Lesson Plan: Exploring Leo Tolstoy's "Three Questions"

Grade Level: 7-12
Subject: English Language Arts / Literature
Duration: 1-2 Class Periods

Objectives:

Comprehension: Students will read and understand the narrative of Tolstoy’s "Three Questions."
Analysis: Students will analyze the themes of the story, particularly the concepts of wisdom, morality, and the significance of the present moment.
Critical Thinking: Students will critically assess the protagonist’s journey and relate the story’s lessons to their own lives.
Discussion: Students will engage in group discussions, exploring different interpretations of the text.

Materials:

Copies of "Three Questions" by Leo Tolstoy (or access to the text online)
Whiteboard and markers
Student notebooks
Projector (optional)

Lesson Activities:

Introduction (10-15 minutes):
- Briefly introduce Leo Tolstoy, his literary significance, and his themes.
- Introduce the story's context: Discuss the basic premise—why the king seeks answers to his three questions.
- Pose the three questions to the class and ask students to write their initial thoughts/answers in their notebooks.
Reading the Text (20-30 minutes):
- Option 1: Read the story aloud as a class, stopping periodically to discuss key events and characters.
- Option 2: Have students read the text individually or in small groups, annotating or highlighting important parts.
Discussion & Analysis (20-30 minutes):
- Facilitate a class discussion centered on the king’s three questions:
  1. What is the best time to do each thing?
  2. Who are the most important people to work with?
  3. What is the most important thing to do at all times?
- Ask students how they would answer these questions and compare them with the responses given in the story.
- Discuss the significance of the hermit's answers and how they address the king's questions.
- Explore themes such as the importance of living in the present, compassion, and wisdom.
Critical Thinking Activity (15-20 minutes):
- Have students work in small groups to relate the story to modern-day situations. They can create a scenario where someone is seeking similar answers and discuss how the lessons from the story could apply.
- Alternatively, students can write a brief essay or reflective piece on how they might answer the three questions in their own lives.
Conclusion (5-10 minutes):
- Summarize the main themes and lessons of the story.
- Revisit the three questions and discuss how the students’ answers might have changed after reading the story.
- Assign any follow-up homework, such as a written reflection or a creative project (e.g., rewriting the story in a modern context).

Assessment:

Participation in discussions
Annotations or notes taken during the reading
Group activity or individual written reflections
Homework assignment

Homework (Optional):

Write a personal reflection on a time when you faced a difficult decision and how the lessons from the story might have helped.
Research another short story by Tolstoy and compare its themes with those of "Three Questions."

This lesson plan provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and appreciating "Three Questions" by Leo Tolstoy, while also encouraging students to apply its lessons to their own lives.