to kill a mockingbird summer reading assignment answers

To Kill a Mockingbird

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Introduction

To kill a mockingbird: plot summary, to kill a mockingbird: detailed summary & analysis, to kill a mockingbird: themes, to kill a mockingbird: quotes, to kill a mockingbird: characters, to kill a mockingbird: symbols, to kill a mockingbird: theme wheel, brief biography of harper lee.

Historical Context of To Kill a Mockingbird

Other books related to to kill a mockingbird.

• Full Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
• When Written: 1950-1960
• Where Written: New York City and Monroeville, Alabama
• When Published: 1960
• Literary Period: Modernism
• Genre: Bildungsroman; Social Novel
• Setting: The fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression
• Climax: The trial of Tom Robinson; or when Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem
• Antagonist: Bob Ewell; more broadly, racism and mob mentality
• Point of View: First Person

Extra Credit for To Kill a Mockingbird

“Dill” Capote. The character of Dill is based on Harper Lee’s real-life childhood friend, Truman Capote, who went on to become a national literary star in his own right. He wrote the bestselling true crime book In Cold Blood .

Atticus in Real Life. Harper Lee became close friends with Gregory Peck, the actor who played Atticus in the Academy Award-winning film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird . She remained close with his family after Peck died, and Peck’s grandson is even named Harper after her.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Unit Plan (Grade 8 to Grade 10)

Designing a great novel unit challenges even the most expert teachers. This To Kill a Mockingbird unit plan will help you make your unit a success. This unit divides the novel into six (approximately) equal readings.  Lessons, activities, discussion sets, and reading quizzes accompany each reading.

To Kill a Mockingbird Unit Overview

• Pre-reading: “It’s NOT about Birds!” (anticipation guide)
• Reading 1: Building Character
• Reading 2: The True Boo
• Reading 3: 1930s America
• Reading 4: Atticus v. Maycomb
• Reading 5: TKM and The Scottsboro Affair
• Reading 6: It’s Complicated (structure)
• Final Exam and Project: Beyond the Mockingbird (symbolism)

To Kill a Mockingbird Lessons

Pre-reading lessons.

● It’s NOT about Birds! ( anticipation guide ) ● Who Is Jim Crow? (historical context) ● A New Point of View (personal essay) ● When an Apple Isn’t an Apple (symbolism)

Reading 1 (Chapters 1-5)

● Building Character (textual analysis) ● One Form of Courage (group presentation) ● Setting and Mood (analyze word choice) ● Discussion Questions (Chapters 1-5)

Reading 2 (Chapters 6-9)

● The True Boo (structural effects) ● Atticus’ Guide to Parenting (characterization) ● Dialect in Dialogue (skit) ● Discussion Questions (Chapters 6-9)

Reading 3 (Chapters 10-14)

● Atticus v. Maycomb (points of view) ● 1930s America Gallery (primary sources) ● Symbol Poems (creative writing) ● Discussion Questions (Chapters 10-14)

Reading 4 (Chapters 15-18)

● Closing Arguments I (composition) ● Closing Arguments II (delivery) ● Harper Lee’s Style (textual analysis) ● Discussion Questions (Chapters 15-18)

Reading 5 (Chapters 19-23)

● Trial on Trial (argument and persuasion) ● The Scottsboro Affair (analyze bias) ● Writing with Imagery (creative writing) ● Discussion Questions (Chapter 19-23)

Reading 6 (Chapters 24-31)

● Lee’s Themes (trace development) ● Beyond the Mockingbird (symbolism) ● It’s Complicated (group structure diagram) ● Discussion Questions (Chapters 24-31)

Bonus lessons

● The Suspense is Killing Me! (effects of structure) ● To Kill a Mockingbird in Context (timeline) ● Hypocrites! (group skit)

To Kill a Mockingbird Unit and Teacher Guide contents:

31  to kill a mockingbird lesson plans:.

• 25 complete lessons
• 6 discussion sets
• Connected readings, graphic organizers, and clips
• A variety of activities and learning modes

To Kill a Mockingbird  Reading Checks (6 readings)

• 10 questions each (multiple choice)
• PDF and DOCX files (print as-is or modify in Word or Google Docs)
• Includes answer document

28  To Kill a Mockingbird  Assignments  (culminating tasks and learning extensions)

• Encourage debate, foster creativity, guide research,  and make connections.
• Assignment pages Include helpful organizers, scaffolding, and links.
• Resource preview (PDF)

To Kill a Mockingbird  Unit Test Bank

• Delete the questions you do not want.  That’s it, your test is ready.
• Comprehension/recall (70 multiple-choice questions)
• Language Arts elements (53 multiple-choice questions)
• Short Answer (28 prompts)
• Extended Answer (17 prompts)
• This file can be modified in MS Word or in Google Docs.

