Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What are the benefits of owning land or being a homeowner? What advantages and responsibilities do people who own land have over people who do not own land?   

Teaching Suggestion: This question provides an opportunity to introduce the theme Land and Power. In exploring the connection between land and power, students should understand that, unlike renters, homeowners do not have to worry about increases in rent or the whims of landlords. It may be helpful to mention to students that, generally, real estate is considered a significant investment that grows in value over time and thus can build generational wealth. The characters in this novel are impoverished in many profound ways because they either do not own their land or have to fight constantly to hold on to it. Due to the potential sensitivity of this topic, a private, independent response may be best. These and similar resources may help in building additional context for this subject.

• “How Does Homeownership Contribute to Wealth Building?” is a research series by Habitat for Humanity that briefly explains the benefits of home ownership; the site includes links to a detailed brief that discusses this topic in a modern context. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing due to complexity and sensitivity)
• “The Short-Lived Promise of ’40 Acres and a Mule’” from History explains the plan to grant land to former enslaved people after the Civil War—and why it failed.

Short Activity  

What are some examples of “Jim Crow” laws that states enacted in the decades following the Civil War to make racial discrimination against Black people legal? After conducting research online, report back to the group with 2-3 laws you have learned about.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may be familiar with the most famous of these laws—the poll tax, the restrictions at drinking fountains and lunch counters, the rules about where Black people saw on public buses. However, the more students learn about them, the more they will understand how these laws curtailed all aspects of Black people’s social, economic, and political lives.

• Students can browse laws by state on this page from the Jim Crow Museum. (Content Warning: Many state laws listed include language that is considered dated, insensitive, or racist in modern times. Some content is mature.)
• PBS has a short but helpful article on Jim Crow laws.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Think of a time a family member or a loved one supported you when you needed it. How did it make you feel? Have you ever had the chance to be there for someone in need?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt introduces the theme Family and Loyalty by asking students to think of the bonds that encourage people to support one another. In this book, characters frequently must make the difficult decision whether to take a stand for a loved one in a difficult situation.

• “Improving Sibling Relations” from the American Psychological Association explains the importance of relationships between siblings, both in childhood and throughout life.
• “Standing Up for Yourself and Your Friends” from PBS Utah shows how young children—about the age of some of the Logan children—handle bullying.