PACE Commission Lesson Plan · Grades 9–12 · Social Studies & ELA

Harrison Bergeron — Reading & Civic Discussion

Kurt Vonnegut’s short story imagines a future where the government enforces total equality — with troubling results. High school students read “Harrison Bergeron” as a civic text, using close literary analysis to examine questions of equality, government authority, and individual responsibility. This lesson bridges ELA and Social Studies, helping students think critically about power and democratic values.