The Stonecutter Lesson Plans

Learners define and identify typical characteristics of a fairy tale using terms such as character, setting, illustrations, and plot. They familiarize themselves with different versions of fairy tales. They recognize the traits that make fairy tales universal.

Students discover the life and work of an American author, either Samuel Clemens or Louisa May Alcott. In this study of visual and written portraits lesson, students take a look at the authors through four different sources: a portrait, a stamp, an autobiographical writing, and a passage from a novel.

Students explore world geography by reading several books with their class. In this multicultural lesson, students read the books A Promise is a Promise, Arrow to the Sun and Bein' With You This Way. Students identify the characters and cultural differences between each story and illustrate pictures demonstrating their understanding.

Students travel the world. In this diversity lesson plan, students listen to folktales and legends from many cultures and discuss the similarities and differences among the cultures the stories originate from.

Students analyze the art of St. Catherine and Gothic Art. In this art analysis lesson, students read the biography of St. Catherine and read about the carving of the statue. Students complete a related statue art activity and carve their statue.

Students listen and respond to poems about rain. Then they review the continent of Asia and the country of Japan. They listen to a Japanese folktale about a peach boy. Next they listen to a story from Germany about musicians.

First graders listen to stories from different cultures. They participate in directed discussion, followed by a related art activity. They begin to develop a tolerance and appreciation for people from other cultures.

Students investigate Native American tribes through their stories.  For this cultural lesson, students read stories of the Inuit tribe and discuss the themes, people, and customs.  Students illustrate a picture of the Inuit tribe utilizing facts from the stories.

Students draw like an architect. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students research and draw several examples of different forms of architecture through societies, cultures and times, then present them to the class.

Learners write journals in response to the beginning of The Stone Cutter.  In this The Stone Cutter lesson, students discuss the opening of the book and the main character.  Learners look for connections with architecture in the first chapter and build vocabulary with a vocabulary handout.