Engaging Maze Runner Teaching Resources and Activities

Introducing Maze Runner to Your Students

The Maze Runner series by James Dashner has captured the imaginations of young adult readers everywhere. As an educator, these action-packed dystopian novels may offer opportunities to engage your students in learning. This article explores ideas and maze runner teaching resources to help you introduce the world of the Glade, the Grievers, and the maze trials into your classroom.

Overview of The Maze Runner

In The Maze Runner, teenager Thomas wakes up inside an enclosed space called the Glade with no memory of his past. He discovers a community of other teen boys who reveal he has been sent to the Glade as part of an ongoing social experiment. The boys must unlock the mysteries of the maze that surrounds the Glade if they ever hope to gain their freedom.

Discussion Questions

The Maze Runner series touches on themes of friendship, sacrifice, betrayal, and more. The fast-paced plot and compelling characters also make it very engaging for young readers. Here are some discussion questions you could explore:

• How do Thomas and the other boys work together to solve problems in the Glade?
• What motivations and characteristics does Thomas reveal as he navigates various trials?
• What social order or rules structure life in the Glade?
• How does Dashner build suspense throughout the novels?

Key Activities and Projects

Extend student engagement with maze runner teaching resources like these activity suggestions:

Mapping the Maze

Challenge students to create a detailed map of what they visualize as they read Dashner’s descriptions of the massive maze. They can compare their mental images to the illustrations included in the books.

Griever Design

Have students draw their own interpretation of thedangerous Grievers that inhabit the maze, labeling the anatomical weapons and defense mechanisms these creatures possess.

Glader Occupations

Ask small groups to describe important jobs like Track-Hoe, Slicer, or Med-Jack in the Glade. What duties might each entail? Groups can create short skits to demonstrate these roles.

Ethical Debates

Pose questions about the ethics behind WICKED's experiments. Is it ever justified to use people as test subjects without consent? How might the Gladers' community shed light on how governments should balance individual rights versus the greater good?

Additional Teaching Resources

You can enrich the connections students make with the maze runner teaching resources examples above. Some additional sources to further extend lessons include:

• The official Maze Runner movie website which includes an interactive maze game
• Scholastic’s discussion guide and activity sheets
• Young Adult dystopian novel curated lists on Goodreads

Fit to Your Classroom

Dashner’s Maze Runner series offers plenty of engaging content to explore with your students. Tailor the examples and maze runner teaching resources shared here to best suit your classroom’s interests, skill levels, and curriculum standards. Let the mysteries and challenges of the Glade inspire exciting learning adventures!

FAQs

How can the Maze Runner books meet curriculum standards?

Thematic elements in the novels can connect to curriculum standards for analyzing characters, understanding plot development, tracing dystopian elements in literature, evaluating ethical issues, and more. The books also inspire engaging projects for demonstrating skills.

What resources help teachers new to Maze Runner?

Good starting points are reading guides from the publisher Scholastic, the official movie website, author James Dashner's site, and teacher blogs/reviews. These provide helpful introductions to themes, characters, and ideas for lessons.

How graphic are descriptions of Grievers and violence?

As a young adult series, the books portray action/violence on a level suited for their target teen audience. Grievers and fights scenes are exciting but not overly graphic. Still, teachers should preview content just to be comfortable with what students encounter.

Can lessons appeal to struggling or reluctant readers?

Absolutely! The fast pacing, mystery, scaffolded science fiction elements, and emphasis on action and danger can deeply engage less enthusiastic readers. The books also lead to compelling activities like mapping, drawing, or debates to tap into different strengths.