Sample To Kill a Mockingbird Lesson Plans

NOTE: Theses To Kill a Mockingbird lesson plans are align to the Common Core standards for grade 10.  However, since the Language Arts standards are recursive, they usually relate to the same standard for grade 8.

Lesson: The True Boo

Common Core standard: RL2 Key Ideas and Details (theme development) RL9-10.2 “Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.”

The message of a narrative (any story) is called the theme. A long text might have many themes. A theme is always expressed in a complete sentence.

Theme: Love stinks. (This is a complete sentence.) Theme subject: Love (This is not a sentence.)

Brainstorm all the theme subjects that are developing in To Kill a Mockingbird .

Chart student responses.

This reading develops a plot surrounding the true nature of Boo Radley. We unravel the mystery of Boo Radley along with the kids. What theme does Lee develop in this episode? (Hint: Jem’s point of view on the events is especially important.)

THE TRUE BOO HANDOUT (PDF)

Students create a chart that compares Boo Radley perceptions vs. Boo Radley reality. This chart may be completed individually or in collaborative groups. Decide if you want the students to simply identify the events or to include citations. After collecting the evidence, students should be able to identify the theme.

What theme has Harper Lee developed about perceptions? Summarize how she uses the plot surrounding Boo Radley to develop this theme.

Lesson: 1930s America Gallery

Common Core standard: SL4 Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas (present findings) SL9-10.4 “Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.”

Scout and Jem are growing up in a small town in Alabama in the 1930s. What aspects of their lives are the most different from your own experiences? What aspects are similar?

Discuss responses as a class.

Your group will present one image from the 1930s America Gallery to the class. You will conduct outside research in order to gain expertise.

1930s AMERICA GALLERY PDF (to print or project)

In your presentation make sure to…

• Explain key terms.
• Put the image in context. (How does it fit within history?)
• Think about the original purpose behind the image.
• Offer two informative quotes from your research.
• Analyze key details of the image.
• Make connections to To Kill a Mockingbird .

Decide how you want students to participate as listeners. Will they be required to ask one thoughtful question? Will they record an explanation for each of the primary sources?

Which image from today’s gallery is the most memorable or interesting for you? Explain your choice.

What are your key takeaways from today’s gallery? What did you learn? Do your findings help you better understand the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird ?

Lesson: Closing Arguments I (composition)

Common Core standard: W1 Text Types and Purposes (argument) W.9-10.1 “Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.”

We have not heard all the testimony, but what are some of the problems with the prosecution’s case so far? Review the aspects that do not build a solid case against Tom Robinson. Why might one doubt the Ewells’ testimony?

Chart responses as a class.

You will be serving on the defense team for Tom Robinson. Your task is the write the closing argument. Listen to Tom Robinson’s testimony and think about how the additional evidence will help you defend him.

How can you persuade the members of the jury to find Tom Robinson innocent?

Read the first part of Chapter 19 (Tom Robinson’s testimony) as a class. Add to the class chart of ideas and evidence.

Persuasive appeals (reasons): Logos : A logical appeal. Based on sound and reasonable thought. Pathos : An appeal to emotions. Anger, sadness, affection, etc. can persuade. Ethos : Moral expertise and knowledge. Determining right and wrong.

If time allows, discuss faulty reasoning and deceptive persuasion .

In defending Tom Robinson, think about the three types of appeals: logical appeals, emotional appeals, and ethical appeals. Regarding emotional appeals, a dramatic delivery is not out of order, but the tone should be appropriate for the trial.

What makes a formal argument?

• Organizing the elements: position statement, claims, reasons, evidence, and counterclaims
• Developing reasons and appeals with key evidence
• Making transitions and connections (transition words)
• Keeping an appropriate tone and style
• Concluding with authority

Click to access Writing-Argument-HANDOUT.pdf

Think about counterarguments. What claims and reasons might the prosecution present in the closing argument? How will you respond?

Lesson: To Kill a Mockingbird in Context (timeline)

Key standard: RL9 Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL7-8.9 “Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.”

What do you think Harper Lee wanted to accomplish in writing To Kill a Mockingbird ? (Of course, she may have had many reasons.)

Harper Lee wanted to entertain readers and be compensated, but she may have had larger goals. After all, she published in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement.

To think about how this work of fiction relates to real history, you will create a timeline of key terms and events. You must sort the terms in chronological order from earliest to latest.

