Description
This emotionally resonant reading and writing activity invites high school students to explore deep themes of forgiveness, trauma, and healing through literature.
The Things He Never Let Go tells the powerful story of a man confronting his past and caring for the father who once hurt him.
Students will read a compelling one-page narrative and respond through open-ended comprehension questions, a personal reflection box, and a structured reflective writing task. The activity is ideal for both English Language Arts and Social Emotional Learning integration.
What’s Included:
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1-page realistic narrative
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5 comprehension questions
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Connect-to-Your-Life reflection + student reflection box
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Reflective writing task with writing lines
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Answer key
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Teacher guide
Standards-Aligned:
RL.11–12.1, RL.11–12.2, RL.11–12.3 – Supporting textual analysis, theme, and character development
How It Helps Students:
Fosters empathy, encourages self-awareness, and builds analytical and writing skills
How It Helps Teachers:
Ready-to-use, no-prep resource suitable for classroom use, independent work, or small group discussion
Conclusion:
Use this high-impact story to connect literature with life—perfect for advisory, ELA, or SEL-driven lessons in upper high school.
