Transformation & Empathy: A Lesson Plan on Kafka's Metamorphosis for Kids

Engage students with a hands-on lesson exploring transformation and empathy, inspired by Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. This step-by-step guide uses creative art activities, diorama building, and imaginative writing prompts to help elementary and middle school students understand complex themes of change and perspective-taking in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

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The Great Transformation Adventure: Exploring Change with Kafka

Materials Needed:

  • An empty shoebox or other small cardboard box
  • Craft supplies: construction paper, glue, scissors, tape, pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, small pebbles, leaves, twigs
  • Modeling clay or play-dough
  • Drawing paper
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • A notebook or lined paper and a pencil

Lesson Plan: Step-by-Step

Part 1: The Wacky Wake-Up Call (15 Minutes)

Goal: To introduce the core idea of transformation in a gentle and curious way.

  1. Opening Chat - Natural Metamorphosis: Start with a question: "Do you know what the word 'metamorphosis' means? It’s a huge word for a simple idea: a big change!" Talk about real-life examples the student knows, like a tadpole changing into a frog or a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Ask, "What do you think it feels like to go through a big change like that?"
  2. Introduce the Story Idea: Say, "A long time ago, a writer named Franz Kafka wrote a very famous story about a man who goes through a different kind of metamorphosis. His story is a little strange and a little sad, but it has a very interesting idea at its heart. We're going to explore that big idea today."
  3. Tell a Simplified Story: Share a very simple, age-appropriate version of the story's beginning. Do not read from the book.
    Example: "Imagine a man named Gregor. He was a regular person with a regular job. But one morning, he woke up and he hadn't just changed a little bit—he had changed a LOT. He had transformed into a giant bug! He still had his same thoughts and feelings and memories inside, but his body was completely different. He couldn't walk on two legs, and when he tried to speak, only squeaky bug noises came out. His family couldn't understand him, and they were scared because he looked so different. The big puzzle of the story is: how can he show them he's still the same Gregor on the inside?"

Part 2: A Room for Gregor (25 Minutes)

Goal: To build empathy and think creatively from another's perspective.

  1. Problem-Solving Discussion: Ask questions to get the student thinking from Gregor's point of view.
    • "If you were Gregor the bug, what would you miss most about being human?"
    • "What things in his human room would be hard to use now? (A bed? A chair?)"
    • "What new things would you want in your room to make you feel comfortable as a bug? (Things to crawl on? A special kind of food?)"
  2. Creative Activity - Design a Cozy Bug Room: Hand the student the shoebox and craft supplies. Say, "Let's help Gregor. Your job is to turn this shoebox into the perfect, coziest room for a person who has suddenly become a giant bug. What would make him feel safe and happy?"
  3. Build and Create: Let the student lead the design. They can use twigs for climbing, fabric scraps for a soft corner, bottle caps for food dishes, etc. This is a hands-on way to explore empathy and problem-solving. While they work, you can talk about their choices. ("Oh, that's a great idea! Why did you decide to put the leafy branch there?")

Part 3: My Metamorphosis! (20 Minutes)

Goal: To apply the theme of transformation to the student's own creative ideas.

  1. Brainstorming Your Own Story: Say, "Now it's your turn to be the author! If you could wake up transformed into any animal or creature, what would you choose?" Brainstorm a few fun ideas together (a squirrel, a dolphin, a friendly dragon, a cat).
  2. Writing and Drawing Prompt: Ask the student to pick their favorite idea and write a short story or draw a comic strip about it. Guide them with questions:
    • What is the first thing you would do when you discovered your new body?
    • What would be the best part about your new form? (Flying? Swimming fast? Climbing walls?)
    • What would be the hardest part? (Not being able to talk? Not fitting through doors?)
    • How would you try to communicate with your family to let them know it’s still you?
  3. Create!: Give the student uninterrupted time to write or draw their transformation story. Offer help with spelling or ideas if needed, but encourage their own unique voice and creativity. The focus is on imagination, not perfect grammar.

Part 4: Show and Tell (5 Minutes)

Goal: To reflect on the lesson's main theme and share creative work.

  1. Share and Celebrate: Ask the student to share their story and explain their "Cozy Bug Room" diorama. Give positive feedback focused on their creative choices and ideas.
  2. Connect to the Big Idea: End with a gentle, reflective question. "What did we learn from thinking about Gregor and creating your own story? I think it shows that even if someone or something looks very different on the outside, their feelings and who they are on the inside can still be the same. It's important to be kind and try to understand others, even when they seem strange to us."
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