Include the fictional events of To Kill a Mockingbird (1933-1935) and the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) in your timeline.

Click to access To-Kill-a-Mockingbird-Context-HANDOUT.pdf

How does Harper Lee mirror real-life events in To Kill a Mockingbird ? Why does she create these similarities?

Think about the people reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time in 1960. How do you think different people reacted to the novel?

Lesson: Beyond the Mockingbird (symbolism)

Common Core standard: RL2 Main Ideas and Details (theme) RL9-10.2 “Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.”

SYMBOLISM DRILL! Choose four examples from the list and offer an idea about what each might represent in a creative work. Be imaginative!

What objects, places, events, or people in To Kill a Mockingbird might be symbols?

Harper Lee uses symbols to develop the novel’s themes (messages about life). Each group is to choose one symbolic element from the list and present analysis on its development.

Decide how extensively students must use textual evidence. This presentation could work at varying levels of formality.

Your presentation must include…

• Relevant textual evidence with analysis
• An explanation of how Lee creates the symbolism
• The connection between the symbol and a theme

Speaking and Listening (SL9-10.6): Practice presentating in a professional manner.

• Posture (standing up straight and not fidgeting)
• Movement (engaging eye contact and gestures)
• Voice (clear, paced, and with inflection)
• Tone (formal vocabulary and phrasing)
• Explanation (Do not read off the screen or board. The text is a list of concepts and details that you will explain, not a script. Expand on the key terms, phrases, and visuals with your expert knowledge.)

Does symbolism have an impact on you as a reader or is it a wasted effort? Explain your answer.

Which symbol from To Kill a Mockingbird is most impactful to you as a reader? Explain your choice.

Create an outline for a short story that includes a symbol. Briefly outline the characters, setting, plot, theme, and symbol.

Goals of the To Kill a Mockingbird Unit:

Analyze point of view. Explain how Lee’s choice of narrator impacts the telling.  The narrator is an adult, but, through her memories, we adopt a childish point of view.  As a result, the reader benefits from two points of view in one.

Trace theme development.   Lee packs T o Kill a Mockingbird with messages about life and human nature.  Major themes on understanding others, protecting the innocent, and prejudice develop through a variety of literary elements.

Interpret symbolism and analyze its use.   While the mockingbird symbol is heavy-handed and obvious, Lee also creates more subtle symbols.  Recognize symbols, analyze their development, and explain the author’s purpose.

Make connections to historical context. Explain how the setting of the novel and the time of publication relate to historical realities and events.

Recognize the complexities of structure.  At first glance, TKM seems like a straightforward recollection.  Closer inspection reveals a text with two parts, parallel main plots, episodic subplots, and a wealth of structural effects that weave together in a cohesive whole.

Describe the author’s style.  The highlights of Lee’s style in To Kill a Mockingbird include how she integrates dialect, creates imagery, and establishes tone.

Explore methods of characterization. In TKM Harper Lee creates some of the most memorable characters of American literature.  Explain characterization methods in general and characterization in TKM specifically.

Download the complete resource :

Thanks for checking out  to kill a mockingbird unit plan.

I started TeachNovels after many frustrating years of trying to find the perfect resources for the books that I wanted to teach. It is my sincere hope that you have found some ideas that you can use in your teaching practice. Check out all of the TKM posts for more ideas and resources.

Related Post:  To Kill a Mockingbird Unit Test (PDF)

NOTE: I developed my To Kill a Mockingbird Unit for grade 8 at a magnet school (special admission with IEP inclusion). I aligned the unit to Common Core standards for grade 9 and 10 as part of an accelerated program.  Since the Language Arts standards are recursive, the goals for each standards are similar from grade to grade.

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To Kill a Mockingbird: Summer Reading Assignment

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<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>Reading</strong> <strong>Assignment</strong> for LECJ’s 2012 Incoming Freshmen<br />

<strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong><br />

Read <strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong>, by Harper Lee. You can find this in most bookstores and libraries, as well as online at<br />

www.amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, etc. The school does not have extra copies of this book for students<br />

to borrow.<br />

Carefully provide complete, thorough, and original answers for each of the questions that you will find on the<br />

following pages. Your teachers at LECJ expect high-quality answers—not short phrases and one-sentence answers.<br />

Look up any terms or words you do not know. Type your answers and save them—if you can. When typing, do not<br />

type the questions—type only the answers.<br />

If you cannot type your answers, write them on separate paper; you can<br />

type your answers in the library when school starts. Do not write your answers on this handout.<br />

You will turn in your typed answers to the teacher the week of September 4, 2012. You will also upload them to a<br />

