Incorporating literature into English language teaching (ELT) provides learners with more than just improved reading and comprehension skills. Through engaging with rich narratives, memorable characters, and diverse themes, students develop a deeper understanding of language in context. When combined with hands-on craft activities, this experience can be even more powerful, especially for younger learners or kinesthetic learners. Craft activities allow students to explore literature creatively, encouraging personal connections to the text and reinforcing language acquisition.
As both a high school and university student, I studied various literary classics, including Sophocles' Antigone, Shakespeare's Othello, and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. These texts offered complex themes and characters that sparked deep reflection and discussion. However, integrating arts and crafts into those lessons would have made the experience even more dynamic and engaging. In this article, we explore how to teach English through literature and arts by discussing the importance of this combination, suggesting practical craft activities, and demonstrating how these activities can reinforce English language skills.
Identifying Craft Activities for Literature Lessons
When integrating crafts into literature lessons, it’s important to choose age-appropriate activities that are directly linked to the text and designed to enhance language skills. The activities should not only reflect the themes of the literature but also allow students to interact meaningfully with the language.
Here are some examples of integrating crafts with literature to support language development:
- Character Masks (A2-B2 levels): After reading Othello, students can create masks representing characters like Othello, Iago, or Desdemona. This hands-on project encourages students to consider the characters’ emotions, motivations, and conflicts. While crafting the masks, students can discuss these traits, practicing descriptive vocabulary and improving speaking skills.
- Justice Scales (B1-B2 levels): In To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is a central theme. After reading key sections, students can create a model of justice scales. Each side can represent characters or themes of justice and injustice. This activity allows students to explain their choices, reinforcing critical thinking while developing language skills.
- Scene Dioramas (B1-B2 levels): After reading a significant scene from Antigone or To Kill a Mockingbird, students can build a diorama representing a key moment. For example, students could recreate the courtroom scene from To Kill a Mockingbird, discussing the setting, mood, and significance. This project allows practice with descriptive language and narrative exercises.
- Mock Newspaper Article (B1-B2 levels): For To Kill a Mockingbird, students can write and design a newspaper article reporting on Tom Robinson’s trial. They can summarize events, provide quotes, and even include interviews or editorials. This craft fosters writing skills, especially in reporting and summarizing, while encouraging creativity through design elements.
The Importance of Combining Literature and Crafts
Integrating literature with crafts offers numerous benefits for English learners, providing a multi-sensory approach that helps students engage more deeply. This method makes abstract themes tangible and encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Craft activities provide an expressive way for students to demonstrate their understanding. For example, while studying To Kill a Mockingbird, students encounter themes like racial injustice and morality. Craft projects, such as creating justice scales or character collages, allow students to process these themes personally and reflectively, while practicing language skills.
Furthermore, crafts accommodate various learning styles. Visual learners benefit from drawing or constructing literary themes, while kinesthetic learners engage through hands-on activities. Group projects promote communication and teamwork, essential components of language development. By using the target language in collaboration, students practice speaking and listening naturally.
Literature Activities that Support Language Development
Craft activities should be paired with more traditional literature activities to create a well-rounded lesson. Below are examples of literature-based activities that support language development and complement craft projects:
- Character Analysis (B1-B2 levels): Before creating a mask or collage, students complete a character analysis. For instance, when analyzing Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, they explore his moral beliefs, conflict approach, and community role. This exercise enhances vocabulary as students describe traits and characteristics.
- Plot Summaries (A2-B1 levels): After reading a short story or novel excerpt, students write a plot summary, developing narrative skills. To incorporate a craft, students can create a visual timeline, using drawings or magazine cut-outs to represent key events.
- Discussion Questions (B2-C1 levels): For advanced learners, discussion questions on themes such as justice in To Kill a Mockingbird or loyalty in Antigone can encourage in-depth conversation. Pairing these discussions with craft activities lets students apply discussion vocabulary in a creative context.
Reinforcing Language Skills Through Crafts
Each craft activity should target specific language skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, or comprehension. Here are ways to integrate language exercises into craft projects:
- Vocabulary Practice: Use vocabulary lists related to the literature during craft activities. For instance, when creating a diorama of To Kill a Mockingbird’s courtroom scene, students practice legal terms like "defendant," "verdict," and "justice."
- Comprehension Checks: Before a craft activity, ask comprehension questions. For example, students building a justice scale should first explain the symbolism of justice in To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Collaborative Language Use: Encourage group work in English during craft projects. This setup helps students practice instructions, negotiations, and descriptions, all vital language skills.
Conclusion
Combining literature and crafts in ELT provides a unique way to engage students while fostering language development. Craft activities make literature come alive, helping students connect with complex themes and characters tangibly and creatively. With the right mix of crafts and literature, students become creatively engaged while honing essential language skills.
Whether students are analyzing Othello, reflecting on To Kill a Mockingbird's injustices, or exploring Antigone's moral dilemmas, these literature-based activities offer countless opportunities for vocabulary building, critical thinking, and self-expression. By weaving crafts into literature lessons, teachers create memorable, multi-dimensional learning experiences that leave a lasting impact.
