The Lighthouse Family: book one

Lesson Focus: character development

Cynthia Rylant’s first book in the Lighthouse Family series tells the story of Pandora, a cat who keeps a lighthouse, and Seabold, an old sea dog who washed ashore on Pandora’s beach. While Pandora is committed to helping save lives by maintaining the light on the lighthouse, she longs for the company of others. When Seabold washes up, Pandora has a rare opportunity to make a lasting friendship. It is through witnessing Pandora’s courage and determination, that Seabold, ever the wanderer, finally sees that living for his own interests is less than fulfilling. Both characters effect a change on each other as their characters develop. 

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing the story elements with photocopies of some of the illustrations from the book. You will want to make copies or quick sketches of the main characters, and key narrative moments and have these ready before you begin the lesson. After some basic discussion questions, your students will fill out a Reader’s Journal page, which will set them up well for an optional written response activity. The lesson will finish out with some hands-on exploration of lights and mirrors as you talk about how lighthouses work.