Anti-Defamation League
The Hate U Give
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas became a quick hit in the young adult literature genre before its adaptation in the 2018 film of the same name. Use a thorough lesson plan, discussion guide, and series of activities to discuss the social...
Curated OER
Exploring the Theme of Forgiveness
Help teens explore complex emotions through the true stories of historic and contemporary people.
Learning for Justice
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou's poem, "Still I Rise", offers young scholars an opportunity to consider how poets use literary devices to create powerful messages. After a close reading and discussion of the poem, class members reflect on how they can...
Curated OER
Define My Own Destiny: Using Arrested Development and Lauryn Hill to Teach Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun
Literary themes don't just belong to literature. High schoolers listen to the lyrics of modern songs by Arrested Development, Lauryn Hill, and others to enhance their study and to connect to characters, conflicts, and themes of Lorraine...
Weber County Library
Abstract Ideas Explored: Writing with Extended Metaphor
A 25-page packet includes eight detailed lesson plans centered around poems by Emily Dickinson. Each lesson begins with a burning question that high schoolers attempt to answer by using evidence from Dickinson's poems.
Spark Notes
Lord of the Flies by William Golding: Study Guide - Mini Essays
Reinforce themes and devices from William Golding's Lord of the Flies. An online interactive literature learning exercise prompts readers to respond to seven short answer and essay questions about the novel and its characters.
Curated OER
What is "The American Dream"?
Students read the story Marriage is a Private Affair and analyze the 'American Dream.' In this American Dream lesson, students free write about the American Dream. Students read the story and discuss the themes. Students write a letter...
Spark Notes
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this The Three Musketeers worksheet, learners analyze the novel as they answer study questions about the theme, plot, and characters of The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas.
Curated OER
The Idiot: Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics
In this The Idiot worksheet, students discuss setting, plot, and the motif of alienation, then analyze characterization and theme.
Curated OER
The Jungle: Study Questions and Essay Topics
In this The Jungle worksheet, students discuss the theme, symbolism, and political views presented in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Students construct essays related to the Sinclair's depiction of capitalism and socialism.
The New York Times
Teaching Orwell and '1984’ with the New York Times
Doublethink and alternate facts? Big Brother and Facebook? 1984 and 2019? Sales of 1984 have surged and so has the use of George Orwell's dystopian classic in classrooms. Whether new to teaching the novel or a seasoned veteran you'll...
Scholastic
Writing to a Historical Poet
Poetry is a very personal and introspective art form. Give your class the opportunity to understand how a poet's voice can speak to them on a personal level, and that every reader can respond to an author differently. After a poetic...
Scholastic
Selecting Favorite Poems From Historical Poets
Here is a poetry lesson that begins with a free-association activity focused on the word voice. Learners each sit alone for a moment and make sounds that express how they are currently feeling, and then turn to their partners to share...