Literature Lesson Plans

By working in groups, young historians will review a war poem written by Stephen Crane. After reviewing the poem, they present an oral interpretation of the poem and hold a panel discussion about the interpretation. The panel is made up of five or six experts who will present on the literature, the author, and a moderator.

Using the novel, "Bridge to Terabitha," along with this literature guide, readers will be able to analyze and respond to each chapter of the novel.  Through independent practice, small group work, and class discussion, will allow learners to gain an insightful understanding of the themes presented in the novel.

 "Shiloh" activities and response to literature are the key focus areas of this literature guide. This time saving guide will allow readers to focus on each chapter in an in depth way. Tip: Great time saver!

This lesson has learners respond to literature. In this literary critique lesson, learners discover critique strategies as they employ their knowledge of literary elements to role-play the part of a literary critic reviewing a selected piece of literature.

Learners explore the concept of literature circles.  In this literature circles lesson, learners form cooperative groups and select a novel of interest.  Learners read and respond to the novel as a group, recording answers together and individually. 

This lesson has students explore literature genres. In this literature lesson, students work in small groups and are assigned one genre to investigate. This lesson has students create a poster about that genre, including the characteristics and examples of books from the genre.

Students relate literary works and authors to the major themes of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 20th century. Working in groups, they evaluate period philosophy, religion, and politics that influenced characters, plots, and settings. Students give Powerpoint presentations that include slides, recitations, and important works of their assigned period.

Students choose a novel based on the Civil War. They discuss the roles of the members of a Literature Circle and then participate in various discussion and writing activities following the novel they choose.

This lesson has students read excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "American Scholar" address and analyze passages from American literary works. In this American literature lesson, students discuss three quotations from the text and read excerpts from the address. This lesson has students work in groups to read chapters from different American authors and prepare a report to give their class for the passages. This lesson has students write a critique as Emerson.

7th graders examine the themes that recur in young adult literature. In this theme lesson, 7th graders complete a pre-assessment that shows their knowledge of theme in contemporary television, movies, and books. They learn the associated vocabulary and read literature from an assigned list to develop their understanding of theme. They take a post-assessment.