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Scythe Lesson Plans | Entire Novel Study

scythe by neil shusterman complete nove study

This is the perfect introductory lesson for any teacher beginning a novel study on Scythe by Neal Shusterman.

Begin with the anticipation guide included. An anticipation guide is a comprehension strategy that is used before reading to activate students’ prior knowledge and build curiosity about a new topic.

In this lesson, students will respond to several claims by indicating if they agree or disagree with that said statement. Next, students will work collaboratively in groups to answer related discussion questions to further build anticipation about the novel before reading.

Lastly, teachers will familiarize students with important concepts from the novel using the Powerpoint Presentation in this resource. The notes include author background information, the dystopian, utopian, and coming-of-age genres, and a preview of upcoming themes.

Students will use a guided notes worksheet to copy necessary notes as well as participate in important discussions about the lesson.


If you are working on a novel study for Scythe by Neal Shusterman, these Vocabulary Lists, Practice Activities, and Quizzes will work perfectly for you!

There are 7 sets of vocabulary words, divided by chapters, with 10-15 words in each section, totaling 96 words.

Each SET is divided by the following chapters:

  1. Chapters 1-5
  2. Chapters 6-11
  3. Chapters 12-17
  4. Chapters 18-23
  5. Chapters 24-29
  6. Chapters 30-36
  7. Chapters 37-40

Included in this resource:

  • Blank Vocabulary Charts for Students to fill in
  • Powerpoint Presentation with words, parts of speech, definitions, synonyms, and example sentences—for teaching purposes
  • Corresponding practice activities for every section (fill in the blank)
  • Quizzes or Additional Practice for every section (multiple choice, matching, and write-your-own-sentence)
  • Answer Keys

While completing a novel study for Scythe by Neal Shusterman, have your students answer reading comprehension questions for every chapter!

Included are over 140 questions divided by every chapter, which delve into character motives, themes, symbols, and essential plot details. The questions are a combination of literary analysis and reading comprehension.

Detailed answer keys are provided for all questions. You can print this resource as one all-encompassing packet or you can provide students with sections at a time, as the novel is broken into 5 Parts.

This resource includes the following formats:

  • READY TO PRINT Student Copy of Questions (PDF)
  • EDITABLE Copy of Questions (Word Document)
  • ANSWER KEY TEACHER COPY of Questions with Answers (PDF)

Enhance your novel study with quizzes designed for Scythe by Neal Shusterman. This resource includes five quizzes, each containing 15 questions, to thoroughly assess students’ understanding of the novel.

Quizzes are editable and answer keys are included! (Provided in printable PDF and editable Word formats.) Questions encompass both multiple choice and true/false.

The quizzes are divided by the following 5 parts:

Part One: Robe and Ring

Part Two: No Laws Beyond These

Part Three: The Old Guard and the New Order

Part Four: MidMerican Fugitive

Part Five: Scythehood

This resource is ideal for assessments, homework, or review!


Have your students analyze characters from Neal Shusterman’s Scythe in a fun and engaging way: Character Collabs!

Your students will use several characterization methods to depict each character’s profile, demonstrate their understanding of the literature, and present their final work on a beautiful poster.

This Body Biography Project is a hands-on approach to learning that enhances retention and inspires students to tap into their creativity.

Students will engage with the novel on a deeper level, encouraging thinking critically, making inferences, and fostering empathy. Additionally, they will learn the importance of collaboration and effective communication.

There are 9 characters from the novel included in this resource:

  1. Scythe Faraday
  2. Scythe Goddard
  3. Scythe Curie
  4. Scythe Rand
  5. Scythe Chomsky
  6. Scythe Volta
  7. High Blade Xenocrates
  8. Rowan
  9. Citra

This resource includes the following:

  • Teacher Guide
  • Student Directions
  • Rubric
  • Brainstorm Character Analysis Worksheet
  • Blank Coloring Pages for each character
  • Answer Keys
  • Example of Final Project for Scythe Goddard
  • Digitally Colored Examples for every character
  • Editable documents: directions, rubric, brainstorm worksheet

After reading Scythe by Neal Shusterman, have your students choose their own Patron Historic and conduct research on the luminary of their choice.

