Tracing the Youngers

This sequencing worksheet is designed for students in Grades 8 and 9 to strengthen comprehension of plot structure, cause and effect, and thematic development through Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Learners arrange ten major events from the play in chronological order, tracing the Younger family’s journey and examining how each moment builds toward the play’s central conflicts and resolutions. A brief written reflection encourages students to think critically about how sequence shapes meaning.

Learning Goals

• Plot Sequencing & Narrative Structure (Grades 8-9)
  Students demonstrate understanding of how events unfold across the play.
• Cause-and-Effect Reasoning
  Learners analyze how one decision or event influences the next.
• Character Development
  Sequencing highlights how Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, and Lena evolve over time.
• Theme Analysis
  Reflection connects the order of events to themes of dreams, perseverance, family, and identity.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with middle school and early high school ELA standards.
• Clear, Structured Task
  Numbering events provides an accessible way to assess comprehension without extensive writing.
• Supports Deeper Discussion
  Reflection prompt prepares students for conversations about theme and character motivation.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for literature units, review, assessment prep, or independent practice.
• Printable & No-Prep
  Easy to implement in classroom or homeschool settings.

This Tracing the Youngers worksheet helps students build a coherent understanding of A Raisin in the Sun by mapping its key events and examining how sequence shapes character growth and thematic meaning. By organizing the play’s moments and reflecting on their impact, learners strengthen comprehension, critical thinking, and readiness for deeper literary analysis.

This worksheet is part of our A Raisin in the Sun collection.