"Animal Farm" is one of my favorite novels. Perhaps it’s because the novel illustrates what the world might be like if the human and animal roles were reversed. I think it’s the perfect text to use to instruct students on the consequences of achieving the “perfect” society. As you and your stude...
As a teacher, I am continually searching for new ideas and techniques that will improve my instruction and student performance. Furthermore, teachers are continually told to incorporate alternative methods beyond lecture and technology. Using art (student crafted or genuine) in your lessons not o...
"Planet of the Apes" by Pierre Boulle is quickly becoming a staple of the high school English curriculum. Although English teachers find the book a riveting story filled with social commentary, the average high school student, however, often finds the story quite tedious to read.
There are sev...
Many assignments within any poetry unit often involve students creating their own works. When given, these projects can spark fear and dread. However, there are methods and activities that can ease student anxiety about presenting/sharing personal expression with their peers. One technique commo...
Students often feel hesitant to read chapter books because they feel intimidated by the size of the works. There are ways, however, to inspire children to read more challenging texts. An easy way to do this is to assign book reports of a less traditional kind. Teachers can allow students to choos...
Lessons about sentence structure have always been about as exciting as watching paint dry. And, I think it’s safe to say that these lessons are not too exciting for students, either. Unfortunately, for students to be successful in and out of the classroom, it’s a necessary evil. In my experience...
Most students discover similes and metaphors in elementary or middle school. That’s not to say that high school students are adept at identifying or using either. It is important to periodically review each in any literature class that requires writing. Here are some ways to review and practice s...
I once taught a twelfth grade English class that addressed how language can be a method to exert power over others. The essential questions we explored were how those in power, the government, media, and companies, can influence the behavior and decisions of society. Essentially, the course outli...
When designing curriculum, the focus should not merely be on state standards and best practices. Student interests and plausible reliability must also be considered. It is one thing for the text to have literary and technical merit, but if students cannot connect with the story, the unit will not...
Every school district has different requirements for writing. Some districts outline requirements within course curriculum, whereas others rely upon the individual teacher to determine what type of writing is appropriate for the students and appropriate for the demands of the course. One constan...
John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath” can be a difficult novel to teach with its complex themes and characters. However, Steinbeck’s novels often resonate with students because of his realistic characterization and honest portrayal of human nature. The themes of poverty and the pursuit of...
If you have read any of my previous commentaries, you would know by now how I feel about the evolution of “best practices.” Today, it is believed that to be an effective teacher, we must incorporate new ideas and technology to fully prepare our students. I enthusiastically believe that to achieve...
Practically every short story unit includes literature from Edgar Allan Poe. Most students are familiar with Poe’s reputation, or at least recognize “The Raven” as one of his most famous works. But Poe's works are diverse, and can enhance any literature unit. Take your class bey...
In most high school curriculums, "Lord of the Flies" will be listed as a required book. Although, at first, students might read the title and a short summary and think they know what the book will be about, they soon find out there is much more to this story. Once they have read through the firs...
As an English teacher, it is sometimes a challenge to create interesting and engaging lessons. I have found that the key to this task is not just knowing the topic, but knowing the students. A solid relationship with the students can help teachers to build lessons that students can not only relat...
When I tell my students that we are going to start a lesson about descriptive writing, I am usually met with some complaints. In my experience, unless a student spends a lot of free time writing, or is on the newspaper, or writes for a literary magazine, this type of lesson can be absolutely terr...
Whenever a teacher mentions poetry, students often respond with moans and groans. However, there are a lot of fun and interactive lessons that can help students transition from poetry being all about rhyme and meter to an expression of free-flowing emotion and ideas.
One such activity is a “poet...
Analogies are one of the most difficult concepts to teach students. In an analogy, students must infer the relationship within and between the words presented. They use their prior experiences, intuition, creativity, perception and much more to determine this relationship. The following analogy ...
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Analogy Lesson Plans That Make Connections
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