| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | English |
| What age group | Year or Grade 11 |
| What topic | The Kite Runner |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To engage Year 11 students in a compelling exploration of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, focusing on themes of friendship, redemption, and the complexities of cultural identity.
Setting the Scene: Begin the lesson by inviting students to close their eyes and imagine they are standing in a vibrant marketplace in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the sunlight glistening off the golden kites flying above them. Encourage them to visualise the emotions tied to kites in their culture or childhood.
Pass the String: Hand a piece of string or yarn to the first student. Ask them to hold it tight and to consider what a kite represents: freedom, childhood innocence, or perhaps something more significant. Each student, after reflecting on these ideas, shares a word or a short phrase that connects their thoughts about kites to their own lives or any cultural context they can relate to.
Create a Collective Picture: As each student shares, have them toss the string to another student, forming a web of connections. This signifies the interconnectedness of their experiences, much like the relationships in The Kite Runner.
Transition to the Text: Once everyone has contributed, step back and point out how each of these ideas reflects the multifaceted nature of human experience—similar to the themes explored in The Kite Runner.
To deepen their engagement, ask students: "What are some personal ties you have to concepts such as loyalty, betrayal, or redemption—similar to Amir's journey in The Kite Runner?"
This warm-up not only introduces the symbolic significance of kites within the novel but also fosters a classroom environment of connection and openness, preparing students for a thoughtful discussion on the themes present in The Kite Runner.
The introductory activity serves as a springboard into reading and analysing The Kite Runner, ensuring that students are ready to investigate the text with personal connections and thematic explorations framing their understanding.
This approach will set an engaging tone and actively involve students right from the start, making the lesson both meaningful and memorable.