Description
In this resource, students read and analyze the dystopian science fiction short story “Frost and Fire” by Ray Bradbury, a gripping tale set on a nightmarish planet where humans are directly impacted by solar radiation and can survive for only eight days. The extreme setting and high stakes immediately hook students and provide rich opportunities for literary analysis, discussion, and thematic exploration.
The lesson begins with two pre-reading activities designed to build anticipation and activate background knowledge. Students are introduced to key academic vocabulary through a PowerPoint presentation and a corresponding graphic organizer, ensuring they are prepared to engage with Bradbury’s complex language and imagery.
As students read, they complete reading and analysis questions that guide comprehension and encourage close reading. After reading, students participate in discussion questions and complete a detailed literary analysis chart that focuses on Bradbury’s use of personification, metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism, and irony. This structured analysis helps students clearly explain how literary devices contribute to meaning and theme.
To extend learning and make cross-text connections, students also complete a poem analysis and comparison using Robert Frost’s “Fire and Ice,” allowing them to examine how similar ideas about destruction and survival are expressed across genres.
This resource includes teacher guides and answer keys in PDF format, student copies of activities in both editable Word documents and print-ready PDFs, and a PowerPoint presentation for direct instruction. The lesson works well for middle school or high school ELA, particularly in units focused on science fiction, dystopian literature, figurative language, and theme, and consistently generates thoughtful discussion about humanity, survival, and the consequences of environment and choice.