These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel.

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”

Have you ever had a brief or one-time encounter with someone that deeply affected you? What did that person say or do that made an impact on you?

Teaching Suggestion: Mrs. Jones serves as a kind of mentor to Roger, but she is an unusual variation on the archetype in that she only speaks with him once. In real life, one-off encounters with strangers can have transformative effects, whether because they offer useful advice or in some other way challenge, move, or impress us. However, you can also use students’ responses to encourage a discussion of how we encounter literature—i.e., whether a story can play a similar role in changing someone’s life.  

• "Does reading fiction make us better people”: 2019 BBC article by Claudia Hammond discussing how fiction facilitates Empathy and changes behavior

Post-Reading Analysis

How does Roger change over the course of the story? What techniques does Hughes use to illustrate that change?

Teaching Suggestion: The brief and straightforward plot of “Thank You, M’am” provides a good opportunity for students to practice close reading. While the change Roger experiences—taking personal responsibility and reforming—is relatively simple to grasp, the ways in which Hughes communicates that change are subtler.