372: Teaching Long Way Down? Flash Verse, Colorful Character Analysis, and Outside-the-Box Discussions

The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast | ELA

If you’re teaching Long Way Down (and ready for some Long Way Down lesson plan ideas!), let me just start by saying “YAY!”

It’s a reader-maker, an incredible book you can teach in a short time with a high impact.

Today, I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite ideas and resources for you to pair with this book. We'll talk about discussion formats, project ideas, Jason Reynolds-themed multimedia waiting around the web, and a creative writing pairing that I think you're going to love too.

Heads up, as I’m sure you’re aware, this book does have some language. You may need to give a heads up to parents, depending on your school community. But you can, at the same time, mention the Walter Award, Coretta Scott King Award, Printz Award, Newberry Honor Book Award, etc. Maybe throw in the fact that the Library of Congress named him the national ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Here's a quick peek at the visuals available in the FULL BLOG POST: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2025/04/long-way-down-lesson-ideas.html.

Discussion Option: Hexagonal Thinking

Discussion Option: Silent Discussion on the Walls

Activity Option: Flash Verse Creative Writing

Activity Option: The Open Mind for Character Analysis

Links to Explore:

• One example of conversations happening in Creative High School English about Long Way Down in our Book Brackets
• Dear, Dreamer documentary about Jason Reynolds
• Long Way Down graphic novel opening
• There was a Party for Langston read aloud
• Ain't Burned all the Bright trailer
• Jason Reynolds on working with artist Danica Novgorodoff
• Long Way Down Curriculum