Skellig Lesson 23: Themes - PowerPoint

In Lesson Twenty Three of the 'Skellig' unit, students delve into the thematic heart of David Almond's novel. The objective of the lesson is for students to grasp how Almond communicates various themes and ideas to his audience. To kick off the discussion, the lesson draws a parallel with the familiar story of 'The Three Little Pigs', encouraging students to reflect on the underlying messages and morals of the tale. This comparison sets the stage for exploring the concept of themes in literature, which are the central subjects or messages that authors want readers to contemplate.

Students are then prompted to consider what themes 'Skellig' might encompass. Themes can cover a wide range of topics, including war, love, growing up, and prejudice. To further their understanding, students are tasked with creating a mind map that illustrates the diverse themes present in 'Skellig', such as death, friendship, education, religion, and homeschooling. This visual exercise helps students to concretize how Almond weaves these themes into the fabric of the novel. As a culminating activity, students are assigned to complete their mind maps as homework, which may later be used to adorn the classroom walls, serving as a visual reminder of the novel's rich thematic layers.