Activist - A Story of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting: Teaching Guide | Ages 11 - 14
OVERVIEW
About The Book
On February 14, 2018, Valentine’s Day, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg lost
her two best friends in the now notorious school shooting at Marjory Stoneman
Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In all, seventeen people were gunned
down by the shooter, a student at the school. Survivors of that tragic day
vowed to rise up and fight for their right—and the right of kids everywhere—to
safety in their schools.
Activist Interview Videos
About The Author
LESSONS
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions
1. Define “activist.”
What qualities categorize a person as an activist?
2. Based on the title, where is the setting? What do you think
this story will be about?
3. How does this topic affect you or our society?
4. How would you console someone in a difficult situation?
5. How do the illustrations help the reader understand the emotional impact this event had on those involved? How did the illustrations impact you?
6. How do you seek support if you or someone you know is going through a difficult time?
7. What did Lauren do to make a difference? Analyze her situation, and discuss how she responded to this tragedy.
8. What protocol is in place for your school in the event of a tragedy? Do you feel that you are safe at school? What could make school even safer?
9. We can never know how we would respond to tragedy until we are
faced with it. Explain why emotional events change you and your outlook on
life. Do you have support of friends or family? Do you have support in the
community? Who do you reach out to when you are feeling scared? Unsure? Alone?
Are you someone people reach out to?
10. Often people do not get involved in something they
are passionate about until it directly impacts them or those close to them.
What are you passionate about? How can you get involved and make a change
before something tragic happens?
Writing Prompts
1. Narrative (tells a story that is fact or fiction): Tell about a time that you, or someone you know experienced a tragedy that you feel could have been prevented.
2. Expository (explain or inform the subject): Research school shootings. Where do they take place, when do they happen, what steps are taken to protect students in schools. What protocol was in place prior to the tragic event, and what was incorporated after.
3. Persuasive (states the opinion of the writer and attempts to influence the reader): Research a topic that is meaningful to you (ex: gun laws, school safety and security, environmental issues, social or human rights issues, animal rights, etc.). Write a letter to a school official, politician, or community leader. Using facts and details, explain your side of the issue. Be sure to cite evidence that supports your point of view and suggestions for how change will impact society for the better.
4. Descriptive (uses the five senses, specific details and imagery to paint a picture): Choose a picture or page from the graphic novel. Write as many details as you can from the illustration. Analyze facial expressions, colors used in the pictures, details of the setting and other types of symbolism used by the illustrator. How do these factors allow the illustrator to convey a message? What impact do these choices have on the thoughts and feelings of the reader? Now write a paragraph using sensory details. Be sure to give details that help the reader visualize your story. Use diction to show, don’t tell.
Extension Activities
1. In this novel, Lauren Elizabeth Hogg created a movement. Her message #NeverAgain, and #MarchForOurLives was conveyed all over the country. What message would you want to send? Create a poster, bumper sticker, hashtag, etc. Now imagine you are introducing this message live through social media. Write a short paragraph to share your message with the world. What would you say? Why would people want to hear it? What will it change in the world? How can people relate and connect with your movement?
2. Often people feel they do not have help when they need it. They don’t know where to go or to whom to reach out for help. Research hotlines, websites, hospitals, counselors and community outreach programs in your area. Create a poster, brochure or flyer of resources for various issues such as suicide prevention, bullying, depression, anger management, anxiety, or any other struggle people may experience.
3. Using technology, create a brief commercial about school safety. In your commercial, speak to the students of your school. Some examples of what to include: ways to stay safe, where to hide, when to hide, when to fight back, when to report suspicious behavior, how to report suspicious behavior, who to report it to, specific people in your school who can help, etc.
4. In the novel, refer to “Take 5!” on page 81. Rebecca Boldrick Hogg has been a public school teacher for 30 years. She is the mother of Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting survivors and activists David and Lauren Hogg. She created five take-aways for parents about activism. What five take-aways would you write for students about activism. Create a page in a similar format to page 81.
5. Lauren Elizabeth Hogg wrote the novel, Activist, to share her story. What would your story be? What would it be called? What message would you share with the world? Create an outline for your novel. What events would be included? Create a few significant illustrations or slides for your novel. Explore how color and details convey a message that is powerful even when no words exist. Be creative.
Novel Ties
Before you read
1. Why has this text been written?
2. What is the
topic and author’s purpose of this text?
3. What is your
first reaction to this text just by looking at it?
4. What prior
knowledge do you have on the topic from media, classroom discussions, personal
experience?
