Curated OER
"The Father of Lavish Advertising": P.T. Barnum
Students examine the life and work of P.T. Barnum. They discover his advertising techniques and business practices. They examine his use of people with disabilities for amusement.
Curated OER
Mirror, Mirror
Young scholars examine portraits done by Robert Harris and discuss the technique he used to create them. With a partner, they paint a picture of each other using the techniques of Harris. They also make a drawing of themselves from a...
Curated OER
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush: Native American Life
Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.
Curated OER
The Portrait
Students discuss the historical painting of portraits. In this art history lesson, students examine the history of portraiture during the nineteenth century. This lesson is intended to be used with a visit to the Musee d'Orsay in France.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Story, Identity, Unity
Delve into the art of storytelling in this self-guided unit. Multiple topics are covered such as literary genres, the 7 elements of fiction, figurative language, theme, characterization, etc. At the end of the unit, write your own flash...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Science Fiction
This slideshow introduces the genre of science fiction. It presents background information, common elements, common themes, pop movies (from books) showing diverse examples, and three specific examples: "Time Machine," "I, Robot," and...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Romance
This slideshow lesson focuses on the genre romance; it provides genre background and common elements. It offers literary examples and an excerpt with explanation.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Fable
The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of fables. Example included.
The Best Notes
The Best Notes: Shane by Jack Schaefer
This is an online study guide for the western novel Shane by Jack Schaefer including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
Read Works
Read Works: Planet Y
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about a boy named Zack who is traveling to a new planet with his family. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Fairy Tales as a Genre of Literature
This lesson will provide students with an understanding of the literary elements of fairy tales. Students will compose original fairy tales using graphic web organizers and presentation software.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Historical Fiction
This slideshow lesson features the genre of historical fiction. It provides background information, common elements, literary examples, and practice. The practice consists of viewing pictures of Stonehenge and the Pyramids and thinking...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Action/adventure
This slideshow focuses on the genre of action/adventure; it provides background information, common elements, a list of pop culture movies (made from books), three famous literary examples, and an excerpt from a fourth with commentary.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Mystery
This slideshow focuses on the genre of mystery; it provides background, compares and contrasts mystery and crime fiction, lists the common elements of mystery, and provides literary examples with Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie novels.
Other
Penn. Department of Education:comparing and Contrasting Different Versions
Comparing and contrasting is a higher-level thinking skill promoted in the Common Core Standards leading to the ability to comprehend and analyze texts through various topics and genres. This lesson on Comparing and Contrasting Stories...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Bees
In this video segment from WILD TV, learn about bees and the different techniques for handling them.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Weaving the Multigenre Web
Students analyze the elements of a novel in many different genres and then hyperlink these pieces together on student-constructed Websites.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Axle the Freeway Cat
In this online book from the International Children's Digital Library, a lonely cat meets a new friend in a traffic jam.
Caro Clarke
Historical Fiction: Who Rules?
This is the fifteenth article in a series designed to help the new novel author. This article focuses on the genre of historical fiction and the role of the author. Is the author a researcher or a story-teller?
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Black Ear, Blond Ear
In this online book from the International Children's Digital Library, relations between the blonde cats and the black cats, who live on different sides of the river, learn about each other when they exchange ears.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Blue Sky
In this online book from the International Children's Digital Library, a sad and lonely little girl dreams of seeing her mother again as she watches the clouds in the sky.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Voice Building Poetry Lesson: Comparison & Contrast Poems
In this lesson, young scholars examine multiple mentor texts to help drive them toward the final persuasive writing assignment: comparison and contrast poems written from a parent and a child's perspective. A short story, two poems, and...
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: "Washington Square" Teacher Guide [Pdf]
"Washington Square" 36-page teacher guide features in-depth background materials, genre studies, suggested themes, and elements of fiction. Also includes discussion questions, vocabulary studies, post-reading activities, and group and...
Harold D. Underdown
Writing Young Adult and Children's Fiction and Fantasy
A great article concerning writing children's literature, especially in the area of fantasy or science fiction. The author provides information concerning how to develop characters, creating literary elements, and discusses some pitfalls...