Curated OER
Exploring War Themes in Art and Poetry
What is war? High schoolers discuss the ethical dilemma of war by viewing Picasso's painting entitled "Guernica" and write down everything they see in the painting. Then they choose one emotion that best summarizes their emotional...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: Images of Faulkner and the South
Learners research one aspect of the life of Faulkner and the culture of the South. In this As I Lay Dying instructional activity, learners explore a webpage on Faulkner and write a summary. Learners analyze the images and consider the...
Curated OER
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
For this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 15 short answer and essay questions based on Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Students may also access an online quiz on the selection using the link at the...
Curated OER
W.W. Jacob's "The Monkey's Paw" Theme
Students identify the theme of "The Monkey's Paw" and relate it to prior knowledge. In this "The Monkey's Paw" lesson, students discuss fate and coincidence and debate which one controls destiny. A test is chosen as the winner based on...
Curated OER
Focus On Figurative Language in Prose
Students examine the use of literary prose in the story, "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed." In this literary prose activity, students investigate the use of imagery, metaphor, and simile in the story. They tell how author's purpose is...
Curated OER
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Students complete close reading and analysis activities for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In this literature analysis instructional activity, students complete multiple close reading and analysis activities to evaluate the 19th century...
Curated OER
Shakespeare, Macbeth: Characterization and Theme
In this literary elements worksheet, students read Shakespeare's Macbeth and then respond to 13 short answer questions about the characters and themes in the play.
Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Students write a literary response essay to Maya Angelou's novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this literary response lesson, students complete pre-writing activities, discuss the rubric for the essay, and visit the given websites...
Curated OER
Japanese Poetry: Tanka? You're Welcome!
Students analyze Japanese tanka poetry. In this Japanese poetry lesson, students identify analyze the structure of tanka poetry. Students complete the activities at the given links for the lesson and compose two tanka poems.
Curated OER
Beowulf
Students read selections from Beowulf and summarize the poetry selections in their own words. Students discuss the poem, then create a modern version of Beowulf by using their own words and their own poetic form.
Curated OER
The Individual and His Role in Society
Tenth graders discover how various writers approach the themes of : alienation and solitude, living life "deliberately" and "phonies." Through reading, journaling, class discussion, and writing assignments they realize the power of the...
Curated OER
"The Home Secretary Resigns"
In this grammar worksheet, students read the short article "The Home Secretary Resigns" and fill in the gaps using the correct form of the word given in bold.
Curated OER
Focus on Figurative Language in Prose and Poetry
Young scholars place emphasis on the use of figurative language when analyzing prose and poetry. In this figurative language lesson, students explore the tone of a story and its imagery. Young scholars read and discuss how the author...
Curated OER
Characterization Group Search
In this characterization learning exercise, learners identify the traits harbored by a character in a work of literature. Students work cooperatively to locate proof that the character exhibits these traits and then vote on the accuracy...
Curated OER
Cinderella: an Adaptation
Students create a list of characteristics for the heroine of a fairy tale and discuss ways these images affect behavior and self-esteem. In this, The House on Mango Street gender equity instructional activity, students identify common...
Curated OER
Author’s Purpose
In this literary elements activity, students respond to 18 short answer and multiple choice questions regarding the author's purpose in "A World Made Beautiful by Dzine."
Curated OER
My Papa's Waltz Questions
In this poetry discussion worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the content and features of the poem "My Papa's Waltz," by Roethke.
Curated OER
Performances of Lear's Speeches
Students engage in a lesson which gives them an introduction to the text, as a way to compare and contrast the lesson learned at the end of the play. They utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to interpret what Lear is saying.
Curated OER
Literature Review
Young scholars review for a literature exam by answering knowledge question, interpretation questions and judgement questions about a novel or story they have just read.
Curated OER
True and Honorable Wives?
Students discuss whether men or women are smarter. They divide into groups and review Act 2 of Julius Caesar and look for incidents of characters reading or mis-reading "signs", and making either wise or foolish decisions.