The Veldt by Ray Bradbury

Lesson Plan: By Julie Melton

Advance Content Seventh Grade

This lesson requires three days in class and an additional week for students to complete the project at
home. Allow one additional day for sharing of the projects when they are completed.

Theme- Literature reflects life and a culture’s belief systems

Standards-

Materials Needed (Based on a class size of 26)

 Copy of 26 sentences or phrases from throughout the story and cut them into separate strips (attached)
 Foreshadowing & Sensory Images graphic organizer (attached)
 Copies of the short story “The Veldt”

Day One:

Introduction (15 min)

 Journal Prompt- Describe the perfect parent. (Discuss after the Tea Party
activity)

 “Tea Party” - Give each student one sentence strip (attached). Tell them that they will be
predicting what the story is about based on the information on these strips. The students will
move around the room and share their sentence or phrase with at least four other people (or,
you can set a time limit of two to three minutes)

 Make a Prediction- Students share their predictions. They should justify their predictions with
specific evidence from the sentence strips. Invite opposing views!

(The Tea Party activity generally leads to discussion of the parents in the story)

 Discuss- Discuss their opinions of the perfect parent.

First Reading (30 min)

 Give background on “The Veldt” by showing photographs of an African veldt and

discussing the climate of the 1950’s in America (fear of Communism and nuclear
war, growing reliance on technology).
 Students read the story independently using sticky-notes to jot down questions
and comments as they read. Remind students to keep the sticky-notes attached
on the appropriate pages for reference.
  Student discussion should follow the first reading. Encourage them to direct their
comments and questions to the other students as opposed to the teacher. Be
sure to discuss the ending!

Day Two and Three (Two 50 minute periods)

Second Reading

 Bradbury utilizes foreshadowing of death throughout his story. In addition, he

creates a hot, oppressive tone through his use of sensory language.
 Students complete the chart (attached) on foreshadowing and sensory language
as they read the story for the second time.
 Student discussion should follow the second reading. They should share
instances of foreshadowing and tone and any other questions or comments they
might have. In addition, be sure to include the following discussion prompts:

1. How are the Hadleys good parents? How are they bad parents?
2. In what ways did technology enrich the lives of the Hadleys? How did it
negatively impact them and their relationships?

Two Views of the Future*

Introduce the Project: Each student will select one or more piece(s) of current or
future technology (cell phone, internet, social networking, electric cars, etc.). Next, the
student will create two visions of the future: one in which that technology has improved
society and one in which the technology has had a negative effect on society. These
two “visions” should be presented in any visual format (drawings, art, multi-media
presentation, thematic sculpture, two newspapers, etc) and should include
foreshadowing and sensory language similar to that used in The Veldt.
In addition, the student will include one to two well-written paragraphs describing
their visions and explaining the foreshadowing and sensory images used.

(Most of this project will be completed at home. Students are encouraged to research
their topic to help formulate “plausible” consequences. They may need some
redirection so that their ideas don’t border into fantasy.)

*Note: This lesson can be shortened by eliminating the project. Instead, the students
can write a reflection on the theme for this unit (Literature reflects life and a culture’s
belief systems).

Additional Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljt_vZLT_F8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7sdv270kBc
The Veldt (26 sentence strips-some are repeated)

George, I wish you’d look at the nursery.

It’s just that the nursery is different now than it was.

This is a little too real. But I don’t see anything wrong.

“Filthy creatures,” he heard his wife say.

“Did you hear that scream?” she asked.

A miracle of efficiency selling for an absurdly low price.

…you could feel the prickling fur on your hand…

Oh, they look real, I must admit…

I feel like I don’t belong here.

Can I compete now with an African Veldt?

Those lions can’t get out of there, can they?

They were awfully young, Wendy and Peter, for death thoughts.

He stepped into Africa.

Wendy and Peter were coming in the front door, cheeks like peppermint candy…
We’ve given the children everything they’ve ever wanted.

