Life Isn't Always Black and White

by Susie Rogers, ELA 5th-8th

“A dog is a man’s best friend” is a familiar saying that most people would say is true. In the novel, Shiloh by Phyllis Naylor, my 5th graders explored this topic along with the moral dilemma of right and wrong. This classic Newbery Medal novel created conversations of whether it is ever okay to lie if it protects someone they love. They were asked if they would have done the same thing as Marty. The students made connections to their own life experiences and how they handled a similar, albeit less serious situation. Students were then able to draw the conclusion that not everything is in black and white. 

As a culminating activity for the novel, students created a one-pager that included explaining important quotations and their significance, drawing and explaining symbols, and creating a higher-level question with a detailed answer. Students finished the activity with a written summary of the novel that contained the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution. This activity promoted thoughtful appreciation and a more in-depth understanding of Shiloh and reinforced the belief that a dog is really a “boy’s” best friend.