Bring Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God to life in your classroom with this complete novel study teaching unit. Packed with ready-to-use lesson plans, engaging activities, literary analysis practice, quizzes, and assessments, this 95-page teaching guide gives you everything you need to teach the novel with confidence. Whether you’re introducing Hurston for the first time or enhancing a long-standing unit, this resource saves you hours of prep while helping students connect deeply with the text.

Why Teachers Love This

• Complete curriculum in one download — no more piecing together separate worksheets or activities.
• Built-in literary analysis practice — covers theme, symbolism, figurative language, dialect, and more.
• Engaging and varied resources — from historical context articles to plot maps, vocabulary, and projects.
• Classroom-tested & trusted — used in 1,500+ classrooms with a 4.8/5 star rating.
• Time-saving design — just print and go, or adapt to your digital classroom needs.

What’s Inside

Pre-Reading & Context

• Author Biography of Zora Neale Hurston with comprehension questions
• Anticipation/Reaction Pre-Reading Activity
• Informational Texts with questions on: Eatonville history, African-American Oral Tradition, Post-Civil War Segregation, The Great Migration, and the Harlem Renaissance

Core Novel Study Materials

• Chapter-based Note-Taking & Summarizing Activities
• Vocabulary Lists (with and without definitions)
• Plot Map
• Comprehension/Study Guide Questions

Literary Analysis Skill Practice

• Dialect, Figurative Language, Characterization, Conflict
• Allusions, Imagery, Point of View, Symbolism, Theme
• African-American Folklore, Poetry Analysis, Voice

Language & Vocabulary Skill Builders

• Word Roots, Vocabulary in Context, Word Parts
• Connotation/Denotation, Analogies, Which Word Fits?

Assessments & Wrap-Up

• Three Quizzes
• Two Types of Final Tests (objective & extended response)
• Novel Summary
• Pre/Post Reading Activities
• Essay & Writing Prompts
• Project Rubrics and Response-to-Literature Rubrics
• Complete Answer Key

Teacher Feedback

“Hurston would be pleased at the amazing work put into this unit. Readers are challenged to explore literature in the world that surrounds them.” – Melissa W.

“This resource was a lifesaver for teaching this novel… I am more pleased with this product than any other TpT product.” – Ashlee B.

“The lessons in this resource are extremely engaging and all of my students participate, but more importantly, they contribute coherent, thoughtful reactions and make great connections to the text.” – Lauren H.

“I love this resource! Each chapter’s worksheet covers a different skill. In-depth, thought-provoking, and print-and-go. Perfect for first-time teaching this book.” – Christina W.

“This resource has everything you need for teaching the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God"! It was a life saver for me during student teaching!" - Yarely L.

How to Use It

• Use as a full unit plan for teaching the novel start to finish
• Assign informational texts to build historical and cultural context before and during reading
• Incorporate chapter guides and vocabulary into literature circles or independent reading
• Reinforce skills with literary analysis activities that connect to standards
• Choose from multiple final tests or assign an essay/project for flexible assessment options

Why It Works

This unit doesn’t just check the boxes — it’s built to help students connect literature, history, and culture while developing critical reading and analysis skills. With scaffolding for vocabulary, comprehension, and literary analysis, plus varied assessments, this resource gives you the flexibility to reach every learner while keeping your prep time minimal.