The main characters in William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth are introduced, described and analyzed with links to additional character information. Character descriptions include: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Duncan, Banquo, Macduff, and the...

This series of 12 downloadable activities teach students some basics of story writing, using books or videos from the PBS "Arthur" series as a springboard. Activities include creating story maps, asking questions about characters and...

Where did Miss Nelson go? We look at the key details in the text to determine what is happening throughout the story. Students will locate and record key details about story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution, and theme) in...

In this lesson, students will develop a character by acting out the character for a partner. Students also will learn how to use descriptive language to develop and describe a character.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Five little monkeys sitting on a bed or sitting in a tree? In this close reading lesson plan, students will compare and contrast the actions of the characters in two of Eileen Christelow's beloved...

This writing lesson is fashioned after Harry Potter's encounter with a communicative boa constrictor at the zoo. Inspired by Rowling's original idea, students will be asked to create a three-part story about an original magical animal...

The writer will first create an original imaginary friend, inspired by Ted from Tony DiTerlizzi's wonderful picture book. The writer will then think of an ordinary activity done on a daily basis, like feeding the family dog. The writer...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Based on Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems, a lesson in which students learn how to utilize text and picture clues to determine a when and where the story takes place.

The Milwaukee Public Museum provides this introduction to the Native American oral tradition and oral literature of the Great Lakes region. Describes common themes and characters, including trickster characters and windingo (ice...

In this lesson for early readers, young scholars will describe the major events in the plot, describe the characters, and ask and answer questions about the first chapter in Frog and Toad Are Friends---Spring.

During this lesson plan, 1st graders will sequence events in "Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel, describe the problem and solution, and describe the characters.

Ami Angelowicz describes just how pervasive (but harmless) sleep paralysis is and introduces a cast of characters from sleep paralysis around the world. [4:49]

Lesson that helps students understand map concepts. After listening to the teacher read aloud each chapter of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, students discuss the book and use a map and general direction terms to describe the...

Shakespeare understood that most people in the audience of Julius Caesar were familiar with the story, so he had to offer them something different - his powerful language to bring his version of history to the stage. This essay describes...

Use this graphic organizer to compare or contrast ideas, things, or texts. This is a great cross-curricular tool to use for both reading strategies and prewriting.