Description
This resource provides a complete literary analysis of the short story “Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara, with structured before-reading, during-reading, and after-reading activities designed to support comprehension, analysis, and student choice.
Students begin the lesson with an anticipation guide and a vocabulary definition chart to activate prior knowledge and prepare for Bambara’s distinctive voice and style. During reading, students respond to comprehension questions that guide understanding of plot, characters, and key moments in the story.
After reading, students engage in deeper analysis through literary analysis questions and a focused narrator analysis graphic organizer, helping them examine Squeaky’s perspective and character development. The lesson concludes with a writing menu, giving students choice in how they demonstrate understanding and reflect on the story’s themes. Answer keys are included for all components.
Throughout the lesson, students explore important literary elements, including point of view, characterization, imagery, metaphor, colloquialism and dialect, theme, internal and external conflict, hyperbole, and idiom. These activities help students move beyond surface-level reading to a richer understanding of character, voice, and message.
Perfect for middle school ELA, this “Raymond’s Run” lesson supports close reading, character analysis, and differentiated instruction while encouraging thoughtful discussion and student engagement.