The Secret Life of Bees: Curriculum Unit

by Center for Learning

Ten lessons have students research the South Carolina setting, explore the influence of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, evaluate characters' behavior and motivation, trace a recurring motif, and recognize the use of imagery and figurative language. They also keep a reader-response journal, support opinions with textual evidence, make predictions, and create a soundtrack that reflects the plot, setting, and theme of the novel. Grades 9-12. (CFL667)

Genres: Southern

81 pages, Spiral-bound

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

The Center for Learning is a nonprofit, educational publisher founded in the 1970s by a team of teachers to help teachers excel in the classroom by providing support in the form of community networking, professional development courses, and print and digital lesson plans focusing on English, Language Arts, and Social Studies at the intermediate and secondary education levels.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, wonderfully affirming of community and feminine spiritual/divine images as well as just some good plain humor. Lots of lines I pull from this book every so often. Didn't like her 2nd book Mermaid Chair though

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story of a girl who comes to grips with some issues in her life, learns some things about herself, and helps the reader understand a bit about what the civil rights era was like. Not my favorite genre of book, but I enjoyed it and read it quickly.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I'd enjoy this book as much as I did when I first started reading it. It is a sweet (no pun intended) and enjoyable story, though, and I was moved by the sentiments of a hurting girl and relieved when the girl finds love in the most unlikely of places.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I hated the Mermaid Chair by the same author

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I can hardly tell you why, b/c it was quite some time ago, but it was just a "feel good" book.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It's one of those books that you hate to put down once you start reading it. It's endearing and fills your soul!

[Susan]

Loved this book..I would read it again!

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book club special, but again a book full of insights. Not so much into bees, but into southern, rural, black life. And frankly, into the nature of love.

[Kathrine Hepburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very creatively written. The coming of age for a southern young girl. Prejudices and racial issues are well covered. The lessons of the bees is beautiful.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story, really quick read, nice feeling in the end.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected, but enjoyed reading it. The story flowed, the characters were full of life, and the lessons learned are good for all to read. Great for bookclubs.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! It was the best one I read in 2003.

[Venessa Holstlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book !! It is definately my favorite!!!!!!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I enjoyed the characters and learning a bit about bees...lol.