“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
Developed by Dawn Stamper
Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek
Senior Language Arts
Grade Level: 12
Summary
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one of the best-selling books in history. The story of Santiago, the shepherd boy, on a journey to realize his “Personal Legend”, has inspired people all over the world to live their dreams. In this lesson, the teacher, Dawn Stamper, uses this book and the struggles of two artists presented by Muse Machine to demonstrate that the achievements are sweet, but the struggle gives them deeper meaning and real happiness. Other teachers can use this lesson to inspire them to seek meaning for students from the everyday struggles of all of us.
Student Performance Tasks
In his book The Alchemist, Coelho states that “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extra-ordinary; only wise men are able to understand them. In this lesson students will learn to look at simple things in a new way in order to gain new or deeper meaning.
Part One- Seeing the simple as something more
The first part of the lesson will be a simple improvisation game.
This game stimulates imagination by encouraging multiple answers for the same question.
To begin, students stand in a circle. The teacher shows the prop to the students, saying “what could this prop be?” Students then pass it around the circle, turning the prop into something and stating what it is. It can be anything except what it truly is.
Once students are comfortable with the concept we will do the same activity but this time in pairs. Two students will come to the front of the class and be given a simple object or prop. They will then proceed to create a scene using the prop as whatever they can imagine it to be other than what it truly is.
Part Two- Making the simple into something extra- ordinary
Each student will randomly select a “simple” item from the box. They will then use the provided art supplies to create something extra- ordinary from their simple item. They must assign some kind of meaning to their project and be prepared to explain their “wisdom”.
Part Three- Simplistic Wisdom
Produce a written response which depicts how Coehlo’s quote, “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extra-ordinary; only wise men are able to understand them” can be applied to your life. Choose something or some concept that is “simple” yet valuable to you. Explain specifically why/ how the item or concept is simple yet valuable and how you came to your understanding, wisdom, or enlightenment about the item or concept.
Non-Arts Discipline
English Language Arts
Content Statement
Enduring Understandings:
• Students will discover that it is the simple things in life that often provide the most meaning.
• Students will learn the difference between concrete and abstract, and create meaning of their own from that which is not definite.
Strand/Process
CCS W.11-12.3 (A,B,C,D,E) RL 11-12.4
Essential Questions
Is it possible to give a simple concrete thing or idea multiple, abstract meanings?
Content Elaborations
Students will learn:
• To think abstractly
• To verbalize their imagination
• Give meaning to the simple
Expectations for Learning
Students will demonstrate this learning by:
• Improv
• Visual art
• Writing
Instructional Strategies
Students will be engaged and supported in learning by:
• Group work and paired learning
Assessment (Pre and/or Post)
Students will know how well they are learning by:
• Verbal praise and/or criticism
• Assesment of writing using a rubric with samples
Materials & Resources
Materials list for Teachers:
• The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
• Visits with and presentations by Muse MAchine artists Justin Howard and Scott Gibbs
Materials list for Students:
• The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
• Various art supplies
Key Vocabulary
Improvisation
Abstract
Concrete
Career Connections
• Acting
• Writing
• Art
Diverse Learners
• We will start in a circle so everyone participates together, then move to pairs.
Interdisciplinary Connections
• This lesson could easily fit into a Psychology, Art, ELA, and Performing Arts Making connections
Technology Connections
• “10 Powerful Life Lessons from the Alchemist”
Home/At Work Connections
• Students will complete a short written essay connecting their performance, art piece, and the quote from Coehlo.