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,...

If it’s in the news it must be true, right? Prompted by a New York Times article, class members consider the importance of accuracy in reporting and validating sources. The detailed plan includes warm-up exercises, discussion questions,...

Lead your class in an activity about word associations related to professions and gender. After reading a New York Times article, class members identify the roles of women in Kenya and how they are challenging tradition. In groups,...

What is family? Challenge your scholars to write an encompassing definition of what this word means to them. After reading "It May Be a Family Matter, But Just Try to Define Family," class members discuss the emotional issues surrounding...

Give examples of transitions and why they are necessary in writing. A bit verbose, this handout is very thorough and provides many examples. The second page lists plenty of transitional phrases in a convenient chart.

Examine the features that make a good children's television show and create a pitch for a new show based on these criteria. Writers then evaluate a currently broadcast show based on criteria discussed in class. The richly detailed plan...

To smoke or not to smoke in public places? Swift's "A Modest Proposal" launches an exploration of how to formulate a stance, develop cogent rationale, and adopt an appropriate tone for a presentation on contemporary issues of social...

Teach transitions with a handy worksheet. Learners fill in the correct transition word in each blank space using the provided word bank for each type of transition. This resource includes a comprehensive list of transition words and...

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...

This online multiple choice quiz focuses on upper-level grammar concepts. In addition to covering simple parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives, this resource also covers more advanced information, such as transitive vs....

How would it feel to be segregated because of your age or background? This journal launches a persuasive writing lesson that includes a study of persuasive essays and speeches written and delivered in the 20th century. Class members then...

Although designed to guide your class through Inspiration Software, this persuasive writing lesson has ideas and visuals that are useful independently. Approach persuasive speech and essay writing as a step-by-step process; interactive...

"How can a magazine reflect a particular time and culture?" Using this prompt, your class explores the Victorian Era as it relates to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. They can also play the "Victorian Women's Rights" game for the year 1840...

Writing a persuasive argument starts with a clear thesis. Using this resource, your class will write a persuasive paper on a conservation issue. They will then transform their argument into a 30-second public service announcement. If...

Focus on the writing traits of idea development and word choice in this Six-Trait lesson. Young learners examine the figurative language in "10:15 on Saturday Night” by the Cure, and write their own free verse poetry inspired by the...

Review the components of a well-written paragraph with your class. Be sure your writers include a topic sentence supported with main ideas and followed by a conclusion. Unity, coherence, and transition words are emphasized. Experiment...

After reading on the topic of their paper, high schoolers work in pairs to assess how to write powerful, precise thesis statements. The introduction contains three statements: a universal statement, a bridge statement, and a thesis...

Review the characteristics of a great process paragraph! Display the need for unity, transitions, and parts of a paragraph with the models included in this PowerPoint. After a first run through (with a model), use a student example to...

A micro-unit on the phase changes of water includes three laboratory activities. Junior scientists compare the densities of ice and water, and then they do the same for cold and warm water. They examine freezing and boiling temperatures....

Engage in an activity that focuses on the concepts of formal and informal language use. Middle and high schoolers compare and contrast each style by using a Venn diagram that includes some examples. They read and hear a passage of lyrics...

High school writers identify the purpose of both a topic sentence and a transitional statement. They write a topic sentence which denotes the paragraph topic and the author's stand on that topic. Then they write an effective transitional...

What are transitional words, and how does one use them in writing? Designed for high schoolers, this lesson plan encourages practice using transitional words in writing. Learners receive a handout of transitional words (which is really...

What is the missing link? Provide your class with this incomplete essay (it's missing transition words), and have writers place words from the transition word bank into the essay. Also, since only three of the five paragraphs are...

Brainstorming can be more than simply writing down a few ideas. Using the Inspiration Software program, learners visualize the process and learn about linking ideas to form logical relationships. Even without the program, there is still...