Download the Classroom Resource Guide to The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel here:
Classroom Resources: THE FLOURISHING OF FLORALIE LAUREL | |
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Download the Classroom Resources above for a full DISCUSSION and VOCABULARY guide!
Grade Level: 4-9 (Ages 10-14)
Genre: Magical Realism/Historical
Key Topics:
1920s Historical Fiction
Poetry
French Culture
Metaphorical Language and Symbolism
Impressionist Art History (Claude Monet)
Greek Poetry (Sappho)
Victorian Language of Flowers
Creativity
Mental Illness
Project Ideas:
1. "Symbolism of Flowers" Prose Writing Exercise:
In the Victorian era, flowers were more than simply pretty decorations. They were deeply symbolic and could be used to communicate emotions too shy for words. All flowers had meanings that were listed in "floriographies," or flower meaning dictionaries. For this activity, hand out a list of flowers and their meanings from the Victorian era. Ask students to pick 3-5 flowers that they would include in a box to someone important to them, or alternatively, what flowers they would like to receive from someone important to them. Have students research the flowers and illustrate a bouquet, then write a short essay on why they chose their flowers and what it would mean to give/receive those flowers to/from someone they care for. To find a list of Victorian Language of Flowers meanings, please click here: http://www.avictorian.com/flowers/flowernames.html .
2. "Simile Postcards" Reading/Prose Writing Exercise:
FLORALIE is full of similes and metaphors. Have students search the first few chapters of FLORALIE for similes and metaphors. Then, have students write a postcard to Floralie, or another character in the novel, using their own made-up similes and metaphors to describe both their own world, and the world of their character. Let students decorate the front of the postcard and hang them by yarn to display in the classroom.
3. "Flower Poetry" Poetry Writing Project:
In the Victorian era, flowers were more than simply pretty decorations. They were deeply symbolic and could be used to communicate emotions too shy for words. All flowers had meanings that were listed in "floriographies," or flower meaning dictionaries. For this activity, hand out a list of flowers and their meanings from the Victorian era. Ask students to pick 5 flowers to write poems about, and create a short book of poems. Illustrations may be added. Use poems from FLORALIE as models, as well as vocabulary from FLORALIE. To find vocabulary from FLORALIE, check out the "Vocabulary" page on this website, or click the button below to be transported there. To find a list of Victorian Language of Flowers meanings, please click here: http://www.avictorian.com/flowers/flowernames.html .
4. "Painting Inspiration" Short Story Project:
In FLORALIE, Floralie's mother found inspiration in Monet's paintings, particularly, Young Girl in the Garden at Giverny. In this project, students will research impressionist paintings and create a short story using inspiration from the setting or characters from the painting. Students may put together 3-4 paintings to inspire a multitude of scenes.
Grade Level: 4-9 (Ages 10-14)
Genre: Magical Realism/Historical
Key Topics:
1920s Historical Fiction
Poetry
French Culture
Metaphorical Language and Symbolism
Impressionist Art History (Claude Monet)
Greek Poetry (Sappho)
Victorian Language of Flowers
Creativity
Mental Illness
Project Ideas:
1. "Symbolism of Flowers" Prose Writing Exercise:
In the Victorian era, flowers were more than simply pretty decorations. They were deeply symbolic and could be used to communicate emotions too shy for words. All flowers had meanings that were listed in "floriographies," or flower meaning dictionaries. For this activity, hand out a list of flowers and their meanings from the Victorian era. Ask students to pick 3-5 flowers that they would include in a box to someone important to them, or alternatively, what flowers they would like to receive from someone important to them. Have students research the flowers and illustrate a bouquet, then write a short essay on why they chose their flowers and what it would mean to give/receive those flowers to/from someone they care for. To find a list of Victorian Language of Flowers meanings, please click here: http://www.avictorian.com/flowers/flowernames.html .
2. "Simile Postcards" Reading/Prose Writing Exercise:
FLORALIE is full of similes and metaphors. Have students search the first few chapters of FLORALIE for similes and metaphors. Then, have students write a postcard to Floralie, or another character in the novel, using their own made-up similes and metaphors to describe both their own world, and the world of their character. Let students decorate the front of the postcard and hang them by yarn to display in the classroom.
3. "Flower Poetry" Poetry Writing Project:
In the Victorian era, flowers were more than simply pretty decorations. They were deeply symbolic and could be used to communicate emotions too shy for words. All flowers had meanings that were listed in "floriographies," or flower meaning dictionaries. For this activity, hand out a list of flowers and their meanings from the Victorian era. Ask students to pick 5 flowers to write poems about, and create a short book of poems. Illustrations may be added. Use poems from FLORALIE as models, as well as vocabulary from FLORALIE. To find vocabulary from FLORALIE, check out the "Vocabulary" page on this website, or click the button below to be transported there. To find a list of Victorian Language of Flowers meanings, please click here: http://www.avictorian.com/flowers/flowernames.html .
4. "Painting Inspiration" Short Story Project:
In FLORALIE, Floralie's mother found inspiration in Monet's paintings, particularly, Young Girl in the Garden at Giverny. In this project, students will research impressionist paintings and create a short story using inspiration from the setting or characters from the painting. Students may put together 3-4 paintings to inspire a multitude of scenes.
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