Young scholars examine several examples of similes and metaphors, stating what is being compared. Then each student chooses a different person from the Civil War era and writes similes and metaphors that describe that person.

Building on the previous activity in this series of lesson seeds, this plan focuses on the use of dialect in Theodore Taylor's novel, The Cay. Class members examine specific lines of text, use their reading journals to respond to the...

Look back at the third chapter of The Cay with your class. Pupils will conduct a close reading, taking a second look at a chunk of text and responding to a series of text-dependent questions. Wrap up with an analytical writing prompt...

How do people solve problems in healthy ways? Writers explore a topic of interest in their multi-genre writing assignment exploring Zach's Lie. The final resource in a series of seven includes multiple scaffolds and organizers for...

For this euphemism worksheet, learners study about this writing convention. Students guess what 5 euphemisms mean, then complete some writing and evaluating questions about euphemisms.

They always say to write what you know. This approach is used to get middle schoolers prepared to write novels of their own. Using a favorite book as a model, potential novelists respond to prompts that ask about characters, plot, main...

It's time for your scholars to become book reviewers! Start with a fun review of foods: are they good or gross? Learners apply these evaluation techniques to books, recording their thoughts on large pieces of butcher paper. Simply have...

Students listen to poetry and discuss the imagery. They write a creative poem demonstrating imagery. They write about imagery of a picture and visit a website to read poetry tips. They evaluate poetry using an evaluation form.

Students watch a video, view websites, and discuss the Chinese Exclusion Act that took place on Angel Island. For this Chinese exclusion act lesson plan, students discuss the interrogations that went on and fill out worksheets bout the...

Get your kids moving as they learn about the history of the United States National Anthem. Scholars examine the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, and the meaning behind The Star Spangled Banner as they listen to an 18-minute...

Students study and interpret Chinese art to find its symbolism, or the "hidden meanings" in this middle level lesson well suited for the Language Arts or Art classroom. An enrichment activity is included that allows each student to write...

Students create art scrolls in the Chinese style using individual examples of landscape pictures and poetry in this lesson for the middle-level Language Arts, Social Studies, or Art classroom.

Students view and analyze "Still Life," by Cornelis de Heem. They answer discussion questions about the painting, write similes, discuss symbolism, create a still life sketch, and create a paint box poem.

Students explore biology by researching birds in class. In this raven identification lesson, students utilize the Internet to identify the anatomy, habits and habitat of ravens. Students write descriptive paragraphs about ravens and read...

The crossroads, and the decisions made and entities met there, are a common theme in literature, pushing readers to examine the choices and encounters that shape life experience. The theme has also been explored in blues music, most...

Students discover how historical events led to the stories of King Arthur and his Court. Students read stories about chivalry and the Round Table, discuss the Holy Grail's symbolism, and role-play an Arthurian character.

Students see how poets use words to paint pictures. The combination of a big snowstorm and hands-on materials make this lesson successful. There are some nice attachments that the students will really enjoy!

Students create a dictionary of vocabulary after reading a story. Individually, they create a story web making sure to include all of the basic story elements. They also create a timeline and write a book report of all important events.

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning activity, students study the works of well-known philanthropists and write an acrostic poem using the word CARING.

Students examine lives that have been lived for the positive good of others. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss famous philanthropists and what they have in common. Students define philanthropy, discuss what caring means and...

Young scholars create what they feel is American Culture using a video camera and capturing 5 frames. They are animating parts of a poem in small groups. They decide the set up, create movable figures, and have a music section. Each...

Middle schoolers get up close and personal with Black Bayou Lake. Visiting web sites and taking virtual tours, they write multi-paragraph essays using descriptive words and literary devices.

Students identify elements of persuasive writing. Students discuss writing strategies and topics. They participate in pair and share activities. Students write a persuasive letter.