Exploring Human Connections

Grade and Subject

Grade Level: 9th Grade
Subject: English
Text: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Curriculum Standards: California Common Core Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1: Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of the text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2: Determine a central theme and its development.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims using relevant evidence.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown vocabulary words.

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Lesson Duration

45 Minutes
Class Size: 15 students

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify key themes of love, loss, and human connection in The Fault in Our Stars.
2. Analyse a key quote from the text and discuss its significance to the overall theme.
3. Use new vocabulary words from the novel in their own writing.
4. Apply grammar rules to construct grammatically correct sentences inspired by the text.

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Keywords

1. Theme
2. Symbolism
3. Tragedy
4. Resilience
5. Metaphor

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Materials Needed

• Copies of The Fault in Our Stars
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes (2 per student)
• Student journals

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Methodology

1. Engage (10 minutes):
   Begin with a thought-provoking question: “What does it mean to truly connect with someone?” Facilitate a 5-minute discussion to allow students to share perspectives. Introduce the novel’s themes and explain how John Green explores the complexities of human connection.

2. Explore (15 minutes):

   • Direct Reading Activity: Choose a powerful excerpt where Hazel reflects on her relationship with Augustus (e.g., “You gave me a forever within the numbered days…”). Ask a volunteer to read aloud.
   • Discuss this passage as a class, focusing on themes of love and mortality. Write “Love,” “Loss,” and “Resilience” on the board, and have students connect the quote to these ideas.

3. Explain (10 minutes):

   • Vocabulary Activity: Introduce 5 challenging terms (e.g., oblivion, affliction, epiphany, eternity, and inevitable) from the excerpt.
   • Break students into pairs and assign each pair one word to define, use in a sentence, and relate to the novel.

4. Elaborate (5 minutes):

   • Hand out sticky notes. Ask each student to write 1 sentence summarising how they felt about the excerpt. Have students group their ideas on the board under categories (Themes/Emotions). Encourage dialogue about shared feelings.

5. Review and Conclude (5 minutes):

   • Summarise the class discussion and connect it to the broader lesson themes. Ask each student to identify one takeaway about human connection from today’s class.

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Activities Breakdown

Activity 1: Group Theme Summary (Critical Thinking)

• Prompt: After the discussion, in groups of 3, summarise one of the central themes (Love, Loss, or Resilience) in 2 sentences. Each group shares their summary with the class.

Objective: Reinforce text analysis skills and ensure participation across the group.

Activity 2: Vocabulary Application (Practical Use)

• Game-Based Challenge: Write the vocabulary words on the board. Give students scenarios from real life (e.g., How would you describe a happy/sad moment?) and have them work in pairs to use the words in new, creative contexts.

Objective: Boost retention of vocabulary through real-life application and creativity.

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Grammar-in-Context Focus

• Concept: Modal Verbs for Expressing Certainty and Possibility (e.g., “Hazel might feel hopeless, but Augustus reminds her she must appreciate the small moments.”)
• Activity: On their sticky note reflections, students will revise their sentences to include modal verbs to add more depth or emotion.

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Assignment

Provide a reflective writing prompt for homework:

• Hazel often refers to life as being filled with “infinite possibilities.” Write a one-page reflection discussing a time when you felt the possibilities in your life were limited—or infinite—and what you learned about yourself. Use at least 3 of the vocabulary words introduced today.

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Differentiation for Learning Needs

• Advanced Learners: Challenge these students to explore how Green uses symbolism (e.g., the cigarette metaphor) and have them discuss the deeper meaning in small groups.
• ESL Students: Provide visual representations for vocabulary words and grammatical structures introduced in the lesson. Pair them with bilingual partners for support.
• Struggling Readers/Writers: Pair these students with strong readers during collaborative activities. Offer sentence starters to help with vocabulary usage and grammar application.

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Teacher Reflection

Consider:

• Were students engaged in connecting the text to their own lives?
• Did they demonstrate understanding of themes during the discussions?
• Were the vocabulary activities effective in helping students learn new words?
• Could all students articulate their thoughts, or did any struggle with participating?

This detailed approach to teaching The Fault in Our Stars balances text analysis, vocabulary building, emotional connections, and grammar application to create an engaging, standards-aligned lesson perfect for 9th graders.