Start with the question in mind with a discussion activity on Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. With four focus questions, note-taking prompts, and discussion points, readers practice answering thematic questions based on textual evidence.

Begin your unit on Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea with an anticipation guide. As kids read 12 statements that relate to the novel's themes, they decide whether each is true or false in their own opinion.

Designed to help writers strengthen their elaboration, revision, and proofreading skills, this 48-page workbook is packed with information about and exercises in personal, narrative, persuasive, and report writing.

"I have never been able to forgive the rich for being rich, and it has colored my entire life and works." This colored view is the focus of a close reading activity that asks readers of The Great Gatsby to examine the way...

Students examine and create persuasive essays. In this writing lesson plan students engage in activities that allow them to understand how a persuasive essay is constructed so they may compose their own.

Fourth graders write about the forced Potawatomi migration. For this primary source lesson students are read journal entries from an emigrating party of Potawatomi Indians. Students reflect on the items the Indians might have taken with...

Seventh graders read the novel, The Light in the Forest. They work in groups to research and create artifacts for a Native American Living Museum. They complete a Powerpoint presentation of their virtual museum to classmates.

Budding historians read six documents related to grievances that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. They then craft an essay in which they discuss the perspective of both the colonists and the king. This DBQ could be...

Choosing a poet or a theme, eighth graders conduct research in the world of poetry. They conduct Internet research and select five poems that fit their poet or theme, and create a seven slide PowerPoint presentation on their selected...

Looking to introduce some text-based questions into your ELA lessons? Practice the kinds of skills the Common Core demands with the seven text-based questions and the essay prompt provided here. Designed to be a three-day lesson, day one...

The topic of gay marriage has gotten lots of attention recently. Without actually asking your class their personal opinions, this two-page worksheet has pupils study two essays about gay marriage. Readers analyze the attitude, tone, and...

Students organize facts about Harriet Tubman. In this writing lesson, students research Harriet Tubman, sort facts about her into two categories, and use the information they have found to write about her life in complete paragraphs.

Young scholars research the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson, students research facts about the American Revolution, write an expository essay, and peer edit for good content. The paper is suggested to be written...

Twelfth graders research historical turning points, gather-data, and extrapolate possible alternate outcomes. They work individually to choose one historical event from Attachment D, Historical Turning Points. Students complete either...

Young scholars explore the Incan culture. For this Incan history lesson, students research the rebellions that occured upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistdors. Young scholars write essays regarding the rebellions and...

Students examine protest music and songs from the Civil Rights movement. For this music of the Civil Rights era lesson, students listen to selected music before working in groups to determine who the music was directed at, what social...

Students in fourth grade pair up with students in second grade to edit writing convension.

Students engage in a study of Romanticism in an attempt to build a context for how it was used. They write a 5 paragraph essay using literary devices they are familiar with. They should go back and edit their work before accepting it as...

In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer and essay questions based on Circe's Power by Louise Glück.

In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "The Computation," by John Donne.

Students examine photographs of slaves, and listen to various first person accounts of life as a slave. Students write essays describing the relationship between the woman and the child in the photograph.

Pupils investigate the essays and life of Thoreau in order to appreciate his point of view and understand his way of thinking. They participate in various activities and writing assignments to gain a similar perspective. Students write...

Students reserach an Alaska Native leader. They present their report to the class and then write an essay in which they reflect on their understandings of the history of Alaska Natives.

What is a verb of attribution? Study the description and examples on the first page, and then let your classes attempt the second page. There's a list of verbs they can use to construct the sentences provided.