Curated OER
Figurative Language
I have a pair of ducks; one can’t swim. Viewers are introduced to several literary terms (paradox, oxymoron, pun, irony, etc.) that are defined and illustrated with examples. Then they are asked to identify the figurative language used...
National Endowment for the Humanities
From Courage to Freedom
Learners analyze Frederick Douglass' narrative about Christianity and slavery. For this Frederick Douglass lesson, young scholars read his slave narrative and analyze its word choice, imagery, irony, and rhetorical appeals. Learners...
Curated OER
Allen Ginsberg: Poetry and Politics
Students explore the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. They read and analyze poems by Allen Ginsberg, conduct Internet research, collect examples of art of the 60s, and create a presentation.
Jackson School District
An Introduction to Satire
What is satire, and what are its characteristics? A handy handout provides young satirists with all the information they need to analyze a satire or to craft their own.
National WWII Museum
Dr. Seuss and WWII
What famous children's author and illustrator created World War II political cartoons featuring such subjects as fascism, the war effort, discrimination, and the dangers of isolationism? The who in this story is Dr. Seuss, and what...
Curated OER
Reading and Study Guide: Julius Caesar Act II
In this reading and study guide learners define vocabulary and literary terms found in Act II of Julius Caesar. Students also answer comprehension questions and find examples of literary terms in the reading.
Curated OER
Fractured Fairy Tales
Students use familiar characters, plots, and settings from traditional fairy tales to create "fractured" versions, while experimenting with satire, irony and parody. A fractured fairy tale is designed to be humorous by changing the story...
Curated OER
Quotation Marks
In this quotation marks worksheet, students learn the proper use of quotation marks. Students read the 6 primary functions and examples for each. Students write one sentence each to illustrate the 6 uses for quotation marks.
Curated OER
Study Guide: "The Cask of Amontillado"
In this study guide worksheet, students must define vocabulary words and literary terms used in "The Cask of Amontillado". Students must also cite examples of literary term usage and answer comprehension questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
A Sure Bet!
Ninth graders analyze Chekhov's "The Bet". They repsond to a journal quesiton and use examples from the novel. In groups, they take on different roles analyzing the novel and then write one of my prompts to complete the lesson.
EMC
The Inn of Lost Time Reader's Resource
Introduce "The Inn of Lost Time" by Lensey Namioka to your middle schoolers with a reader's resource page. It includes links to different activities, including a creative writing prompt about losing fifty years of your life, and a...
Curated OER
Short Stories Word Puzzle
In this word puzzle, students identify thirty four words related to elements of a short stories in a word puzzle. Examples include theme, symbol, rising action, and irony.
Curated OER
A Proper Role for Government - Seeking Perfection in an Imperfect World
Students discuss the proper role of government in the economy. Reviewing the foundations for a market economy to work properly, they decide how to best direct resources to get the most out of them. They distinguish between private and...
Curated OER
Poetry Book
Students study the following terms and concepts: word choice, dialect, invented words, concrete terms, abstract terms, figurative and sensory language. In cooperative groups, they select three of the terms, research them, and pick poems...
Curated OER
"The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson
Middle schoolers who are about to read the chilling tale, The Lottery, do some writing beforehand. They are asked to write how their lives would change if they won a huge lottery jackpot. Then, they read the short story, and will be...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing on Everyday Themes
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about social issues and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Character Education: Honesty
Students explore traits of honest communication. In this character development and communication lesson, students are given 6 simple statements and work as a group to alter the meaning of each statement through body language, facial...
Dream of a Nation
Writing a Narrative Essay
Imagine using narrative essays to encourage change. This multi-week unit plan does just that. After reading a series of articles from Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America, class members examine the...
Curated OER
Back to School: Style Analysis
Jump back into expository writing and analysis at the start of a new school year! Start with a review of an authors' stylistic choices in diction, syntax, treatment of subject matter, and figurative language. Writers choose a text to...
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Reading Literature - An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” Ambrose Bierce’s short story, is used to model how structural moves, the decisions an author makes about setting, point of view, time order, etc., can be examined to reveal an author’s purpose. Groups...
Curated OER
Rural Life During the Great Depression: A Year Down Yonder
“Anyone who thinks small towns are friendlier than big cities lives in a big city.” Mary Alice, the fifteen-year-old narrator of A Year Down Yonder, is forced to leave Chicago and spend a year with her Grandma Dowdel in a small rural...
Curated OER
Economic Goals and Measuring Activity
Explore the role of government in the economy market. Young scholars analyze the economic decision-making process and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits, and public awareness of what they are trying to accomplish....
Wake County Public Schools
Language
Have your class doing everything from reading literature, analyzing literary devices, identifying independent and dependent clauses, discussing, and writing creatively with the rich resource found here. After a mini lesson on independent...
Curated OER
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Essay Questions
After finishing the dense novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, have your class prepare for your unit test with this set of study questions. Consider narrowing the list down to encourage a deeper analysis of specific questions.