Memoirs Lesson Plans

Students analyze how personal diaries and memoirs record actual events. They compare and contrast diaries and memoirs from the Holocaust. They engage in journal or diary writing as a way to explore one's own feelings and self.

Students read and analyze two narrative memoirs. They write an essay, read a novel, develop a story map, create character charts, compare/contrast story maps, and match character descriptions with the characters.

In this memoir activity, students write their own memoirs based on a memory they have. Students first discuss chapter one of the book Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli, and talk about the memoir created. Then they create their own, and focus on word choice.

Students create a memoir or poem about their favorite person or pet. In this favorite person or pet lesson plan, students also scan in pictures to PowerPoint and create a presentation about this person or pet as well.

Seventh graders analyze how personal diaries and memoirs record actual events.  In this World History lesson, 7th graders compare and contrast diaries and memoirs from the Holocaust.  Students write as a way to explore one's own feelings and self.

Encourage your middle schoolers to share their memories of a recent event. After reading a New York Times article, they discuss Elie Wiesel's memoir, Night. They write their own memoir about a significant event that affected their school or community. Using the internet, they gather evidence that supports their view and writes a final draft of their memoir.

Love this lesson plan! This activity takes writing a memoir to the next level. Pupils listen to a story from The New York Times, bring in a picture which is meaningful to them, and use it to create a project about their life. Within the lesson plan, there are questions and resources designed to make this activity a critical-thinking experience.

Learners sharpen their writing skills. In this writing strategies lesson, students read selected memoirs and then write their own.

Young scholars analyze and identify elements of memoirs.  In this literature instructional activity students explore qualities to listen for while the teacher reads a memoir; they then break into groups and analyze a memoir independently.

Seventh graders explore the life of Gandhi using his autobiography and memoir. In this Gandhi exploration lesson, 7th graders analyze Gandhi's literary voice by reading his autobiography. Students identify literary techniques in Gandhi's writing and apply the techniques to complete their own memoirs in a writer's workshop.