+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Identifying an author’s choice, especially choices that concern craft and literary devices, is a difficult skill to teach. Here's an activity that will make your job easier. The resource breaks down how to teach the skill to novice,...
+
Lesson Plan
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
There is nothing more frustrating than discussing theme in literature, and now the Common Core requires that your learners determine two or more, and discuss the development of it throughout the text. This is crazy, but manageable with...
+
Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
All the Common Core standards are important, but they all build off the ability to cite textual evidence to support analysis. See how to scaffold this standard into three steps of development, along with assessment ideas with the ideas...
+
Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.5

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
What would happen if I structured this review by beginning in the middle of it? Or by flashing back to the dinner I had last night that gave me bad heartburn, and then transitioned into how the lingering burn of acid seeped into my...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Minstrelsy: Exploring Racist Stereotypes in Literature and Life

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Satires may be designed to expose a bias to ridicule but if misunderstood can they reinforce that bias? Langston Hughes poem, “Minstrel Man” opens a discussion of racist stereotypes, the minstrel tradition, and the musical, “The...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Taming of the Shrew, Act 4.3, Study Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
Shakespeare can be a challenge to the most skilled high school readers. This selection of short answer questions helps increase understanding of the character, Katherine, by addressing dialogue, tone of voice, making inferences, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3 Reading and Study Guide

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Boost comprehension with an excellent reading guide for chapter 3 Of Mice and Men. Learners define four vocabulary words, note one allusion, define five literary terms, and respond to 31 short answer questions regarding the Steinbeck...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greed is Good?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
From Mr. Merdle to Mr. Madoff? A viewing of the PBS adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Little Dorrit” launches an examination of greedy characters in literature and a study of greed, unfairness, and economic hardship today. The richly...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Henry David Thoreau and Linda Ronstadt? Ann Tyler and Pete Townshend? Joyce Carol Oates and Pearl Jam? This richly detailed plan pairs classic literature with contemporary music and asks learners to analyze how the theme of conformity is...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Character Analysis and The Crucible

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Readers of The Crucible use a SATDO chart to collect evidence they will use to craft interpretive statements and an analysis of one of Miller’s characters. Background information on the play and about Miller, links to handouts,...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elena by Diane Stanley

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This story is bound to motivate your class. Learners read a story called Elena by Diane Stanley. The story is about a young woman who marries for love but is soon widowed during the Mexican Revolution. She takes her children to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Your Son, Your Only One" - The Sacrifice of Isaac as a Motif in Holocaust Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Class groups examine a series of poems that use Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac as a motif in Holocaust poetry. Included are questions, notes to the teacher, and bibliographical information on each poem. The activities could be...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Scarlet Letter Vocabulary Words--Set 2--Choose Cards

For Students 9th - 12th
Here is a fun way to study vocabulary from The Scarlet Letter. Learners review 35 vocabulary words from the novel by matching and the correct term to definition. Tip: Have the class engage in vocabulary practice prior to reading the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Scarlet Letter Vocabulary Words--Set 1--Flash Cards

For Students 9th - 12th
Now this is a cool way to study vocabulary. Kids can click on the EZ Flash Cards to revile definitions, test themselves, or prep for reading. The vocabulary on these flash cards are all taken from the Nathaniel Hawthorne tale, The...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two Truths and a Lie: Internet Research Skills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
It's tough for high schoolers to assess what is a credible resource and what is not. A helpful resource prompts class members to research a particular topic and record two facts—and create one lie—while documenting the sources. They then...
+
Organizer
Curated OER

Reading Study Guide: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

For Students 8th - 11th
Meant for use with Maya Angelou's first autobiographical volume I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the materials here are designed for a homeschool setting, but they'd suit any classroom or text. Graphic organizers, chapter summary guides,...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasive Speech in Julius Caesar

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After reading Julius Caesar 1.2 and 1.3, break your class into pairs for this role-play. Each pair will receive one of four prompts (or more, if you create additional examples), in which one person tries to persuade the other to do...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tell-Tale Hearts of Writers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Knock, knock, knock...Creep out your class with a critical thinking lesson plan focused on word relationships in Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." They investigate  the relationship between word choice, mood, and interpretation of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Knights of the Round Table adapted by Gwen Ross

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Everyone loves the tales involving King Arthur and his knights. After reading Knights of the Round Table by Gwen Gross, learners draw inferences and conclusions, analyze story elements, and discuss figurative language, including...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Take my Advice": Poems with a Voice

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
Discuss the meaning of the phrase tone of voice with the class. They respond to a variety of scenarios where a particular tone would be prevalent. They then read "Mother to Son" without knowing the title and answer some questions about...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Irony in "The Gift of the Magi"

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Use O. Henry's ubiquitous tale of love and poverty to explore irony. After reading the story, middle schoolers identify examples of all three kinds of irony in the story. With partners, they brainstorm original examples of irony. Then...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compare and Contrast Poems vs. Lyrics

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Combine your pupils' love of music with their growing knowledge of poetry! First, have them bring in their favorite songs for a discussion on word choice and literary devices. Then, use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The News Behind the Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What a fun way to analyze plot, setting, and character. Learners review story elements, read a short fictional story, then turn the events of that story into a headlining news paper article. Not only does this lesson engage critical...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Scarlet Letter Vocabulary Words--Set 1

For Students 9th - 12th
Kids can practice using vocabulary from The Scarlet Letter as they play a vocabulary memory game based on words and definitions taken from the novel. They click to match words to definitions.