I Am Malala Lesson Plan

Scorched Earth

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will discuss the underlying motivations behind a major action taken in the book.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.8

Structure:

In the immediate aftermath of Malala's shooting, it is revealed that the Taliban targeted her in an attempt to silence her and Ziauddin in one fell swoop. This tactic is not unheard of, and your students might even be familiar with it. However, it is worth discussing why the Taliban decided to go after Ziauddin's daughter first, and how effective that approach might have been.

Begin by asking students how the Taliban expected Malala's father to react: after...