This activity uses drama to bring to life key scenes from the novel and will help students to memorize the plot after reading it in class. Start by dividing the class into five groups and let each group choose a scene to act out, like the children trying to get Boo to come out in Chapter 1 or the Sheriff testifying in court. Each group will then draft a script using Lee's dialogue, cast each part and memorize their lines. Invite parents for an after-school performance of each scene.
In this activity, students imagine that they are a reporter at the "Maycomb Gazette." Each student must produce two newspaper front pages detailing the trial of Tom Robinson and the death of Bob Ewell. Students should include a headline, description and information on the town's reaction to each event. Encourage students to use relevant quotes from the book and an illustration with a caption. Display the newspaper reports on the classroom wall.
Use this post-reading activity to help students think critically about the literary themes of "To Kill A Mockingbird." Divide the class into four groups and allocate one of the following themes to each: race gender, justice and literacy. Each group can explore the importance of this theme in the book through locating and analyzing specific examples. Have students share their findings in a short presentation to the rest of the class .
In this novel, Atticus explains to Scout that "you never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view" and this activity allows students to do exactly that. Students must choose one scene from the book and narrate it from the perspective of another character, like Mayella Ewell's experience of Tom Robinson's trial. Encourage students to use their imaginations and have students present their interpretation to the rest of the class.