"The Scarlet Ibis" Lesson Plan

James Hurst’s poignant story “The Scarlet Ibis” has been a staple in English classrooms for years. Use this resource to review literary devices, focus on plot, characterization, and conflict, and more. This resource can be used as a stand-alone or part of a short stories unit.

Included are:
✺ Suggested lesson plan for pre, during, and post-reading
✺ Vocabulary - using context clues and vocabulary exercises
✺ Seven Key Focus Handouts:
⇝ Plot - two pages of reading comprehension questions and a plot diagram
⇝ Characterization - Provide examples of direct and indirect characterization. Argue if the narrator is static or dynamic.
⇝ Conflict - Review the four types of conflict and determine which is being used in each passage as well as its impact on the text
⇝ Figurative Language: Examine similes, metaphors, and personification
⇝ Imagery
⇝ Language: Examine tone, mood, and diction
⇝ Symbolism
⇝ Quotes
✺ Suggested answer key - Since many questions require students to provide textual evidence and their own analysis, these answers should be viewed as starting points.