Sharon Draper’s Blended in the Classroom

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Sharon Draper’s Blended is an incredible book that should be read and discussed by high school students. It centers around Isabella Johnson, a teenage girl who is struggling to find her identity as she navigates the difficult terrain of growing up in an interracial family. In this post, we’ll explore why Blended is such an important work of literature and how it can be taught effectively in the classroom.

Themes
There are many themes that students can explore when discussing Blended. Issues like identity, race, gender roles, and family dynamics are all explored in detail throughout the novel. Additionally, there are also discussions about friendships between teens and how those relationships can help shape one’s sense of self. These topics provide plenty of material for class discussions and debates.

Teaching Strategies
When teaching Sharon Draper’s Blended in the classroom, teachers should strive to create a safe space for students to discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. This can be achieved through activities such as group discussion or roleplay scenarios based on situations described in the book. Additionally, teachers should use activities that get students actively engaged with the material such as writing assignments or creative projects related to the text.

Integrate the Book into Writing Assignments
Blended is a great book to use when teaching writing. Ask your students to write an essay or short story about a time when they felt overwhelmed by life or had difficulty overcoming an obstacle. This will help them compare their own life experiences with those of Isabella and her family. You could also challenge your students to create their own version of Blended by having them write from the point of view of one of the characters other than Isabella.

Encourage Discussions About Diversity
Sharon Draper’s Blended is about two different families coming together and learning to appreciate each other’s differences. Ask your students how Isabella’s blended family provided her with different perspectives on life and how it has shaped her as an individual. This can lead to conversations about diversity and acceptance, which will help your students become more aware of their own biases and ways they can better understand people who are different from themselves. Another great topic for discussion is bullying and its effects on young people. In Blended, Isabella experiences bullying from both her peers and even some adults in her life. This provides teachers with a unique opportunity to talk about this issue from an honest perspective.

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Create Group Projects That Incorporate Technology The main character in Blended relies heavily on technology, so you could assign projects that require your students to use technology in creative ways. For example, assign groups of students to create a multimedia project depicting one scene from the book or have them design a website featuring information related to the themes explored in Blended such as blended families or cyberbullying. This will allow them to explore these topics while also using technology skills such as coding, graphic design, and video editing.

Create an Engaging Environment
When teaching any book, it is important to create an open and engaging environment that encourages active learning. This is especially true when teaching a book like Blended which deals with sensitive topics such as identity and family. Try having students sit in a circle rather than rows to encourage dialogue during class discussions. You can also have them use name tags or write their names on sticky notes so they can get to know each other better. Additionally, try incorporating collaborative activities such as group projects into your classroom experience.

Connect Blended to Students’ Experiences
Blended speaks powerfully about identity and navigating different cultures, which makes it perfect for connecting to students’ own experiences in the classroom. Ask them questions about their own identities and backgrounds, then tie those conversations back into what Isabella goes through in Blended. This will help reinforce key themes from the novel while also providing an opportunity for students to express themselves without judgement from others.

Overall, Blended by Sharon Draper is a powerful work of literature that provides insight into the struggles faced by teenagers today. By creating a safe environment within their classrooms where students can express themselves openly and honestly, educators can help their students gain a greater understanding of these themes while also nurturing essential skills like critical thinking and empathy towards others. With this knowledge, teachers can empower young minds with important lessons about life that will stay with them long after they have finished reading the book!