Web site during the second week of school. This Web site will check to see if your answers are original, meaning your<br />

own thoughts and writing and not copied from the Web or from a classmate.<br />

All page numbers here refer both to a Warner Books edition of this novel and to a Grand Central Publishing edition of<br />

this novel. Page numbers in this document are expressed as “p.A/p.B.” The “A” number is from a Warner Books copy.<br />

The “B” number is from a Grand Central Publishing copy.<br />

• Here's an example: “pp. 5-6/p. 6”.<br />

In this example “pp. 5-6” refers to the Warner Books edition, and “p. 6” refers to the Grand Central Publishing<br />

edition. Your page numbers may be different.<br />

Read the book. Many students believe that watching a movie version of a book is the same as reading the book. This<br />

is not correct. The movie version of <strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong> differs in significant ways from the novel. All assignments<br />

on this novel are based on close readings from the book, as well.<br />

Recommended <strong>Reading</strong>:<br />

<strong>To</strong> increase your vocabulary, we suggest you purchase:<br />

WORD SMART by the Princeton Review (Freshmen and Sophomores)<br />

Your English teacher will assign work from this resource throughout the year.

1) In Chapter 1, pp. 5-6/p. 6, the narrator notes, “But<br />

it was a time of vague optimism for some of the<br />

people: Maycomb County had recently been told<br />

that it had nothing to fear but fear itself.” This<br />

alludes to another famous quote.<br />

A) Who in history said, “the only thing we have<br />

to fear is fear itself”?<br />

B) What was the situation in which it was said?<br />

C) Given what you have learned about this<br />

quotation, estimate the year it is in the novel.<br />

2) In Chapter 10, p. 90/p. 119, Miss Maudie says,<br />

"'<strong>Mockingbird</strong>s don't do one thing but make music<br />

for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's<br />

gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one<br />

thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why<br />

it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'" This quotation<br />

(and several more like it) explains an important<br />

theme of this novel. (A theme is the writer’s<br />

message about life.) Write this theme in your own<br />

words. Do not refer to mockingbirds because the<br />

statement above is just a metaphor for humans.<br />

3) In Chapter 10, p. 98/p. 130, after Atticus shoots a<br />

mad dog, Miss Maudie explains why Atticus, the<br />

best shot in the county, had not shot a gun in<br />

many years: “’I guess he decided he wouldn’t<br />

shoot till he had to….’” What does Miss Maudie’s<br />

remark tell the reader about Atticus? (This is<br />

making an inference.)<br />

4) In Chapter 10, p. 99/p. 131, after Atticus shoots<br />

the mad dog, Jem says, “’Atticus is a gentleman,<br />

just like me.’” What does this quotation tell the<br />

reader about Jem’s attitude toward his father?<br />

5) In Chapter 11, p. 112/p. 149, Atticus gives his idea<br />

of courage: “’It’s when you know you’re licked<br />

before you begin but you begin anyway and you<br />

see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but<br />

sometimes you do.’” Do you agree with this<br />

definition of courage? Explain your answer.<br />

6) Closely read Chapter 15 and briefly summarize<br />

what happens here.<br />

7) Summarize Miss Gates’ lecture on democracy in<br />

the classroom and compare that to her remark to<br />

Miss Crawford outside the courtroom (Chapter<br />

26).<br />

8) Carefully read Chapter 30. Briefly summarize the<br />

argument between Atticus and Sheriff Tate. This<br />

chapter is tricky and a little hard to understand;<br />

you will need to make inferences and know the<br />

characters well. You may need to read it more<br />

than once to understand it.<br />

9) At one point in Chapter 30 (p. 275/p. 369), Atticus<br />

“moved with the same slowness that night in font<br />

of the jail, when I thought it took him forever to<br />

fold his newspaper and toss it into his chair.” Later<br />

in this same chapter (p. 276)/p. 370), Atticus “got<br />

up and walked across the porch into the shadows”<br />

and “his youthful step had returned.” Thoroughly<br />

explain this change in Atticus.<br />

10) Carefully read Chapter 31. On page 279/p. 374,<br />

the narrator notes, “Atticus was right. One time<br />

he said you never really know a man until you<br />

stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”<br />

What event(s) on that page and on the previous<br />

one or two pages leads the narrator to that<br />

conclusion?<br />

11) In Chapter 31, Scout lists the things Boo has given<br />

her and Jem. List those items and explain Scout’s<br />

thoughts about Boo’s gifts.<br />

12) In Chapter 31, Scout says of a character in The<br />

Gray Ghost: “’Atticus, he was real nice….’” Atticus<br />

responds, “’Most people are Scout, when you<br />

finally see them.’” <strong>To</strong> whom is Atticus referring?<br />

Who does Jim discover to be nice after he gets to<br />

know him? Explain your answer thoroughly.

