Number the Stars is a children’s novel written by Lois Lowry that tells the story of a young girl named Annemarie Johansen living in Denmark during the Second World War. In this book, Lowry masterfully blends together elements of history with a fictional plot that captures the imagination of readers of all ages. One of the unique features of the book is that it raises many thought-provoking questions about the war, racism, and the power of human connections. Because of this, it makes for an excellent teaching tool, and the journal prompts below will help young readers engage with the text at a deeper level.
These Number the Stars journal prompts are designed to encourage critical thinking, self-reflection, and imagination. They help readers dive into the text and explore the themes, characters, and plot in greater detail. While the prompts are aimed at young readers, they can be used by anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of this classic work of historical fiction. By using these prompts, readers can explore their own experiences, emotions, and reactions to the story and connect with the text in a more profound way.
Historical Fiction Writing Prompts
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you know that reading and writing in this genre can be a fascinating journey into the past. As a teacher, you can encourage your students to explore historical fiction by providing them with prompts that will help them imagine and write stories set in different times and places. Below are 15 historical fiction writing prompts that can inspire your students:
- Write a story about a young enslaved person who escapes to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
- Imagine you are living during the Middle Ages and write about a day in the life of a squire.
- Write a story about a young girl who witnesses the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
- Imagine you are a sailor on a ship during the Age of Exploration and write about your adventures.
- Write a story about a family of immigrants who arrive in the United States during the Ellis Island era.
- Imagine you are a soldier in World War I and write about your experiences in the trenches.
- Write a story about a girl who is growing up during the Great Depression.
- Imagine you are a gladiator in ancient Rome and write about your battles in the arena.
- Write a story about a young boy who sails with Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas.
- Imagine you are a Native American living in the Great Plains region and write about your daily life.
- Write a story about a group of settlers traveling in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail.
- Imagine you are a samurai in feudal Japan and write about your training and battles.
- Write a story about a boy who becomes a cabin boy on a whaling ship in the 1800s.
- Imagine you are a young Victorian girl and write about your life during the reign of Queen Victoria.
- Write a story about a group of soldiers who fight in the Civil War.
By using these prompts, your students can explore different time periods and historical events, and develop their creativity and writing skills. Encourage them to do research to make their stories more accurate, and to explore different perspectives and emotions. Historical fiction can be a powerful tool for understanding history and human experiences, and your students can learn a lot from this genre.
So, give your students the opportunity to travel through time and space with these prompts, and see what stories they can create!
Journal Prompts for Elementary Students: Number the Stars
Writing a journal is an excellent way to encourage and improve a child’s critical thinking, creativity, and expression. Number the Stars is a historical novel written by Lois Lowry. The story revolves around the life of a ten-year-old girl named Annemarie Johansen, her family, and friends during the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II. Below are 15 journal prompts related to the story:
- How would you describe Annemarie’s character? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.
- Imagine you are Annemarie. How would you feel if you were in her shoes faced with different situations in the story?
- Would you have been brave enough to help Jews like Annemarie and her family? Why or why not?
- Do you think it’s important to stand up for what you believe is right, even when it’s risky? Why or why not?
- Do you think Mama’s decision to pretend Ellen was part of their family was a wise one? Why or why not?
- What did you learn about the Nazis and what they did to the Jewish people from the book?
- Who was your favorite character in the novel? Why?
- What was the most surprising or shocking part of the story for you? Why?
- What was the importance of the title “Number the Stars”?
- Why do you think the author chose Denmark as the setting of the story?
- What do you think happened to the characters after the story ended?
- How would you describe the friendship between Annemarie and Ellen? Why was it special?
- What do you think can be done to prevent discrimination and prejudice?
- What did you like most about the book? Why?
- Would you recommend the book to others? Why or why not?
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and opinions freely in their journal. Remind them that there are no right or wrong answers to these prompts, and encourage them to think critically and creatively.
By writing in their journal, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the themes and lessons in the story while improving their writing skills.
Character Analysis Journal Prompts
Journaling is an excellent way for students to analyze characters, understand their behaviors, examine their relationships, and describe their traits. In this article, you will find 15 character analysis journal prompts that you can use with your students while reading Number the Stars. These prompts are designed to encourage students to think critically, make inferences, and explain their responses.
- Describe Annemarie’s personality and how it changes throughout the story.
- What motivates Annemarie to help Ellen and her family? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
- Compare and contrast Annemarie’s and Ellen’s personalities. How are they similar and different?
- What is Mrs. Johansen’s role in the story? How does she contribute to the plot and to the development of other characters?
- Describe Mr. Johansen’s personality and the relationship he has with his family. How does he react to the events in the story?
- Discuss the friendship between Annemarie and Kirsti. How does their relationship change throughout the story?
