The Necklace

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Necklace Confession”

In this activity, students will write a scene where Mathilde tells Madame Forestier she lost the necklace.

Mathilde replaces the necklace and does not reveal that she lost the original for 10 years. Imagine a different scenario in which she tells Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace soon after the party. What would she say? How would Madame Forestier respond?

• Brainstorm ideas for the scene.
• Write the scene, staying true to the characters’ voices and motivations.
• Revise and prepare to share.

Present the scenes you wrote. Reflect on how telling the truth might have changed Mathilde’s life.

Teaching Suggestion: It might be useful to re-read key scenes and identify aspects of the characters’ voices and motivations before writing. Also, the class could brainstorm ways to show the personalities of the characters through their words and actions. An extension could be to perform the scenes for the rest of the class.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students seeking opportunities to practice interpersonal intelligence skills, working together could make this activity even more meaningful. Students might write the scene together and perform the scene.