Shank's Stuff

This WebQuest has students research various dictators (moving from most well-known to dictators in modern history and Latin America), Trujillo's rise to power, and the impact of the Mirabal sisters as we read In the Time of the Butterflies.

One of the best pieces to supplement reading In the Time of the Butterflies is Julia Alvaraz's essay called Chasing Butterflies which explains her passion for the Mirabal sister's story. Here is a background on Alvaraz, the entirety of Chasing Butterflies, and links to the original Time Magazine article she references in the essay. Excellent primary sources to support student understanding.

These two assignments have students evaluate mental illness in the 1930s as well as assume the role of psychologists to diagnose Boo Radley based on his behaviors in the novel.

This activity challenges students to act as a psychologist, assessing Boo Radley, and to come to a final diagnosis based on material from the book, as well as predicted behaviors.

After the novel, this list of projects is a great way to have students show their knowledge of the novel.

After reading, this assignment has students write and support theme theories in the novel.

After the novel, have the students analyze the role of Nick as the narrator. Is he reliable?

Here's an easy way to chart color within the novel. Have students work in groups to find all the instances of that particular color from Chapters 1-6. Then analyze the symbolic representation.