Teaching The Hunger Games

Pre-reading

• Discuss reality television shows, how they can be exploitive, and what they say about the participants and the viewers.
• Learn about wilderness survival with an internet scavenger hunt.
• Research dictatorships and oppressive regimes around the world.
• Look at other examples of post-apocalyptic film and literature.

Setting

• Students draw and label a detailed map of District 12.
• Students create a map of Panem.
• Students create a 3D map of Panem using anything from plasticine to pasta.
• Discuss and write about the atmosphere in The Hunger Games.  How does Collins set the tone and feel of District 12 and life there?

Plot

• Create a plot diagram for the novel.
• Use chapter questions to ensure comprehension.
• Use discussion questions to ensure students get the more subtle elements of the story.

Character

• Students create a character chart with descriptions of important characters in The Hunger Games.
• Create a collage of images and symbols that represent aspects of a character’s life and personality.
• Create music playlists for characters from The Hunger Games.  Include music that they might like and that represents aspects of their personality.
• Create a facebook page for one of the important characters from The Hunger Games.
• Create a twitter feed for one of the characters with tweets from various points in the story.
• Write a character sketch for one of the important characters.

Theme

• Create a theme collage with images and symbols representing one of the central messages in the text.
• Write theme statements for the novel.
• Write a post-card story that conveys a theme similar to one from The Hunger Games.
• Make connections between Panem and oppressive societies in our world today.

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