Read Works
Plymouth Colony
Read about the tumultuous beginning to the United States with an informational text passage about Colonial America. As young researchers peruse an article about the arrival of the Mayflower, the settlers' relationship to the neighboring...
Breaking News English
The World Is 0.28% More Peaceful Than a Year Ago
Some days, the world seems like it is becoming darker, but research suggests that the world might actually be becoming a more peaceful place. An informational reading passage accompanied by a series of activities builds English language...
University of Pennsylvania
Decoding Propaganda: J’Accuse…! vs. J’Accuse…!
Reading snail mail is a great way to go back into history and to understand others' points of view. The resource, the second in a five-part unit, covers the Dreyfus Affair. Scholars, working in two different groups, read one letter and...
Newseum
Quick Skim or Deep Dive? Picking the Right Search Strategy
To search online to find answers to some questions requires only a quick skim, while others demand deep research. Scholars engage in a lesson plan that teaches them the difference and how to craft questions that produce the best online...
The New York Times
New York Times Reading Log
Inspire your pupils to read the news and make connections between articles and another text, event, or experience with a straightforward reading log. Learners note down the article information at the top of the worksheet and then respond...
Spark Notes
I and Thou Study Guide: Questions and Answers
In this philosophy study, students respond to 4 short answer essay questions about Martin Buber's I and Thou. Responses to the questions are provided so that students may check answers.
College Board
Reading—Synthesis and Paired Passages
Good readers make connections between texts. The SAT regularly assesses the ability to make those connections using paired reading passages, a topic discussed in an official SAT practice lesson plan on synthesis. During the lesson,...
Cliffs Notes
The Diary of Anne Frank: Study Help Essay Topics
In this literature resource, learners are presented with 8 short answer and essay questions about The Diary of Anne Frank. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Sam Houston: A Study in Leadership
Learners read a short excerpt from a speech by Sam Houston and answer corresponding questions as well as engage in additional activities, including writing a persuasive essay and discussing topics in small groups. The resource helps lay...
Spark Notes
Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature instructional activity, students respond to 8 essay and short answer questions about Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples.
Maine Content Literacy Project
Understanding Theme
The ninth in a fourteen-lesson series, this plan marks a sort of midpoint in a unit devoted to the study of short stories. Pupils learn about theme and work on their short story projects by adding to their blogs, checking in with the...
Newseum
Is It News?
Is it news or not? That is the question young journalists must consider in a lesson about newsworthiness. Class members watch a short video that details five key characteristics of quality, credible news. Individuals then use these tips...
Spark Notes
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X Alex Haley
For this online interactive literature learning exercise, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
In this online interactive literature instructional activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about John-Paul Sartre's Nausea. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin: Study Guide - Mini Essays
For this online interactive literature worksheet, learners respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Benjamin Franklin's The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder: Study Guide - Mini Essays
Jump online (to Sparknotes), and check out the study questions listed for Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World. Provide a list of the questions to your high schoolers, and get them in groups to discuss their answers. Potential answers are...
Scholastic
Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz
Teenagers get the real information about marijuana use based on the history of tobacco legislation and research. As they read an educational passage about marijuana laws, science, and changing attitudes, they address their preconceptions...
Turabian Teacher Collaborative
My Favorite Martian: Workshopping Warrants
Sometimes explaining an argument can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Narrow down the details in written arguments with a group activity in which learners pretend to be aliens from another planet, struggling to understand each...
University of Pennsylvania
Mock Trial of Alfred Dreyfus
What if scholars based mock trials on history? The fourth installment of a five-part series on the Dreyfus Affair asks learners to read various pieces of evidence before conducting a mock trial for a French officer. Teams answer...
BBC
Words In The News: Japan Textbook Back In Spotlight
High-interest articles are a great way to get struggling readers to tackle difficult vocabulary. Here is a lesson that includes such an article. It is focused around a very interesting and controversial article about the teaching of...
Spark Notes
I and Thou Study Guide: Quick Quiz
In this online interactive philosophy quiz worksheet, learners respond to 25 multiple-choice questions about Martin Buber's I and Thou. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Speak Truth to Power
Dalai Lama: Free Expression and Religion
How is religious freedom connected to the conflict between China and Tibet? After reading an online passage of background information, your learners will divide into groups and both read and view an interview with the Dalai Lama. They...