effects with basic understanding, offering generalized statements.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with understanding perspective effects, providing unclear or inaccurate explanations.

Category 5

Theme Analysis

Assesses students' ability to identify and track themes in 'The Leap.'
Criterion 1

Theme Identification

Assesses identification and explanation of central themes and their relation to plot and character development.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies central themes with depth, relating them comprehensively to plot and character development.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately identifies key themes, explaining their connection to the narrative effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies themes with basic understanding, offering general insights into their relevance.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or relate themes to narrative elements, with minimal explanation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how analyzing the themes, literary devices, and character development in 'The Leap' by Louise Eldrich has enhanced your understanding of the role of memory and change in literature.

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel in identifying and interpreting literary devices after completing the 'Literary Device Exploration' activity?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which character in 'The Leap' did you find most compelling in terms of their development and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
The Mother
The Narrator/Child
Other (specify)
Question 4

How did creating a memory map influence your perception of how past experiences shape character decisions in 'The Leap'?

Text
Optional
Question 5

Discuss how your perspective on the narrative might differ from the characters' perspectives as explored in the 'Point of View Perception Panels' activity.

Text
Optional
Question 6

Rate your overall engagement with the themes of 'The Leap' as observed in the 'Theme Tracker Journeys' activity.

Scale
Optional