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What is naturalism?
You will be reading The Call of the Wild and/or
White Fang by Jack London.
Jack London is known for his use of naturalism.
Naturalism grew out of realism. Before reading
The Call of the Wild and/or White Fang, let’s
explore the concept of “naturalism”.
Questions to help you push your understanding of
naturalism:
-What is realism?
-What is naturalism?
-What are the elements of naturalism?
-Who are some other authors known for their use
of naturalism?
Image Source: Pics4learning.com
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2. Information Sources
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Take notes on the sources below using this template.
A Man Said to the Universe
A man said to the universe:
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
-Stephen Crane
Naturalism Defined
Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature
American Literary Naturalism
World Book Naturalism
Gale Student Resources: Naturalism
Naturalism in Literature
On the Influence of Naturalism on American Literature
Naturalism in Art and Literature
Take this Quiz to check your understanding of naturalism.
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3. Student Activity
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To further your understanding of naturalism
in literature, you will read a piece of
work that showcases naturalism and its
different elements:
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Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat (Scroll
down on the page to view the online text.)
To show your understanding of the
common themes of naturalism, complete
this graphic organizer based on the story
you read above.
The activities above are adapted from: LaunchPad: Crane, London, &
Naturalism
Image Source: Clipart.com by subscription
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4. Assessment Activity
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Naturalism Comic
You are going to use what you have learned to
create a comic that features one or more of the
elements of naturalism.
 Use this graphic organizer to plan out your comic.
 See your teacher to use Makebeliefscomix or for
your access code for Bitstrips.
 Create your comic.
 Submit your comic for your teacher’s approval
when you are finished.
 Choose 2 student comics to peer-review. In your
review provide feedback to the creator on how
well the comic depicts the element of naturalism.
Here is the scoring tool your teacher will use to
assess your learning.
Image Source: Pics4learning.com
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5. Enrichment Activities
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Read or listen to The Call of the Wild and
learn more about Jack London.
Image Source: Pics4learning.com

Jack London and Naturalism

Jack London PowerPoint

Find The Call of the Wild on
TumbleBooks Cloud
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Find White Fang on TumbleBooks Cloud

Literary Realism and Naturalism (You
Tube Video)
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6. Teacher Support Materials
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Time Frame: 3-4 class periods
Common Core State Standards
Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite
specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Standards for the 21st Century Learner
1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual, media, digital) in
order to make inferences and gather meaning.
1.4.3 Monitor gathered information, and assess for gaps or weaknesses.
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world
situations, and further investigations.
2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express
new understandings.
2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.
4.1.3 Respond to literature and creative expressions of ideas in various formats and genres.
4.1.8 Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.
Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students
3.0: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.
4.0: Technology for Communication and Expression: Use technology to communicate information and express
ideas using various media formats
Differentiation:
Direct students to use comprehension tools included in databases, such as: audio
read-aloud, labeled reading levels, and embedded dictionaries.
Learning Styles:
Visual Learners, Auditory Learners, Tactile Learners, Reflective, Global
Understanding, Analytical Understanding
AVID Strategies: Cornell Notes
Notes to the Teacher:
-In order for students to use Bitstrips, you will have to sign up for a class account.
It is a free 30 day trial. You will need to type in each child’s first name and they
will be given an access code so they can save their work. When they submit their
comic, it will come to you for approval before it will be visible to the class for
them to comment, so make sure you use a valid email address. You can save the
comics as a PDF and print them out if you would like to keep them before your
30 day trial ends.
-For Makebeliefscomix students can create more than one comic if they need
more frames. Students can’t save, but can print or use the snipping tool to save.
Students need to finish their comic in one period or will have to recreate their
comic the next class in order to complete it.
-Consider showing this Teacher Tube Video 0:00-4:23 is about Realism.
Naturalism starts at 4:23. Stop the video at 7:23 and jump to 8:02 to avoid
inappropriate material.
Last updated: July 2015
Created by Lisa Caughey , Teacher
BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2013, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only.
All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module.