aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 7
What topic	ELA - FEVER 1793
Quantity	1
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Engaging Lesson Starter: "A Journey Back in Time to Fever 1793"

Objective

To captivate students' interest in the historical novel Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson and to prepare them for a deeper exploration of the story's themes, characters, and context.

Materials Needed

• A large piece of butcher paper or a whiteboard
• Markers or colored chalk
• A selection of images (printed or projected) related to Philadelphia in 1793, yellow fever, and life during the time period

Lesson Starter Activity: "The Fever Timeline"

Step 1: Setting the Scene

Start the lesson by dimming the lights and playing a short, atmospheric audio clip of bustling 18th-century Philadelphia, including horse hooves, crowd chatter, and the sounds of nature. This will create a sense of immersion.

Step 2: Engage the Senses

Once the audio is finished, ask students to close their eyes and envision:

• The sights, sounds, and smells of Philadelphia in 1793.
• What daily life was like for a teenager their age during this time.
• How they would feel if yellow fever was sweeping through their city.

Step 3: Introduce the Theme

After a minute of quiet reflection, ask students to open their eyes and bring their focus back to the classroom. Then, write the following question on the board:

"What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in a city overrun by a deadly disease?"

Encourage students to share their thoughts briefly. Record their responses on butcher paper or a whiteboard, creating a visual mind map of their ideas.

Step 4: Visual Context

Next, display the selection of carefully curated images on a screen or hand them out as printed copies. Include:

• Pictures of 18th-century Philadelphia landmarks
• Illustrations of life in the period
• Visual representations of the impact of yellow fever

Step 5: Transition to the Novel

Conclude this engaging start by connecting the students' thoughts and the images to the novel Fever 1793. Briefly introduce the protagonist, Matilda, and her challenges during the epidemic.

Step 6: Set the Stage for Reading

Wrap up this introduction by stating that over the course of the lesson and upcoming weeks, students will navigate Matilda’s world, uncovering her story and understanding the historical context that shaped her experience. Mention that they will explore themes of resilience, loss, and community.

Conclusion

This lesson starter not only piques students' interest in Fever 1793 but also sets a powerful tone for exploring important historical and literary themes, engaging them both emotionally and intellectually.