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<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>Reading</strong> <strong>Assignment</strong> for LECJ’s 2012 Incoming Freshmen <strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong> Read <strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong>, by Harper Lee. You can find this in most bookstores and libraries, as well as online at www.amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, etc. The school does not have extra copies of this book for students to borrow. Carefully provide complete, thorough, and original answers for each of the questions that you will find on the following pages. Your teachers at LECJ expect high-quality answers—not short phrases and one-sentence answers. Look up any terms or words you do not know. Type your answers and save them—if you can. When typing, do not type the questions—type only the answers. If you cannot type your answers, write them on separate paper; you can type your answers in the library when school starts. Do not write your answers on this handout. You will turn in your typed answers to the teacher the week of September 4, 2012. You will also upload them to a Web site during the second week of school. This Web site will check to see if your answers are original, meaning your own thoughts and writing and not copied from the Web or from a classmate. All page numbers here refer both to a Warner Books edition of this novel and to a Grand Central Publishing edition of this novel. Page numbers in this document are expressed as “p.A/p.B.” The “A” number is from a Warner Books copy. The “B” number is from a Grand Central Publishing copy. • Here's an example: “pp. 5-6/p. 6”. In this example “pp. 5-6” refers to the Warner Books edition, and “p. 6” refers to the Grand Central Publishing edition. Your page numbers may be different. Read the book. Many students believe that watching a movie version of a book is the same as reading the book. This is not correct. The movie version of <strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong> differs in significant ways from the novel. All assignments on this novel are based on close readings from the book, as well. Recommended <strong>Reading</strong>: <strong>To</strong> increase your vocabulary, we suggest you purchase: WORD SMART by the Princeton Review (Freshmen and Sophomores) Your English teacher will assign work from this resource throughout the year.

• Page 2: 1) In Chapter 1, pp. 5-6/p. 6, the

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20 exciting and engaging lessons for To Kill a Mockingbird

by mindroar | Feb 14, 2022 | blog | 0 comments

Are you looking for lessons for To Kill a Mockingbird ?  To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic American novel that is included in many middle school and high school curriculums.

In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at lessons and activities for To Kill a Mockingbird. 

We’ve got you covered for pre-reading activities, while-reading activities, after-reading activities, and whole-unit bundles.

I vividly remember when I was taught To Kill a Mockingbird in Year 11.  The book looked old and tatty, the title was unappealing, and at the time I was obsessed with YA sci-fi.

A realistic novel set in America’s south was pretty far outside of both my interests and experience.

But boy was it a memorable book.  I forced myself to read through the first few chapters, and after that, I was hooked!

With my teacher hat on, I think if the novel was introduced to me in a more exciting way, I would have had way more enthusiasm for tackling the book.  

And as we know, pre-reading activities are a great way to familiarize students with the world of a book, but also to create excitement about what is to come.

To Kill a Mockingbird pre-reading activities

1. carousel discussion.

The first pre-reading activity for To Kill a Mockingbird is this carousel discussion activity by English Bulldog.

This carousel discussion gets students up and moving looking at statements designed to create strong opinions. 

Students read the statements, and in pairs come up with a statement of agreement or disagreement with an explanation.  

After that, you assign students a poster, and students must review the responses and discuss the trend in thinking. 

Finally, students debrief in a class discussion and share their thoughts.  

The activity includes a teacher lesson plan with common core objectives, preparation steps, class agenda, and assessment strategy. 

It also includes a PowerPoint with student-friendly objectives, student directions, and activity time limits.  

2. Agree or disagree activity

The second pre-reading lesson for To Kill a Mockingbird is this lesson by The Lit Guy. 

In the lesson, students view ten statements that they need to either agree or disagree with.  Students are expected to back up their opinion during the following class discussion.

The activity also includes teacher tips for running the lesson. 

3. Bias discussion

The third To Kill a Mockingbird pre-reading activity is this bias discussion activity by Created for Learning. 

Similar to The Lit Guy’s To Kill a Mockingbird teaching materials, this activity asks students to move to an agree or disagree side of the room. 

Then they’re expected to explain their opinions.  

Included in the lesson are a printable handout, a slideshow discussion, and two versions of statements.  One version with a racially controversial question, and one without.

This is a great option for teachers who teach in politically conservative places, where discussion of racial prejudice is akin to . . . 

