Loyalty and Legacy

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Book of Ruth

Duration: 36 minutes

Grade: 7th

Class Size: 20 students

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Learning Objectives

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

• Understand the historical and cultural context of the Book of Ruth.
• Identify and discuss key themes: loyalty and legacy.
• Analyze primary text excerpts with attention to character motivations.
• Use evidence from the text to support interpretations and discussions.

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Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts/Literacy

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
  Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.2
  Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.3
  Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1
  Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

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Materials Needed

• Copies of a brief, accessible excerpt from the Book of Ruth (preferably Ruth 1:1-18)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student notebooks or digital devices for note-taking
• Printed timeline of historical events during the period of the Judges
• Chart paper or digital projector for thematic brainstorming

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Opening & Anticipatory Set (5 minutes)

• Prompt: Start with a question on loyalty to activate prior knowledge:
  "Can you think of a time when someone showed loyalty to their family or friends? What did it look like?"
• Students share briefly in pairs, then volunteers share out loud.
• Connect their experiences to the upcoming exploration of loyalty in an ancient story.

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2. Historical Context Mini-Lecture with Visual Timeline (7 minutes)

• Present a concise overview of the setting around the time of the Book of Ruth (approximately 1100 BCE, during the period of the Judges):
  • Social and family structures
  • Challenges faced in Israel during this time
  • The significance of family legacy and loyalty
• Display a simple timeline on the board/projector to visualize the era.
• Use student-friendly language to connect today's concepts to that historical setting.

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3. Guided Reading & Annotation (10 minutes)

• Distribute the selected excerpt from Ruth 1:1-18 focusing on Naomi’s and Ruth’s loyalty.
• Model annotation on the board/projector: Identify expressions of loyalty and references to family legacy.
• Students read silently or in pairs and annotate their own copies/note-taking apps. Prompts for annotation:
  • “Highlight phrases that show loyalty.”
  • “Note any questions or surprising words.”

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4. Small Group Discussion (8 minutes)

• Divide the class into 4 groups of 5 students each.
• In groups, students discuss guided questions:
  1. How does Ruth show loyalty in this passage?
  2. Why is loyalty important to Naomi?
  3. How might loyalty shape someone’s legacy?
• Encourage students to cite text evidence.
• Teacher circulates to prompt deeper analysis and ensure all participate.

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5. Whole Class Share & Thematic Brainstorm (5 minutes)

• Groups share 1-2 insights with the class.
• Generate a thematic map on chart paper or projected: loyalty and legacy with student-generated examples from the text and from their own lives.
• Reinforce that these themes will be explored throughout the unit.

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6. Closing & Exit Ticket (1 minute)

• Students write a quick exit ticket answering:
  “Why do you think loyalty was especially important in ancient times, and how might it still be important today?”
• Collect to gauge understanding and inform future lessons.

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Differentiation and Engagement Tips

• For ELL students or struggling readers: Provide a glossary of key terms (legacy, loyalty, kinship, famine). Use paired reading to support comprehension.
• For advanced students: Challenge them to compare cultural values of loyalty in the Book of Ruth to modern-day examples or other historical texts.
• Engagement: Use storytelling tone and visuals to bring the ancient world alive. Incorporate short dramatizations or role-play in future lessons to expand engagement.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through annotations, group discussion contributions, and exit tickets.
• Evidence of citing textual support and connecting themes signals comprehension aligned with CCSS standards.

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This lesson plan intentionally scaffolds 7th graders from personal experience to textual analysis within the Common Core framework, fostering critical thinking about loyalty and legacy through the rich context of the Book of Ruth.