Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Reading Guide
California Common Core State Standards - English Language Arts
- RL.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- RL.9-10.10 By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9—10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9—10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Reading Guide
The Things Fall Apart Reading Journal is designed to guide students through Chinua Achebe's novel by prompting them to reflect on key themes, characters, and events as they read. Students will summarize chapters, identify key quotes, and analyze the differences and similarities between their lives and those of the characters. Each section encourages students to engage with the text through the "Window" and "Mirror" exercises, highlighting cultural differences and personal connections. The journal also includes reflection on significant quotes, offering opportunities to explore character traits and conflicts. In addition, students will investigate larger themes such as imperialism and the impact of cultural change. The resource culminates in an essay prompt that asks students to analyze the effects of imperialism on the Igbo culture and Okonkwo's life, using evidence from the text to support their arguments.