Robinson Crusoe

Objective

Students will read and analyze the opening chapter of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, identifying Crusoe's motivations, the conflict between him and his father, and how his decision to go to sea sets up the story's central conflict.

Materials

• Copies (or a shared screen) of "Chapter I—Start in Life" from Robinson Crusoe (provided text)
• Notebook paper or exit ticket handout
• Pencil/pen

Warm-up (~5 min)

Write this question on the board for students to answer silently in their notebooks:
"Has an adult ever given you advice you decided not to follow? What happened?"
Ask 2–3 volunteers to briefly share their answers aloud to get students thinking about the theme of ignoring advice, which they'll see in the reading.

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Introduce the text (2 min): Explain that students will read Chapter I of Robinson Crusoe, in which young Robinson Crusoe tells the story of his birth, his family, and his decision to leave home against his father's wishes.
2. Read aloud or round-robin (15 min): Read the chapter as a class, either aloud by the teacher/substitute or having students take turns reading paragraphs. Pause at these key moments to check understanding:
3. After the father's speech about the "middle station of life" — ask: "What is Crusoe's father telling him? Why does he think this life is best?"
4. After Crusoe's conversation with his mother — ask: "Why does Crusoe ask his mother for help instead of his father?"
5. After Crusoe boards the ship — ask: "What happens as soon as the ship leaves? How does Crusoe feel?"
6. Small group/pair discussion (8 min): In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and jot down answers to these questions (write on board):
7. Why does Robinson Crusoe want to go to sea?
8. What reasons does his father give for wanting him to stay home?
9. How does Crusoe describe his feelings once the storm begins?
10. Do you think Crusoe's father's prediction ("if he goes abroad, he will be the most miserable wretch that ever was born") will come true? Why or why not?

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students individually answer the following in a few sentences each, to be turned in:

1. Summarize in 2–3 sentences why Crusoe left home.
2. What does Crusoe's father mean by the "middle station of life"? Do you think it's good advice?
3. Predict: Based on the storm at the end of the chapter, what do you think might happen to Crusoe next?

If Time Remains

Have students find and copy down one sentence from the chapter that shows Crusoe feeling guilty or regretful about leaving home. Then have them rewrite that sentence in their own modern words.