Their Eyes Were Watching God Lesson Plan

Maslow and Janie

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will be able to understand Janie's character development through a famous pyschological theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3

Structure:

Split students into groups and ask if anyone is familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Review the concept with them. A good guide can be found here. Ask students if it reminds them of any part of the book—for example, the part where Janie curses Nanny for imposing her wishes on her with Logan Killicks, only to understand that rather than looking for love and belonging, Nanny wants safety and security.

Using...