Is the book, acclaimed Broadway musical, and Oscar-winning movie Wicked pop-uuu-lar among your students? We’ll bet it is, and you can use Infobase products to help use this phenomenon to teach your students about important themes in literature both in Wicked and in the novel it was based on, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Defy Gravity with Learn360
You can find lots of content in our K–12 multimedia resource library Learn360 that can help you explore the themes and literary connections and techniques around Wicked and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, including:
Literacy Skills and Standards 30-part series (Item #290878)
Grades: 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, Academic/AP
Show students what to look for when teaching about Wicked with videos in this series, which cover topics such as…
- Theme: Themes are the profound ideas that shape narratives and give insights into the human experience. Explore how authors subtly convey themes through plot, characters, and details, allowing you to relate universal messages to your own life.
- Making Connections Within the Text: One of the primary joys of reading is seeing yourself in a character or seeing world events mirrored in the plot of a book. This is called “making connections with texts,” and it increases enjoyment and enhances understanding as a reader.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary tool that lots of authors use to make complex ideas more accessible to readers. Explore how writers use objects, characters, and events as symbols in their work.
Popular Girls/Buster’s Growing Grudge (Arthur series) (Item #278780)
Grades: PreK–2, 3–5
Sue Ellen and Fern take a popularity quiz they find in a magazine for teenagers. They change their personalities to become more likable, but why does it seem no one likes them anymore?
Themes: Interconnection, acceptance and independence, bias, and prejudice
What Makes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz a Classic? (Literature Classics series) (Item #285523)
Grades: 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Published at the dawn of the 20th Century, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was far from a traditional children’s story. A feminist fairytale with a radical message, it struck a chord with readers across the United States.
Themes: Empowerment, resilience, perseverance, self-reliance, and self-discovery.
Literary Genres 17-part series (Item #290867)
Grades: 3–5
Teach students about the genres Wicked falls into with videos in this series, including…
- Fantasy: Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that whisks readers off to other worlds filled with magic and adventure. From The Lord of the Rings to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, explore some classics of the fantasy canon.
- Children’s Literature: Children’s literature is fiction created specifically to be read and enjoyed by young people. Explore the many forms it can take, what it teaches readers, and some of the finest examples, from Alice in Wonderland to Harry Potter.
- Allegory: Allegory is a form of literary fiction that uses symbolism to comment on actual events, people, or elements of the human condition. Explore its evolution and some of its finest authors who’ve used it.
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Thank Goodness for Bloom’s Literature
Bloom’s Literature contains a wealth of content on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and on the author of Wicked, Gregory Maguire. Log on to Bloom’s and try a search on “Wizard of Oz.” You’ll find:
- A variety of thematic and structural analyses of the novel
- A biography of L. Frank Baum
- Essay topic suggestions for writing about the novel and about Dorothy, the main character
- Analyses of the characters of Dorothy and of the Wizard
- Fascinating critical articles by scholars and early reviewers (available under the criticism tab)
- The complete eBook (Literary Classics)
- And more!
For an in-depth look at the author of Wicked, try searching on “Gregory Maguire.” Under the criticism tab, you’ll find multiple Q&As with the author in which he talks about his writing process, his love of fantasy and children’s literature, the origins of Wicked, and much more.
Subscribers: log into Bloom’s Literature and start using this content today!
Not a subscriber? Take a FREE trial today.
See also:
- FREE Literacy Guide: Using Learn360 in the Classroom
- FREE Theme and Summary Guide: Using Bloom’s Literature in the Classroom
- The Most Popular K–12 Programs of 2024
- Test Students’ Trivia Knowledge & Research Skills with Infobase
