The Bean Trees Lesson Plan

Desert Rainstorms

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will study Kingsolver's descriptions of the desert and use the inspiration to write their own poems imagining the first summer rain in a desert.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.5

Structure:

Some of the most beautiful language in the novel comes in Kingsolver's descriptions of the desert during the first rainstorm of the summer. Select one excerpt from this chapter to read aloud, asking students to listen while making note of particularly striking imagery or word choice. What do students who have experienced a desert rainstorm in real life picture...