(insert gif of snake in can https://tenor.com/view/snake-can-pringles-granny-just-for-laugh-gags-gif-13979793 )

But really, you’re not laughing, you’re crying.  On the inside.

4. Teaching vocabulary

Other introductory class activities for To Kill a Mockingbird that are effective are teaching vocabulary words from the novel. 

This pre-reading vocabulary puzzle from Word Wise Language Arts Resources may be just what you’re after if that’s how you’d like to begin.

The crossword is designed to be used with a thesaurus and contains 50 challenging words from the novel. 

It could also serve as a great homework activity.

5. Internet research activities

Another To Kill a Mockingbird introduction activity is to have students research the novel.  This product comes with two internet research activities.

The first research activity is to investigate Harper Lee and other important elements from the novel, such as

• Jim Crow and the Scottsborough Boys
• the Monroe County Courthouse
• the movie version
• and mockingbirds themselves.

The second activity asks students to investigate Southern culture and symbolism more deeply.

This is a student-led way of getting students familiar with the background of the novel.

6. Extension pre-reading kit

The final To Kill a Mockingbird pre-reading activity we have today is from Genre Marie. 

This extension pre-reading kit introduces students to important concepts such as

• the author Harper Lee
• the Jim Crow Laws
• southern women
• lynching and mobs
• Truman Capote
• and The Great Depression.

The activity is designed to be used as a station rotation activity with five stations.  Multiple versions of the stations have been included with varying degrees of higher-order thinking questions.  

The kit includes eight sources on the topics mentioned above and four higher-order thinking questions for each topic. Folder and a two-sided student answer sheet are also included. 

It also has a PowerPoint with times for the activities.

To Kill a Mockingbird while-reading activities

Another great way to keep students engaged is to use To Kill a Mockingbird activities while reading.  We have a bunch of resources and activities for teaching To Kill a Mockingbird .  

These resources include interactive notebooks, a body biography activity, chapter activities and quizzes, a psychiatric report, and a Crash Course Literature video worksheet bundle.

7. Interactive notebook

To start off the while-reading To Kill a Mockingbird activities, we have these interactive notebook activities by Tracee Orman.  

The bundle includes over 90 activities for before, during, and after reading. 

All of the activities are aligned to at least one Common Core State Standard for reading literature, language (vocabulary), speaking and listening, and writing.

There is also a teacher’s guide for how to do each of the activities.

This teacher-author also has a digital workbook version that includes the same activities but doesn’t require cutting out the different bits and pieces.  

8. Chapter activities for To Kill a Mockingbird

The second set of while-reading activities are these To Kill a Mockingbird chapter activities, also by Tracee Orman. 

The activity bundle includes activities and questions by chapter for To Kill a Mockingbird . Activities cover themes, the author, a review of Part One, and the end of the novel.

In total there are 37 different activities.  Some of the activities can also be adapted to other novels or short stories.

9. Psychiatric assessment of Boo

An interesting lesson for To Kill a Mockingbird is this lesson by Presto Plans.  Students complete the lesson after they have read the first six chapters of the novel.  

In the activity, students have to take on the role of a psychiatrist and use the information from the text to write up a ‘psychiatric report’ for Boo. They must use evidence from the novel to support their conclusions about Boo.

Students can also revisit the activity after reading the entire novel, as they often realize that many of their conclusions about Boo are based on town gossip.

The activity includes the students’ assignment worksheet, as well as an ‘answer key’ of quotes from chapters 1-6 that students could use to support their conclusions.

10. Body biographies

Another great set of activities to use are these body biography projects by Danielle Knight.  

Created as To Kill a Mockingbird group activities, these collaborative projects are posters that students work on together. 

There are 9 characters to choose from, and students need to use the skills of citing textual evidence, describing character traits, researching, and making inferences.  

Students (or you) can choose groups and the character they create a poster about.  Then students must answer reflection questions.

The project includes student handouts that explain each part of the project. Also included are teacher set-up directions, learning objectives/outcomes, background information, tips, and Common Core State Standards.  

11. Crash Course Literature video for To Kill a Mockingbird

Other great tools for teaching To Kill a Mockingbird are these worksheets (by me) to accompany the Crash Course Literature videos about the novel. (See here for the part one video and here for the part two video ).

I love using Crash Course videos in my lessons because they are fast-paced, interesting, rigorous, and funny. 

The presenter John Green (of The Fault in Their Stars fame) intersperses speaking with animation, quotes, and illustration to discuss To Kill a Mockingbird in an analytical way.

