Duration: 1 Hour
Grade Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will discuss key themes of identity and belonging in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. They will relate Margaret’s experiences to their own lives or the broader adolescent experience. Finally, they will explore how Judy Blume addresses personal growth, religion, and the challenges of fitting in.
Copies of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (students should have read the book in advance)
Discussion prompts printed or projected on the board
Chart paper or whiteboard for group notes
Markers
Sticky notes or journals for personal reflections
Index cards with assigned roles for lit circle groups
Ask: Begin with the open-ended question, “Margaret asks a lot of questions about who she is and where she belongs. Why do you think identity and belonging are so important to her?”
Say: Invite a few students to give a brief summary of the book, highlighting the key events that relate to Margaret’s struggles with identity (religion, puberty, friendships). Emphasize how these themes of identity and belonging shape her personal journey.
Do: Form groups (4-5 students per group). Students will work in small “lit circle” groups, with each member assigned a role. Use index cards to assign roles.
Discussion Director: Leads the group conversation and asks guiding questions.
Summarizer: Provides a short recap of the chapter/book and the key points relevant to the theme of identity.
Connector: Draws connections between Margaret’s experiences and real-world examples (from students’ lives or society).
Literary Luminary: Highlights key passages in the book that address identity and belonging, reading them aloud.
Illustrator (optional): Draws a quick sketch to represent Margaret’s feelings or a significant scene.
Say: Explain that each group will have 15-20 minutes to discuss the themes of identity and belonging, drawing from specific passages in the book.
Discussion Directors: Start the conversation by posing some or all of the following questions (project these on the board or provide them on handouts):
“How does Margaret struggle with her religious identity throughout the book? How does this affect her sense of belonging?”
“How do Margaret’s friendships influence her self-esteem and identity? Do you think she’s more herself with some friends than others?”
“How does puberty and the pressure to ‘grow up’ shape Margaret’s feelings about herself?”
“How does Margaret’s relationship with her parents contribute to her identity crisis?”
Literary Luminary: Share passages where Margaret talks about her confusion with religion or her desire to belong (e.g., her talks with God or her interaction with the “Pre-Teen Sensations”).
Summarizer: Recap each discussion point, ensuring all key elements are covered.
Connector: Invite group members to relate their personal experiences of identity, growing up, or feeling like they didn’t belong.
Illustrator: Share a sketch to depict a specific moment of struggle or triumph for Margaret.
Do: Each group will share a 2-3 minute summary of their discussion, with a focus on the most compelling points about identity and belonging.
Say: Encourage the Summarizer and Connector from each group to lead this presentation while the Literary Luminary can read a selected passage aloud.
Discuss: After each group presents, open the floor to a larger discussion. Ask follow-up questions.
“Did anyone else connect with Margaret’s struggles? How so?”
“How do you think Margaret’s identity issues might relate to kids today?”
“What role does society or peer pressure play in shaping how we see ourselves?”
Ask: Invite students to take 5-7 minutes to write a personal reflection based on the following prompts. This can be done in journals, on sticky notes, or even shared in small groups after writing.
“Describe a time when you felt unsure about who you were or where you fit in. How did you handle it?”
“If you could give Margaret advice about finding her identity or feeling like she belongs, what would you say?”
“Which of Margaret’s struggles felt most familiar to you, and why?”
Say: Summarize the main takeaways from the day’s discussion, emphasizing that Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is more than just a book about growing up—it’s a story about how we all question who we are at times and where we belong.
Say: Connect to students’ own experiences and remind them that everyone’s journey of identity is unique but universal at the same time.
Do: For an Exit Ticket, have students jot down one piece of advice they would give Margaret about how to embrace her identity and feel confident in who she is. Collect these as they leave the room.
Homework Assignment (Optional): Write a journal entry based on the prompt, “Imagine you could write a letter to Margaret from the future. What advice would you give her about faith, identity, and growing up? How would you encourage her to find her sense of belonging?”
Written by Rachel Jones
Education World Contributor
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