To Kill a Mockingbird #4: Collage – Outward Appearances and Inner Qualities

“It's not the color of your skin; it's the way people treat you that matters.” ~ William Stone

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about racial prejudice in the South in the 1950’s.  It confronts the question about color and race as seen primarily through the eyes of young children as racial tension builds in their small town community. 

Although the Civil Rights' leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Caesar Chavez fought valiantly to secure the rights of minority groups in the United States, racial prejudice is still alive, not just in the United States, but all around the world.  

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. “  ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have you ever made a judgment about a person based on the way they look, only to find out later you were completely wrong?  Unfortunately, it happens all the time. 

Paper Bag Collage

1.  Search through newspapers, magazines, photo albums, or online for pictures to symbolize aspects of your personality.  Do you like music?  You may like to include pictures of your favorite artists or a picture of your ipod.  Is your dog your best friend?  Include a picture of him!  You may also include small items as well.

2.  Sort your pictures and items into two piles:  those that represent aspects of your personalities that you often share with others and those that symbolize aspects that you  may not share often or at all with others.  Don’t worry!  You don’t need to disclose your deepest, darkest secrets - only share as much as they you comfortable.

3.  Using a paper grocery bag (or shoebox if that’s easier) place the items representing your outward personality traits on the outside of the bag; items representing your inner personality traits go inside the bag.

4.  When you’re finished, share your bag and its contents with Mr. Shelby and the class.  (If you’re uncomfortable sharing with the whole class, please talk to Mr. Shelby and arrange a smaller or more private settting).

When you’re finished, take a few minutes to reflect on what you  learned?  How did this activity help you think about prejudice and outward appearances?  Keep this in mind as we begin to read and explore Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

Works Cited

Prince William Network. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Then and Now: A Distance Learning Adventure. 1997. Oracle ThinkQuest. 1 April 2012. <http://library.thinkquest.org/12111/>.