Teach Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry with confidence — and without the stress of planning. This 200+ page novel study for Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry gives you everything you need for a 5–7 week unit: background resources, literary analysis, writing activities, quizzes, and tests. Designed to be both printable and digital, this bundle saves you prep time while helping students connect deeply with the novel’s themes of racism, family, justice, and resilience.

Why Teachers Love It

• Comprehensive & Organized: From pre-reading context to final tests, everything is done for you.
• Engaging & Relevant: Tackles sensitive topics in age-appropriate ways, sparking thoughtful class discussion.
• Flexible Formats: Works in Google Classroom, hybrid, or traditional settings.
• Proven Resource: Used by over 2,600 teachers with a 4.9/5 star rating.

What’s Inside

Background & Pre-Reading

• Author Study on Mildred D. Taylor
• Informational Texts: Jim Crow Laws, Civil Rights Movement, Sharecropping, Great Depression, Grief & Loss
• Pre-Reading Equality Activity
• Anticipation/Reaction Guide
• Poetry Connection: A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long

Active Reading & Comprehension

• Vocabulary & Allusions Lists + Quizzes
• Active Reading Note-Taking Guide
• Over 120 Chapter Comprehension Questions
• Reading Quizzes (print & digital)

Literary Analysis Activities

• Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Resolution
• Character Foils, Protagonist/Antagonist
• Symbolism, Theme, Setting
• Character Mapping

Writing Activities

• Thesis Statements & Paragraph Development
• Writing Conclusions & Intros
• Transitions, Personification, Dialect
• Sentence Variety & Precise Verbs
• Proofreading Practice

Assessments

• Two Final Tests (print & self-grading digital)

BONUS: Editable Sample Agenda with Teaching Notes

Teacher Feedback

“This was an AMAZING resource… it helped my students understand the material and prepared them for state testing without even realizing it.” – Stephanie S.

“Incredible product. Well-organized, abundant with skills, and packed with background info. I used almost everything!” – Ashlyn A.

“A phenomenal guide. Students thought deeply about big issues, and the materials made it age-appropriate.” – Erika S.

"Students aren't simply reading the book to read it. With this resource, they are reading to understand and to read into the meaning of the book. It's so awesome and makes my life easier while engaging my students in writing and discussion." - Kimberly B.

"I am more than thrilled! It was a wonderful addition to our literature and art unit. Thank you!" - Naomh O.

Why It Works

Because it blends rich historical context, rigorous literary analysis, and scaffolded writing practice, this unit helps students engage with the novel on multiple levels — while giving teachers a ready-to-use framework that saves time.