- Explain the significance of Peter’s character in the story. What impact does he have on Annemarie and the events that unfold?
- What do you think motivates the other characters to help the Danish Jews? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
- Choose a character in the story and describe their flaws. How do these character flaws contribute to the story?
- What do you think motivates the German soldiers to capture the Jews? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
- Describe the character traits of Henrik. How does he contribute to the rescue of the Danish Jews?
- What is the role of Uncle Henrik in the story? How does he support the Johansen family?
- What do you think motivates the resistance fighters in the story? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
- Choose a character in the story and describe the impact they have on the plot.
- What do you think motivates Annemarie’s parents to help the Jewish refugees? Provide textual evidence to support your answer.
By using these prompts, you can encourage your students to think deeply about the characters in Number the Stars. They will be able to analyze character traits and motivations, consider the impacts that characters have on the plot, and explain their reasoning using textual evidence. Through these prompts, you can help your students develop their critical thinking skills and improve their ability to analyze literature.
Remember, journaling prompts are only a starting point. Encourage your students to delve deeper into the text and make connections between the characters and their own lives. By doing so, students will not only improve their reading comprehension but also gain insights into themselves and the world around them.
Questions for Number the Stars Discussion: Number 4 Prompts
The following are 15 journal prompts that can be used to spark discussion about Number the Stars:
- How do you think Annemarie’s experience as Ellen’s friend might be different if they were both Americans living in the United States?
- Why do you think the author chose to have Annemarie and Ellen be close friends instead of strangers?
- In what ways does Annemarie’s relationship with Ellen differ from her other friendships?
- How does Annemarie’s friendship with Ellen change throughout the course of the novel?
- What do you think makes Annemarie such a good friend to Ellen?
- Why do you think Ellen’s parents decide to send her away to live with the Johanssens?
- How might Ellen’s life have been different if she had not been Jewish?
- What do you think motivates the Johanssens to risk their own safety to help Ellen and her family?
- How does Annemarie’s mother feel about the risk that the family is taking to help Ellen and her family?
- What do you think motivates Annemarie’s mother to help others, even at great personal risk?
- What role do you think religion plays in the novel?
- Why do you think the author includes the scene where the Nazi soldiers stop the Johanssen family on the street?
- What do you think would have happened if the Johanssens had been caught helping Ellen and her family?
- How do you think Annemarie’s life might be different if she had never met Ellen?
- In what ways is Number the Stars a story about bravery and courage?
These prompts can be used to inspire thoughtful discussions and reflections about the themes and characters in Number the Stars, as well as to encourage critical thinking and analysis. They help readers develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its meaning, and can be a valuable tool for teachers and readers of all ages.
By exploring these prompts, readers can gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of the characters, as well as explore the historical context in which the novel is set.
Writing Prompts About Courage
Courage is one of the most significant themes in Lois Lowry’s novel, Number the Stars. Through the experiences of the characters in the book, we learn about the importance of being brave in the face of fear. Writing prompts about courage can inspire students to think about what it means to be courageous, how to display acts of courage, and how courage can impact their lives. Here are fifteen examples of writing prompts about courage that you can use to engage your students:
- What does courage mean to you? How does this compare with the definition presented in the novel?
- What is the bravest thing you have ever done? How did it make you feel?
- Have you ever faced a fear? What did you do to overcome it?
- Think of a time when you felt scared and unsure. How did you show courage in that situation?
- If you were in Annemarie’s shoes, what would you have done differently? Do you think you would have had the courage to act as she did?
- Describe a time when someone you know showed courage. What did you learn from them?
- Write a first-person account of what it would be like to live in a time of war. How would you find the courage to keep going?
- How does courage differ from bravery? Can someone be brave but not courageous?
- What are some examples of everyday acts of courage? How do these small acts add up to make a big difference?
- Think about someone you admire who displays courage. Describe what makes this person courageous.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? How could this superpower be used to display courage?
- What is the role of fear in courage? Can someone be courageous without feeling any fear?
- Write a letter to someone who has shown courage. Describe how their bravery has impacted you or others.
- What are some consequences of not showing courage in a difficult situation?
- How do the characters in Number the Stars show different kinds of courage? Which character do you admire the most and why?
Writing prompts about courage can help students understand the importance of standing up for what they believe in, even when it is difficult. These prompts can also help students think about how they can use their own courage to make a positive impact on the world around them. Encourage your students to think deeply about their responses to these prompts and to share their ideas with others. Who knows, their stories of courage might just inspire someone else to be brave.
Remember, courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to act despite it. By exploring this theme in their writing, students can learn to be more resilient, more empathetic, and more courageous in their own lives.
