To gain a better understanding of characters in Pearl Buck's The Good Earth, kids create a biopoem for one of her characters.

As part of their study of Out of the Dust, readers create a biopoem for one of the characters in Karen Hesse's 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel.

Conclude your novel study of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi with this biopoem activity. Get an in-depth look into the personal interests of the poem's subject including feelings, needs, fears, and more!  

Students list and describe the characteristics of a good citizen relative to democracy. They see that philanthropy is part of good citizenship and exemplify philanthropy through random acts of kindness. Each group will be responsible for...

In this characterization instructional activity, students 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...

Students draw pictures to generate ideas about a character. They use prewriting skills to plan written work. They then dictate or write detailed descriptions of familiar person, places, objects, or experiences.

For this The Diary of Anne Frank worksheet, students identify personality traits and give examples from the play to provide evidence to show the trait selected for ten characters.

Fourth graders create a character map for each character in the novel, adding to each as he or she is revealed in "Their Eyes Were Watching God." They document how each character deals with attitudes and injustices.

Students study paintings and use their knowledge of story elements to analyze the art. In this art analysis instructional activity, students review a novel for its elements. Students study the image At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance and...

Pupils use artistic words when writing about an object moving quickly past a character who is standing still. In this writing and art lesson plan, students read the passage Chasing Vermeer and base their writing off of it.

Seventh graders write a letter describing their arrival on the Mayflower.  In this Mayflower arrival lesson, 7th graders research the passengers, comparing and contrasting ocean travel then and now.  Students take a passenger...

Learners make a list of "modern day prophets" and explain how they have made considerable contributions toward the common good. They write a letter to a community leader in which they advocate the solution to a problem or issue in their...

Students create a list of characteristics for the heroine of a fairy tale and discuss ways these images affect behavior and self-esteem.  For this, The House on Mango Street gender equity lesson, students identify common...

Students examine a Native American Cinderella story. In this Cinderella lesson, students listen to and compare Rafe Martin's, The Rough Face Girl, to other Cinderella stories. They complete the associated worksheets, role play scenes...

Students write persuasive letters based on "The Tell Tale Heart." They brainstorm topic sentences, main ideas, and details. They analyze the character and determine if he is innocent or guilty. They create a map listing their reasons to...

Theodore Taylor's The Cay provides the text for an assignment that asks each reader to craft a biopoem for one of the characters.

Students write a biopoem. In this literature and poetry writing lesson, students write a biopoem about the characters in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry following a specific given format. Examples and format are included.

Students identify characteristics common to heroines in a fairy tale and list ways images affect males and females.  In this gender bias lesson, students see an adapted version of "Cinderella" and write a journal response. ...

Learners explore the concept of respect. In this respect and democracy lesson, students define respect and brainstorm examples of showing respect and disrespect. Learners read Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy and pick out...

A thorough guide to all ten chapters of Barbara Park's The Kid in the Red Jacket would be a great addition to your reading unit. Each page covers one chapter of the book, complete with vocabulary and content questions, and...

Here's a thought-provoking and engaging lesson for your charges. It's a Webquest about Thanksgiving. Groups of learners research Thanksgiving customs, history, and experiences. They are assigned the task of renaming Thanksgiving in order...

“Mirrors” or aspects from a story that reflect a personal text-to-self connection, and “windows,” an aspect that gives insight into a different way of being, are the focus of an activity designed for Alice Walker’s story. Readers select...

A creative way bring autobiographical writing to your poetry unit or back-to-school curriculum, this lesson plan guides you through a bio poem activity. Kids use the graphic organizer to describe themselves using adjectives, things...

Great for a reading intervention or remedial Language Arts class, this instructional activity uses two stories from Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III ("Terri Jackson" and "Mary Lou" to reinforce note-taking skills, story elements,...