Peter…never looked at his father anymore, nor at his mother.

I won’t have any more threats from my son!

I have a nose for something bad. This is very bad.

“

“Did you hear that scream?” she asked.

This is a little too real. But I don’t see anything wrong.

Wendy and Peter were coming in the front door, cheeks like peppermint candy…

We’ve given the children everything they’ve ever wanted.

Peter…never looked at his father anymore, nor at his mother.

“Filthy creatures,” he heard his wife say.

He stepped into Africa.

George, I wish you’d look at the nursery.

 The Veldt Graphic Organizer

Name: _______________________

Foreshadowing - The author gives hints about events that will happen later in the story.

- phrases that reflect the five senses

Sensory Images - Words and

Text Support: Identify five different examples of foreshadowing and five different sensory images with
page numbers. Include at least three direct quotes and three pieces of support paraphrased in your
own words. The remaining four examples are your choice.

Page Page

Foreshadowing of Death # Sensory Images #

(Words and phrases that suggest tension, oppression, and heat)

The shadow of a vulture crosses over 5 The ceiling of the nursery had a “hot yellow 4
George’s face. sun” and George Hadley feels
“perspiration” on his eyebrows.
1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.
 The Veldt Text Support: The Hadleys

Name: _____________________________ Per: _____________

Directions Part I: Re-read the short story “The Veldt.” As you read, find examples which support the
Hadleys as both good parents and bad parents. Explain how the quote suggests they are good or bad
parents (analysis).

Page Page
The Hadleys are good parents # The Hadleys are bad parents #

1.Quote: 1. Quote:

Explain: Explain:

2. Quote: 2. Quote:

Explain: Explain:

3. Quote: 3. Quote:

Explain: Explain:

4. Quote: 4. Quote:

Explain: Explain:

5. Quote: 5. Quote:

Explain: Explain:
 The Veldt: Two Views of the Future

Task: Create a visual representation of two different versions of

our future. Select one piece of current or future technology
(automatic-pilot cars, drones, electric cars, futuristic cars,
teleportation, etc.). Next, create two visions of the future: one in
which that technology has improved society and one in which the technology has had a
negative effect on society. Your project could take any visual form such as a drawing or
painting, sculpture, multi-media presentation such as Photo Story or a Prezi, or two
newspapers. Be creative! If you have a different idea for your presentation, you must
have prior approval from me.

Steps:
1. Each student will select one or more piece(s) of technology (cell phone, internet,
social networking, electric cars, etc.).
2. Next, the student will create two visions of the future: one in which that
technology has improved society and one in which the technology has had a
negative impact on society.
3. Your visual representation of the future should include foreshadowing and
sensory language similar to that used in “The Veldt.”
4. You will present your project to the class in a one minute presentation!

Caution! Your ideas should be thoughtful and creative. Avoid silly impacts! You will
have three days in class to research, plan, and complete your project. However, you
may need to complete some of the work at home.

Due Date: _____________________________________

 Two Views of the Future Planning Page
View Corning- A Day of Glass for some possible ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzLYh3j6xn8

Brainstorm current types of technology and potential future technology:

Type of Technology Positive Impacts Negative Impacts

Score Sheet: Two Views of the Future

Name: Grade

Project 100
o Type of technology is clearly represented and labeled 95
o Presents a positive and a negative view on the technology’s potential impact.
o Ideas are thoughtful and unique (avoids silly effects) 90
o Contains at least two examples of foreshadowing and two sensory images
85
similar to ones used in the story.
o Neat and indicates time and effort in a “professional” presentation. 80
o If you receive a check here, your project goes “above and beyond.” You have
impressed me! 75

One Minute Oral Presentation 70

o Speaks clearly with appropriate volume and eye contact (keep working on your 65
oral presentation skills)
o Explains the potential positive and negative effects. 60
o Explains the foreshadowing and sensory images included in the presentation