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Heroes, Friends, and Villains: “The Wizard of Oz” Book Talk

Grade Level: Fourth Grade
Subject: English Language Arts
Duration: 60 Minutes

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will identify and describe the main characters in The Wizard of Oz and their roles in the story. They should analyze the themes of friendship, courage, and heroism in the book. They will compare and contrast heroes, friends, and villains in the story. They should participate in a collaborative book talk to share interpretations and insights.

Materials Needed

  • Copies or excerpts of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

  • Character name cards (Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch, Glinda)

  • Chart paper or whiteboard

  • Markers

  • A visual timeline of the story’s key events

Lesson Plan Outline

1. Engagement Activity: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” (10 Minutes)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and build excitement about the book.

Do: Start with a short quiz or trivia game about The Wizard of Oz. Questions could include:

  • “Who are Dorothy’s three companions?”

  • “What does each character want to find?”

  • “What is the name of the land Dorothy travels to?”

Do: Show a visual of the Yellow Brick Road and ask students to imagine they’re on a journey with Dorothy.

Ask: “What makes a hero?” “Who do you think are the heroes, friends, and villains in this story?”

2. Instruction and Demonstration: Character Exploration (20 Minutes)

Objective: Build an understanding of the characters and their significance in the story.

Do: Introduce the main characters:

  • Dorothy: A brave girl seeking her way home.

  • Scarecrow: Wants a brain to become wise.

  • Tin Man: Seeks a heart to feel emotions.

  • Cowardly Lion: Desires courage to face fears.

  • Glinda: A kind witch who helps Dorothy.

  • Wicked Witch: Represents obstacles and evil.

 

Discuss: Talk about the roles these characters take on, including the following:

  • Heroes: Dorothy and her companions.

  • Friends: How the characters support one another.

  • Villains: The Wicked Witch and her minions.

Do: Demonstrate with visuals. Use a story timeline to highlight key events where these characters show friendship, courage, and heroism.

Ask: “What do you think makes Dorothy a hero?” “How do her friends help her on her journey?” “What motivates the Wicked Witch to stop Dorothy?”

3. Guided Practice: Character Perspectives (15 Minutes)

Objective: Reinforce understanding by exploring character motivations and perspectives.

Do: Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a character (e.g., Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, etc.). Let the groups discuss their character’s goals, challenges, and how they contribute to the story. Have each group share their findings with the class.

Discuss: Create a class chart with columns for each character. The chart should include the following:

  • Name

  • Goal

  • Challenges

  • How they show friendship or heroism

Ask: “What challenges does your character face, and how do they overcome them?” “How does your character’s journey help Dorothy achieve her goal?”

4. Independent Practice: Heroes vs. Villains Comparison (10 Minutes)

Objective: Develop critical thinking skills by comparing and contrasting story elements.

Do: Have students create a Venn diagram comparing Dorothy and the Wicked Witch.

  • Left circle: Traits of Dorothy (e.g., kind, brave).

  • Right circle: Traits of the Wicked Witch (e.g., selfish, mean).

  • Middle section: Shared traits or characteristics (e.g., determined, influential).

Ask: “How are heroes and villains similar? How are they different?” “Why do you think Dorothy’s traits help her succeed?”

5. Reflection and Wrap-Up: “If I Were in Oz” Book Talk (10 Minutes)

Objective: Summarize learning and encourage personal connections to the story.

Do: Facilitate a short book talk where students discuss their favorite parts of the story, their favorite characters, and what they would do if they were in Dorothy’s shoes.

Discuss: If the students were on Dorothy’s journey, what would they ask the Wizard for? Talk about what lesson the class thinks Dorothy learns by the end of the story.

Ask: “Why do you think The Wizard of Oz is still a popular story today?” “What can we learn about friendship and courage from this book?”

Differentiation Strategies For Advanced Learners:

  • Assign them a creative writing task to rewrite a scene from the perspective of the Wicked Witch or another character.

  • Have them research the historical context of The Wizard of Oz and present their findings.

Assessment

  1. Observe participation in group discussions and the class chart activity.

  2. Evaluate the Venn diagrams for understanding of heroes and villains.

  3. Assess contributions to the book talk for comprehension and personal engagement.

Written by Rachel Jones
Education World Contributor
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