Curated OER
Cluing into Symbols Robert Frost
Learners use the Internet and video to discover how find evidence in poetry in order to discover the theme(s) of the poems. They are able to define poetic devices like simile, metaphor and repetition. Students identify themes in...
Curated OER
Unit Plan for Mark Twain and American Humor
Students create brochures about the humor of Mark Twain. In this literature-analysis lesson plan, students read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and other short stories by Twain. Students write analytical paragraphs and...
Curated OER
Tour Guidance
Students research, write, edit, illustrate, and compile a traveler's guide to their town or community for students or teenagers their own age. They read and discuss the Times article, 'Students Visiting? Just Invoke Auntie Mame.'
Curated OER
Allen Ginsberg: Poetry and Politics
Students explore the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. They read and analyze poems by Allen Ginsberg, conduct Internet research, collect examples of art of the 60s, and create a presentation.
Curated OER
A Gesture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Students share observations on the nuances of meaning in face to face and online interactions with others. After reading an article, they identify the causes and effects of internet flaming. They create their own comic strips...
Curated OER
Do You Recall?
Students share reactions to Mattel CEO Bob Eckert's message to consumers. They identify how Mattel is responding to several product recalls by reading and discussing the article "After Stumbling, Mattel Cracks Down in China." Students...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: Crossing the River
Young scholars analyze the multiple voices in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. In this multiple voices lesson plan, students explore the use of symbolism with the narrative voices of the text. Young scholars write a detailed profile of...
Curated OER
Personify This
Eighth graders study personification in published works of poetry, then create their own through the use of diamante or cinquain poetry. They read and discuss poetry by Shel Silverstein, William Jay Smith, and Elinor Wylie.
Curated OER
The Shakespeare Crowd
Students study the life and times of Shakespeare. They read and analyze one of his plays and use the Internet and videos to gain an understanding of how Shakespeare engaged his audiences, then and still today.
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation
Learners discover how the Declaration of Independence transformed from a draft to a treasured historical document. In this Declaration of Independence instructional activity, students discuss the context in which Jefferson wrote the...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students examine the need for a national library. For this Library of Congress lesson, students analyze primary sources to investigate the persuasive techniques that Thomas Jefferson used in a letter meant to show his...
Curated OER
Truman Capote: Other Voices, Other Rooms
Young scholars read and analyze Truman Capote's autobiographical short story, "A Christmas Memory." They discuss writing styles, conduct Internet research on Truman Capote, write a book review, and write a short story based on one of...
University of North Carolina
Literature (Fiction)
An informative installment of the Writing for Specific Fields series helps readers learn how to interpret and write about fiction. The website details nine easy steps for writing a literary analysis—a useful method for all readers!
Curated OER
Come On, Rain!
Students read and analyze the story. In this language arts lesson, students read Come on, Rain! and examine how mood and tone are created, the use of figurative language and the characteristics of the genre. Students research the...
Curated OER
Exploring the Poetry of Pablo Nueruda
Students read selected poems by Pablo Neruda. They also read short biographies of the author online to gain a better knowledge of the types of adversity Neruda faced throughout his lifetime. They begin to explore the concept of imagery...
Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Chapters 20, 21, 22, 23
Young scholars complete chapter analysis activities for the Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. For this novel analysis lesson, students read and discuss chapters 20, 21, and 22 from the novel. Young scholars then read and...
Curated OER
The Witch of Goingsnake
Students complete literary analysis and writing activities using The Witch of Goingsnake. In this literary analysis activity, students interpret a proverb, read poems, complete a quaker reading, and complete research for the activity....
Curated OER
Setting And Plot
High schoolers investigate the concept of setting with the use of reading different excerpts from multiple samples of texts. They execute well-thought out statements of the setting considering the important details that point it out...
Curated OER
Commercial Success?
Students share and discuss opinions regarding the tone and content of two commercials presented during Super Bowl XLI. They critique a commercial from past Super Bowls and a commercial that ran during a television show.
Curated OER
Review of Personification and Alliteration
Young scholars study personification and alliteration in various fiction texts. In this literary devices instructional activity, students use various texts to identify the literary devices of personification and alliteration. Young...
Curated OER
When the News is the News
Students share opinions about the factors that influence their newspaper-reading decisions. They study the News Corporation's purchase of Dow Jones & Company by reading and discussing the article "Dow Jones Deal Gives Murdoch a...
Curated OER
A Whale of a Tale
Students read "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" and discuss factual information in the book. They research whales and use information to write a narrative story. They take their stories through the writing process.
Curated OER
This Isn't Your Little Sister's Poetry: Analyzing and Understanding a Variety of Acclaimed Poets
Eleventh graders are introduced to various basic and advanced poetic devices. They read several poems and practice identifying poetic elements. They identify at least two different poems and substantiate why they belong in the canon.
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of Sheet Music
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions that require them to analyze sheet music of their choice.