The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian Andersen's Lesson Plan

"The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen can be a wonderful way to engage students in literature, critical thinking, and empathy-building. Here's a structured lesson plan for a classroom setting:

Title: Exploring Empathy through "The Little Match Girl"

Objective:

• Students will analyze the themes, characters, and literary devices used in "The Little Match Girl."
• Students will develop empathy towards the characters in the story.
• Students will reflect on how the themes of poverty, compassion, and empathy relate to their own lives.

Materials Needed:

• Copies of "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Audio recording of the story (optional)
• Art supplies for optional creative activities

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction (15 minutes):

• Begin by discussing the author, Hans Christian Andersen, and his significance in literature.
• Provide background information about the setting and time period of the story.
• Introduce the concept of empathy and its importance in understanding literature.

2. Reading the Story (20 minutes):

• Distribute copies of "The Little Match Girl" to the students.
• Have students read the story silently or take turns reading aloud.
• Alternatively, you can play an audio recording of the story for the class.

3. Discussion (20 minutes):

• Lead a discussion about the story, focusing on key themes, characters, and plot points.
• Encourage students to share their thoughts and reactions to the story.
• Discuss the symbolism of the matches, the little girl's visions, and the ending of the story.

4. Analysis and Literary Devices (20 minutes):

• Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific literary device (e.g., imagery, symbolism, foreshadowing).
• Have each group identify examples of their assigned literary device in the story and discuss its significance.
• Reconvene as a class and have each group share their findings.

5. Empathy Activity (20 minutes):

• Engage students in an empathy-building activity related to the story. For example, you could ask them to imagine themselves in the little girl's shoes and write a journal entry expressing her thoughts and feelings.
• Alternatively, students could create artwork depicting a scene from the story that evokes empathy.

6. Reflection and Closure (15 minutes):

• Lead a class discussion on the theme of empathy and its importance in understanding the experiences of others.
• Have students reflect on how they can demonstrate empathy in their own lives, both inside and outside the classroom.
• Conclude the lesson by summarizing the key points discussed and expressing the importance of empathy in literature and in the world.

Extension Activities (Optional):

• Compare and contrast "The Little Match Girl" with other works of literature that explore similar themes, such as poverty, compassion, and empathy.
• Have students write a modern-day adaptation of the story, set in a contemporary context.
• Explore the historical context of the story's setting and discuss how it relates to issues of poverty and social inequality today.

By following this lesson plan, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of "The Little Match Girl" but also develop important skills in literary analysis and empathy-building.