Introduction Activities to Teach Leon's Story
Introducing a Novel That Chronicles a Sharecropping Family in 1940
Jun 1, 2009
Leon’s Story by Leon Walter Tillage {Sunburst Publishing, 2000] is a biographical novel, detailing the struggles of a sharecropping family in racist North Carolina in the 1940s. The story is told from Leon’s perspective. It tells of his family, the Tillages, who farmed on Mr. Johnson’s land. The family lived in a run-down house and never seemed to be able to get out of debt. Leon’s father was an honest God-fearing man who never considered the possibility that Mr. Johnson may have been cheating him. As the story continues, racism is exposed and the tragedies that nearly destroy the family become clear. Here are some activities to provide background knowledge about the racial problems in 1940s North Carolina that are the backdrop of Leon’s life story.
Building Historical Background Knowledge
Introduce this novel by having the students complete research to identify the unfair Jim Crow laws in place during that time. Have the students share their research with the class. Have them identify how these laws would have affected the quality of life for this sharecropping family and limited their legal recourse when problems arose.
Researching Important Historical Events
Have the students research “sit-ins”. Explain to the students that sit-ins take place in this story. Have the students complete a “think, pair, share” after their research is completed. Have them think about the information found during their research. Then have them pair with a partner and share their opinions of the causes and effects of the sit-ins.
Experiencing Different Points of View
Have the students read the first chapter, "Sharecropping", and record in their journals how they would have felt if they were this sharecropping family. Have the students tell if they would have done things the same way as this family. Why or why not? Have them identify what they would have done differently and why they think this would have been more successful?
Identifying Story Elements
Most stories have certain elements such as characters, setting, problem and solution, and plot. During the story a problem arises in the form of a tragedy. Have the students make predictions to tell what they think could be a problem this family experiences. Have the students tell how they think the problem can be solved.
Using this same information, the students can make predictions about how the family will change when this unknown change in plot causes a new problem for the family.
As the students read the novel Leon’s Story, they will have a chance to experience racism as it existed in 1940s North Carolina. Exploring this novel will give the students insight into some of the atrocities of racism and how anything can be overcome.