The videos (and worksheets) cover

• major plot points of the text
• the critical reception of the text
• biographical information about the author
• genre conventions the text uses
• themes such as what it means to be a woman. 

The To Kill a Mockingbird worksheets also cover

• the historical contexts of the text
• the protagonist’s viewpoint
• the characters Calpurnia and Atticus
• and the significance of the title.

These worksheets are a great way to help students by ‘guiding’ their notetaking, but also allowing them to take notes in their own way.  

Each worksheet has room for notes to be written or drawn, and students are encouraged to write a summary at the end.

There are also teacher notes for the Crash Course To Kill a Mockingbird videos included to help you identify content you may wish to cover in more detail with your class.

12. Chapter quizzes

Finally, the last while-reading activities for To Kill a Mockingbird are these chapter quizzes by Simply Novel.

These lessons for To Kill a Mockingbird chapter activities are quizzes including multiple-choice, short response, and true/false questions.  

The quizzes can either be printed or used as self-grading forms on Google Forms.  There is also an answer key supplied.

To Kill a Mockingbird after-reading activities

So, you’ve made it.  Wooh!  Your students have read To Kill a Mockingbird , and now you have to revise and assess their learning.

To help you out, we have a few after-reading activities for the novel , including

• a final test
• figurative language activities
• an essay writing To Kill a Mockingbird culminating activity
• a book vs movie sort
• a character analysis
• and chapter quizzes (which you could also do while reading, or use as a question bank for a final test).

13. Final test for To Kill a Mockingbird

The first after-reading activity we have is this final test from The Daring English Teacher. 

The final test includes questions about identifying characters and quotes, as well as multiple-choice, true or false, figurative language, and short response questions.   

14. Figurative language activity

Another lesson for To Kill a Mockingbird that would be fantastic after reading the novel is this figurative language activity by Creating for Learning. 

While it’s not a test, this activity is a great way to review figurative language in the context of the novel.

Students will need to analyze examples of figurative language from the novel. Then students decide if they are similes, metaphors, idioms, hyperbole, analogies, personification, puns, allusions, or symbols.  

In doing so, students will analyze idioms and compare their literal vs figurative meanings.  Students will also analyze quotes to decide whether they are similes or metaphors. 

Finally, students will analyze quotes, identify which figurative device is used, and explain its meaning.

This would be a great way to both review the novel and reinforce figurative language with your students.

15. To Kill a Mockingbird culminating activity – essay writing

A To Kill a Mockingbird culminating activity you might like to use is this essay writing task by Captivate Motivate Educate.

This culminating activity requires students to make connections among characters, main ideas, and concepts using a hexagonal thinking activity.  

After this, students write an essay explaining the main connections they have made.  

The activity includes a hexagonal template, detailed teacher and student directions, charts and templates, sample responses, sample essays, and a grading rubric.  

The hexagonal template that students use encourages students to make connections between the characters, motivations, events, conflicts, and themes in To Kill a Mockingbird .

16. Book vs movie sort

Another great after-reading lesson for To Kill a Mockingbird is this book vs movie sort activity from Clare’s Clapboard.

In the activity, students are given 20 cards with a statement.  However, the statements are true only for the book, only for the movie, or true for both.  

Students have to sort the cards into the correct category (true for the movie, true for the book, or true for both).  

This activity is great for those students who *may have not* read the whole book.  (Let’s be real, there’ll be a couple in every class!). 

And this activity will help those students differentiate the movie they *may have* watched from what actually happened in the book.

An answer key is provided.  

To Kill a Mockingbird whole-unit activities

Now, if you’ve made it this far, you might be after whole-unit bundles. 

Maybe you’ve run out of To Kill a Mockingbird teaching ideas after having it on your curriculum for years on end or maybe it’s your first time teaching it.

Perhaps you just don’t have the time.  (We all know that the planning and preparation time teachers are given is *not enough*).

With that in mind, here are four whole-unit bundles for Harper Lee’s classic novel.

These bundles filled with To Kill a Mockingbird activities and worksheets offer so much value because they give you back your time! 

17. To Kill a Mockingbird teaching unit by The Daring English Teacher

This bundle has in-unit differentiation and includes vocabulary, To Kill a Mockingbird writing activities and prompts, questions, quizzes, and much more.  

The bundle includes two historical context activities for To Kill a Mockingbird , with a choice between a group research project or a research paper with ESL support.

The vocabulary elements include 140 vocabulary words, six quizzes, and two activities for each quiz. They also include built-in differentiation for ESL students and struggling or younger readers.  