Journal Prompts About World War II: Number 6
Write about the role of propaganda during World War II. How did it influence public opinion and support for the war?
- What was the purpose of propaganda during World War II?
- What were some of the most common types of propaganda used during World War II?
- How did propaganda help shape public opinion about the war?
- What were some of the messages that were commonly conveyed through propaganda during World War II?
- How did propaganda help to secure support for the war effort?
- What were some of the psychological tactics used in propaganda during World War II?
- How effective was propaganda in convincing people to support the war effort?
- What role did propaganda play in shaping the way people viewed the enemy?
- How did propaganda help to unify the US and its allies?
- What impact did propaganda have on the home front during World War II?
- What role did the media play in spreading propaganda messages during World War II?
- What were some of the unintended consequences of propaganda during World War II?
- How did propaganda affect the way future wars were fought?
- Did propaganda serve as an effective tool for achieving victory in the war?
- How has the role of propaganda changed since World War II?
Propaganda played a powerful role during World War II in shaping public opinion and support for the war effort. Through a range of mediums, including films, posters, and news articles, messages were conveyed that sought to inspire patriotism and a desire to fight for one’s country. The use of imagery and language was often highly emotive, playing on people’s fears and aspirations. By tapping into people’s emotions in this way, propaganda helped to unify the US and its allies, and secure their support for the war effort.
However, the use of propaganda was not without its unintended consequences. Some messages were misleading or inaccurate, leading to misunderstandings and mistrust. Propaganda messages also perpetuated negative stereotypes about the enemy, and in some cases, dehumanized them. In this way, propaganda contributed to a climate of intolerance and division that would ultimately have consequences long after the war ended.
Theme Analysis Journal Prompts: #7 Character Motivations
One essential element of analyzing the theme of a story is understanding the motivations behind the characters’ actions. In Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, the characters are driven by various motivations that affect the theme of the story. The following are some journal prompts to explore the significance of character motivations in the novel:
- What motivates Annemarie to risk her life to save Ellen?
- What motivates the resistance fighters to help the Jewish people escape from Denmark?
- What motivates Uncle Henrik to risk his own safety by hiding the Jewish people?
- How does Mrs. Johansen’s motivation to protect her family affect the course of the story?
- What motivates the German soldiers to hunt down and capture the Jewish people in Denmark?
- How does Ellen’s motivation to survive affect her relationship with Annemarie and her family?
- What motivates Peter to become a resistance fighter?
- How do the motivations of the various characters contribute to the overall theme of the story?
- How do the characters’ motivations change over the course of the story?
- What motivates the Nazis to create such a brutal and oppressive regime?
- How do the motivations of the characters reflect the larger political and historical context of the story?
- What motivates the characters to take risks and make sacrifices for others?
- How do the various characters’ motivations reveal their personalities and values?
- What motivates Annemarie’s parents to choose to resist the Nazi regime in their own way?
- How do the characters’ motivations illustrate the different ways people respond to oppression and tyranny?
By exploring the motivations of the characters in Number the Stars, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes of courage, resistance, and the triumph of human spirit in the face of adversity. Understanding character motivations can also help readers connect with the characters and their struggles on a deeper level.
Try picking one or more of these prompts and write about it in your journal. Consider how the characters’ motivations shape the plot and the overall message of the novel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Number the Stars Journal Prompts
Q: What are number the stars journal prompts?
A: Number the Stars journal prompts are thought-provoking questions or writing ideas that prompt students to reflect on the events, characters, and themes in the book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
Q: Why are number the stars journal prompts helpful?
A: Number the Stars journal prompts are helpful because they encourage students to think deeply about the book, develop their writing skills, and gain a better understanding of the story and its historical context.
Q: How do I use number the stars journal prompts?
A: To use number the stars journal prompts, simply choose a prompt that interests you and spend some time reflecting on it. Then, write your thoughts in a journal or notebook.
Q: Are there any specific prompts I should focus on?
A: No, there is no specific prompt you should focus on. Instead, choose the prompt that speaks to you the most or that you find most interesting.
Q: Can I use number the stars journal prompts with a group?
A: Yes, number the stars journal prompts can be used with a group. Simply choose a prompt and have each member of the group share their thoughts and insights.
Q: How do I come up with my own number the stars journal prompts?
A: To come up with your own number the stars journal prompts, think about the themes, characters, and events of the book and try to come up with questions or writing ideas that encourage reflection and exploration.
Q: Can number the stars journal prompts be used with other books?
A: Yes, number the stars journal prompts can be adapted for use with other books or stories that have similar themes or historical contexts.
Wrap Up
Thank you for reading about number the stars journal prompts. We hope that these prompts will encourage you to reflect on the book and explore its themes and historical context. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out. And don’t forget to visit us again for more great content!