Anne of Green Gables Lesson Plan: Creative Writing & Art Projects

Engage with L.M. Montgomery's classic! This creative 'Anne of Green Gables' lesson plan moves beyond comprehension with art projects, writing prompts, and journal activities that explore themes of imagination, home, and friendship. Perfect for students, homeschoolers, and book clubs.

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Kindred Spirits: A Creative Exploration of Anne of Green Gables

Materials Needed:

  • A copy of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  • A journal or notebook and a favorite pen
  • Access to the internet for light research (optional)
  • Art supplies of your choice (e.g., colored pencils, watercolor paints, sketch paper, a camera, or digital design software)
  • For the optional immersive activity: Ingredients for "Raspberry Cordial" (e.g., raspberry syrup or juice, sparkling water or lemonade, fresh raspberries or mint for garnish)

Lesson Goal

This lesson moves beyond simple comprehension to explore the enduring themes of Anne of Green Gables through creative expression and personal reflection. Our goal is not to test your knowledge of the plot, but to connect with the novel's spirit of imagination, resilience, and finding beauty in the everyday. You will step into the world of Avonlea and create something new that is inspired by Anne's story.

Part 1: The Scope of Imagination (15-20 minutes)

Anne Shirley's most defining characteristic is her powerful imagination. She uses it to endure hardship, beautify her surroundings, and forge deep connections. Let's warm up our own imaginative muscles.

  1. Find a Mundane Object: Look around your room and choose a simple, everyday object (e.g., a lamp, a coffee mug, a houseplant, a pen).
  2. Give it a Romantic Name: Just as Anne renamed Barry's Pond "The Lake of Shining Waters," give your object a grand, poetic, and ridiculously romantic name. Write it down in your journal.
  3. Write its Story: Spend 10-15 minutes writing a short, dramatic backstory for this object. Where did it come from? What secrets does it hold? What heroic (or tragic) events has it witnessed? Don't worry about making it perfect; the goal is to let your imagination run wild, just as Anne would.

Part 2: A Taste of Avonlea (30 minutes, includes preparation)

A key part of the novel's charm is its immersion in the sensory details of life on Prince Edward Island. Let's engage our senses to connect more deeply with the story.

  1. Prepare a "Cordial": Mix yourself a non-alcoholic "Raspberry Cordial." As you prepare it, imagine you are Marilla Cuthbert in her pantry, carefully measuring ingredients. Or perhaps you are Anne, thrilled at the prospect of sharing a fancy drink with your "bosom friend."
  2. Mindful Reading: Find a comfortable place to sit with your drink. Select a chapter from the book that you particularly love—perhaps one describing the beauty of Avonlea, like "The White Way of Delight," or a comical scene like the one involving the original raspberry cordial incident.
  3. Journal Reflection: As you sip and read, pay close attention to the sensory details Montgomery uses. In your journal, answer the following:
    • How does Montgomery use descriptions of nature, food, and home to build the world of Avonlea?
    • Did engaging your sense of taste while reading change the experience? If so, how?

Part 3: The Bend in the Road (Main Creative Project - Choose ONE)

Anne says, "I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does." This project is your "bend in the road"—an opportunity to create something new, inspired by the novel. Choose the option that most excites you.

Option A: The Avonlea Chronicle

Your Task: Write a "missing" scene or a story from the perspective of another character. This is a chance to explore the inner world of someone besides Anne.

  • Ideas:
    • Write Marilla's private journal entry after she decides to keep Anne. What were her true fears and hopes?
    • Describe the disastrous tea party with Mrs. Allan from Gilbert Blythe's point of view. What was he thinking as he saw Anne's cake fail?
    • Write a letter from Mrs. Rachel Lynde to a friend, describing the strange, red-headed orphan who has just arrived at Green Gables.
  • Goal: To capture the unique voice and perspective of a character while staying true to the tone and world of the novel.

Option B: A Map of the Heart

Your Task: Create a visual representation of Anne's emotional journey or her world. This is for the visually-minded kindred spirit.

  • Ideas:
    • Draw or paint an illustrated map of Anne's Avonlea, but instead of just locations, label them with the feelings and key events that happened there (e.g., "The Haunted Wood: The Thrill of a Fright," "Green Gables East Gable: The Height of Ambition," "The Lake of Shining Waters: The Depth of Friendship").
    • Create a "found object" collage or shadow box that represents Anne's personality. Gather small items (or images of them) that symbolize different parts of her story: a broken slate, a flower from a hat, a small bottle, a book, etc.
    • Take a series of photographs in your own neighborhood that capture the "feeling" of places like The White Way of Delight or Lovers' Lane.
  • Goal: To translate the novel's themes and emotions into a compelling visual medium.

Option C: Finding Your Green Gables

Your Task: Create a modern-day reflection on the theme of "home" and "belonging." This project connects the novel directly to your own life and experiences.

  • Ideas:
    • Write a personal essay or create a blog post about a place that has been your "Green Gables"—a place where you felt you truly belonged for the first time. What made it feel like home?
    • Create a short "mood board" (using Pinterest, Canva, or physical materials) that captures the aesthetic and feeling of your ideal "home," inspired by the warmth and nature of Green Gables. Include images, color palettes, textures, and quotes.
    • Identify the "kindred spirits" in your own life. Write a heartfelt letter (you don't have to send it) to one of them, explaining why you consider them a bosom friend, drawing parallels to the friendship between Anne and Diana.
  • Goal: To analyze the universal theme of finding one's place in the world and apply it to your own lived experience.

Part 4: A Solemn Vow (Lesson Reflection)

Once you have completed your creative project, take a final moment to reflect on the process in your journal. This helps solidify what you've learned and experienced.

Answer these questions:

  1. Looking at what you created, what aspect of Anne of Green Gables do you think resonated with you the most?
  2. Anne often learns from her mistakes ("deuced scrapes"). What did you learn or discover during your creative process? Were there any happy accidents?
  3. Has this creative exploration changed how you view the novel or any of its characters? Why or why not?