Students will first work with the Patron Historics already included in the novel. Such as: Anastasia Romanov, Marie Curie, Michael Faraday, Mao Zedong, Nelson Mandela, Alessandro Volta, Noam Chomsky, Ayn Rand, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and MORE.

Next, students will brainstorm what their own Patron Historic would be if they were to be ordained as a scythe. Additionally, they will consider what color(s) robes they would wear.

Lastly, teach students about the 5 paragraph essay using the PowerPoint presentation included. Students will write an engaging and thought-provoking essay that blends personal reflection with thorough research.

This resource includes the following:

1) Patron Historic Worksheet with over 20 names to research from the novel (editable and printable)

2) Patron Historic Answer Key

3) PowerPoint Lesson on how to write a research essay

4) Scythe Patron Historic Essay Prompt and Requirements (editable and printable)

5) Brainstorm Worksheet/Graphic Organizer for Essay

6) Patron Historic Essay Rubric (editable and printable)


This resource includes 25 in-depth literary analysis questions based on the novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman.

Have your students work in groups to answer the questions or host a Socratic Seminar! A Socratic Seminar is a student-led, formal discussion, based on a text. The conversation focuses on rigorous and thoughtful dialogue amongst classmates.

This resource has everything you need for a Socratic Seminar: directions/guidelines, rubric, discussion questions, and a reflection for students. The expectations for students include: preparation, respect, thoughtful communication, literary analysis, and participation (speak at least 3 times).

Through this seminar, students improve their critical thinking, social-emotional, and speaking and listening skills. They also learn to work cooperatively and respectfully!

All of the products in this resource are available as “ready to print” (PDFs) and “editable” (word documents). Answer key also included.


In this fun activity, students will consider what a film adaption of the novel Scythe will look like and who will be cast to play the most important roles!

Analyzing a hypothetical film adaptation of Scythe can deepen students’ understanding of the novel, foster critical and creative thinking, and build anticipation for the film that hopefully will be completed soon!

Students must critically evaluate which scenes are most crucial to the story and how they could be effectively portrayed on screen.

If done in groups, this activity fosters collaboration and communication among students.

By considering how a book might be adapted into a film, students learn about the differences between literary and visual storytelling.


Have your students share their unique understanding of the novel Scythe by imaginatively blending their written ideas with colorful images based on information from the story.

With this one-pager reading comprehension projectstudents will analyze the literature by determining theme, symbolism, conflict, important quotes and more. Students’ artwork make for unique and creative analyses of the literature and also make great bulletin boards!

Included in this purchase is:

  • Student Directions
  • Holistic Rubric
  • Example one-pager based on the novel: Scythe by Neal Shusterman
  • 10 Templates (printable &optional)
  • Editable word document (so teachers have the ability to modify the assignment)

Your students are going to love deciphering and solving puzzles in this 360° digital escape room based on the novel Scythe. This activity is designed to work for a laptop, tablet, or smart phone.

Students will solve a series of clues based on the YA dystopian novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman. This game entails reading comprehension skills, finding textual evidence, and making inferences. It’s the perfect addition to your Scythe novel study.

Included in this download are teacher instructions, student instructions, the master lock graphic organizer, answer keys, printable clues, and a reflection sheet (optional).

Check out these fun Escape Room Photo Props to make the experience complete!


This resource includes 8 Full Weeks of content for the novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman.

Additionally, in this UNIT PLAN BUNDLE, you will receive a teacher guide that encompasses the estimated reading times for every chapter, and an example Unit Schedule/ Pacing Guide.

You can purchase each lesson individually (listed below) or save money and get the bundle.

Discover why Scythe is recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 best young adult novels of all time!


This resource includes 8 Full Weeks of content for the novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman.

Additionally, in this UNIT PLAN BUNDLE, you will receive a teacher guide that encompasses the estimated reading times for every chapter, and an example Unit Schedule/ Pacing Guide.

You can purchase each lesson individually (listed below) or save money and get the bundle.

Discover why Scythe is recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 best young adult novels of all time!

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