Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Night by Elie Wiesel

Grade Level: 9-12 (This lesson plan can be adapted for different grade levels by adjusting the complexity of the text excerpts and discussion questions)

Subject: English Language Arts, History

Time Allotment: Two class periods (can be adjusted based on class discussion and activities)

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to summarize the key events that occur at the beginning of Elie Wiesel's memoir, Night.
Students will be able to identify and analyze the use of literary devices such as imagery and symbolism in the text.
Students will be able to discuss the theme of loss of innocence in Night.

Materials:

Copies of excerpts from Night by Elie Wiesel (focusing on the beginning of the book, where Elie describes his life before the camps)
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Chart paper or handout for brainstorming

Lesson Procedure:

Day 1:

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin with a brief discussion about World War II. Ask students what they already know about the Holocaust.
Introduce Elie Wiesel and his memoir, Night. Briefly explain that Night is a first-hand account of Wiesel's experiences as a teenager in the concentration camps.

Setting the Stage (15 minutes):

Distribute excerpts from the beginning of Night. These excerpts should introduce Elie's life before the camps, his family, and his religious community.
Have students read the excerpts silently.

Comprehension and Analysis (25 minutes):

Facilitate a group discussion about the excerpts. Ask questions to guide students' analysis, such as:

✵ What is Elie's life like before the war?

✵ How does Wiesel use imagery to describe his life and surroundings?

✵ Are there any specific details that foreshadow what is to come?

✵ What is the tone of these excerpts? How does it make you feel?

Theme Exploration (20 minutes):

Introduce the theme of loss of innocence.
Ask students to discuss how Elie's innocence is challenged by the events described in the excerpts.
Have students brainstorm a list of words or phrases that represent innocence. Then, have them create another list for words or phrases that represent loss.
Guide a discussion on how these contrasting concepts are portrayed in the text.

Day 2:

Review and Deep Dive (10 minutes):

Briefly review the key events and themes discussed on Day 1.

Figurative Language Analysis (20 minutes):

Focus on specific examples of imagery and symbolism used by Wiesel.
Ask students to identify these examples and explain how they contribute to the meaning of the text.
Consider using a graphic organizer or chart paper to categorize and analyze the different literary devices.

Connecting to the Bigger Picture (20 minutes):

Ask students to consider the broader historical context of the Holocaust.
How does understanding this historical context impact their reading of Night?
Discuss the importance of remembering such events and the role of literature in bearing witness.

Wrap-up and Assessment (10 minutes):

Have students write a short reflection on their initial understanding of the Holocaust compared to their understanding after reading these excerpts from Night.
This reflection can serve as an informal assessment of their learning.

Differentiation:

Provide scaffolding for struggling readers by offering graphic organizers or sentence starters for their reflections.
Challenge advanced readers to research a specific aspect of life before the Holocaust in Elie's town of Sighet.

Extension Activities:

Students can create a visual representation of a scene from the excerpts, focusing on the imagery used by Wiesel.
Have students research a specific aspect of Jewish life or religious practices mentioned in the book and present their findings to the class.

Note:

This lesson plan deals with sensitive and disturbing topics. Be sure to create a safe and supportive classroom environment for discussion.
Consider providing students with resources for support if they are struggling emotionally with the content.