During reading
5. Make connections to the text such as text-to-text, text-to-self, text-to-world.
6. Identify an
emotion felt while reading. How do your emotions change throughout the story?
Cite specific examples from the novel.
7. How do the
illustrations support the tone? Cite specific examples.
8. Analyze
Elizabeth’s point of view. How does it change throughout the text? Cite
specific examples.
9. How can you
relate to Lauren? Use specific examples from your life, and how they apply to Lauren’s
story.
10. At what point
in the story would you give Lauren encouragement? What would you tell her? As a
new character in this story, what would your actions do to add or change this
story by inserting your encouragement? Would this be a positive change, or
would your encouragement guide her in a different direction?
After reading
11. How have your thoughts about this novel changed after reading it? Refer to question 3.
12. What specific
moment in the novel helped Lauren become an activist as opposed to a victim?
13. After reading
this novel, if you could speak to Lauren what would you ask her?
14. How does the
use of symbolism throughout the novel help you better understand Lauren’s emotions?
This could be found in the words, or illustrations. Be specific and include
page numbers and details.
15. If you could
create a graphic novel about your life, what would it be called? What would it
be about? How would it help others? Why do you think Lauren titled her book,
“Activist”?
Comprehension Test
1. Who is Lauren Elizabeth Hogg? What is she best known for?
4. How does the tone of the story change throughout the text? Provide evidence to support the author’s tone.
5. Why was Lauren’s life changed forever in a negative and positive way? Provide specific examples to support your response.
6. Describe the relationship between Lauren and her brother. How does this relationship impact the plot?
7. Social media played a key role in spreading Lauren’s message. In your own words, describe the impact social media had on this movement.
8. Identify the theme. How does this theme support the message Lauren is sharing through her activism?
9. Identify a conflict in this story. Use text evidence to explain how this conflict affects the outcome of this story.
10. Choose a quote from the story. What emotion was evoked from this quote? Create a simile or metaphor to illustrate the emotion.
11. What is the author’s purpose in writing this novel?
12. Through this tragedy, what lesson did Lauren learn? How will this impact her life moving forward? How will her actions help others moving forward?
13. Explain the actions of Lauren’s mom when Lauren was young. How did this influence Lauren?
14. Describe the lesson Lauren learned from her brother. How did this lesson come back as a significant moment in her survival?
15. At what moment in the story does Lauren decide that something needs to change? Describe that moment and the actions she took.
16. How did Lauren’s social media impact the actions she took next?
17. There are many similes in this story. Choose a simile and explain what it means, and how it impacts the tone.
18. When the alarm went off at school, why was that odd for the students? Explain the feeling you have when the alarm sounds at school. How does that compare to Lauren’s reaction?
19. Why did the students believe this was a drill at first? How did the rumor impact their reactions to the alarm?
20. What is one lesson you took from this story? How will this lesson impact your life moving forward? Be specific and use details from the text.
For Further Reading
Related Articles
Click - A Story Of Cyber Bullying: Teaching Guide | Ages 11 - 14
OVERVIEW Title Trailer About the Book Lexi Philips is a confident, talented girl just entering middle school when a misunderstanding during a volleyball match leads to the loss of her friends, and to them relentlessly bullying her via social media. ...Mend - A Story of Divorce: Teaching Guide | Ages 11 - 14
OVERVIEW Dear Educator, The ideas and activities provided are designed as independent resources and are not a comprehensive program with prioritized activities. Teachers can select and use what activity best suits their classroom, grade level, ...Imperfect - A Story Of Body Image: Teaching Guide | Ages 11 - 14
OVERVIEW Title Trailer About the Book “I shouldn’t be writing these words at all . . . I shouldn’t even be here. But by the grace of Allah (God) I am here. And alive to tell my story . . .” Being perfect all the time was exhausting for young Dounya. ...After the Spring: Reading and Teaching Guide | Ages 16 - 18
OVERVIEW A Graphic Novel of Politics… and People What happens when a revolution fails? That’s the question at the center of Hélène Aldeguer’s sophisticated and award-winning After the Spring. And while it’s a text rich in history, politics, ...Kid Beowulf - The Song of Roland: Reading and Teaching Guide | Ages 8 - 11
OVERVIEW STORY SYNOPSIS Beowulf and Grendel are banished from their homeland and seek refuge with their Uncle Ogier in fair Francia. But by the time they arrive, the kingdom is in shambles! King Charlemagne is ailing, his knights are exile, and ...