There are nine different Common Core State Standards-aligned writing assignments with two levels of differentiation, as well as reading comprehension quizzes.

Also included are review activities, character analysis graphic organizers, and a final test. There is also a choice of two Common Core State Standard-aligned essays with included outlines, graphic organizers, and ESL differentiation.

18. Whole unit bundle by Simply Novel

The second whole-unit bundle of lessons for To Kill a Mockingbird is this one by Simply Novel. 

The Google Classroom-friendly bundle includes a comprehensive study guide and covers many standards through reading and analysis of the novel and its themes.

The bundle includes informational texts about the history, social and political environment in which the story was written and set. 

They include an author study of Harper Lee, real-life connections to the novel, and discussion ideas and articles for approaching the “N-Word” in classic literature.

Informational texts also include topics such as:

• The Great Depression
• Plessy vs Ferguson and the Jim Crow Laws
• Thurgood Marshall’s “Equity Speech”
• the genre of realistic fiction
• the true story of Emmett Till
• the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s
• violence in the South
• Jim Crow Laws and legal segregation
• Hugo Black’s appointment to the Supreme Court in 1937
• African-American stereotypes in literature
• anticipation/reaction theme discussion
• Hey, Boo documentary analysis
• and The Central Park Five.

Also included are two vocabulary lists with and without definitions and a glossary of over 300 allusions and terms from the novel.

Similarly, it has a list of idioms/expressions from the novel and an article about dealing with grief and loss.

Students use literary analysis activities to . . .

Practice in-text analysis and close reading, focusing specifically on:

• flashback and plot
• dialect and slang
• characterization
• foreshadowing and prediction
• figurative language
• analyzing poetry
• informational text analysis
• analyzing rhetoric
• author’s style
• context clues
• connotation and word choice
• and theme in context.

The bundle also includes writing skills practice that helps students practice standards-based skills such as:

• writing vignettes
• writing with vivid language
• argument writing
• writing with objective styles
• mini-research project
• analyzing tone in writing
• informational text report
• shared writing project (blogging)
• and writing a literary analysis essay.

The bundle covers vocabulary standards skills including word analysis, context clues, word origins, word roots, and vocabulary in context.

It also covers punctuation and grammar topics such as semicolons and colons, hyphenation, independent and dependent clauses.

In the bundle, students practice using a thesaurus, differentiating between denotation and connotation, and try using context clues in complex writing.

Students also practice defining by contrast, identifying parallel structure, and interpreting figures of speech.

The bundle includes over 300 comprehension and analysis questions, reading quizzes for the whole novel, and vocabulary quizzes for the whole text.

There is a 35-question final test including multiple-choice and short-response questions, as well as a 50-question multiple-choice final test, and a sample pacing guide.

With an abundance of activities, the unit can be used both in-class and through digital platforms for distance learning.

19. To Kill a Mockingbird bundle by Stacey Lloyd

The To Kill a Mockingbird teaching unit is this one by Stacey Llyod.  This bundle includes five weeks of resources including lesson plans, chapter questions and answer keys, worksheets, graphic organizers, and more.

The bundle includes student workbooks with over 50 pages of activities, figurative language task cards, quotes posters, and revision task cards. 

It also comes with answer recording sheets and a full answer key.

20. To Kill a Mockingbird unit plan by Laura Randazzo

The final bundle is this one by Laura Randazzo.  It includes a day-by-day calendar with helpful details and nightly homework assignments and information for how to address the novel’s use of the n-word.

It also has a research organizer to help students research Harper Lee. You could do this to begin your study of To Kill a Mockingbird .

Or, you could begin teaching To Kill a Mockingbird with a dynamic lecture to introduce the important character, historical, and thematic elements of the novel. You could then follow it up with a quickwrite topic/discussion starter.

One-question quizzers encourage students to do the nightly reading assignments and questions for each chapter of the novel.

Close reading worksheets use sections of text from chapters 2, 9, 15, and 23.  Each chapter excerpt includes detailed examples of finished worksheets to show models of proper annotation and discussion starters.

The bundle also includes fun To Kill a Mockingbird activities such as a character cell phone activity, police report writing and sketch activity, a creative writing blackout poetry lesson, and a flyswatter review game.

Other activities include:

• a math/problem-solving lesson about a day in the life of the working poor
• a word worksheet vocabulary-building activity
• a non-fiction reading and writing activity connecting the case of the Scottsboro Boys to Tom Robinson
• a timeline review game/worksheet plotting 22 events from the text along a 1933-1935 timeline.

Assessment options included in the bundle are a 50-question end-of-unit exam and an essay topic sheet with five choices.

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