Eighth graders write a comparison/contrast essay to determine which of two cars should be purchased from the parents' perspective.

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...

Learners act as historians by, first, reading and analyzing oral histories of professional baseball players to become familiar with baseball figures. Then, they proceed to interview family members, relatives, or neighbors who have...

Learners complete various biographical and autobiographical writing activities. They write an autobiographical essay, biopoem, biographical essay, and design and decorate a bag presenting character traits.

Eighth graders explore manners by writing short stories. In this chivalry code lesson, 8th graders identify the traits of chivalry and explore the history of chivalry in England. Students complete a chivalry worksheet and write a...

Students practice descriptive writing in a thank-you note format. For this descriptive writing lesson, students read the example letter and analyze the corrections in the letter. Students read the example thank you notes and focus on the...

Young scholars explore the use of imagery in writing. In this writing lesson, students create a writing piece that features sensory images without resorting to the use of clichés.

Students research the life and daily activities of a slave during the nineteenth century. They write an essay role playing a slave during this time period.

Students research walruses using the library and the Internet, then write an essay from what they find in their research.  In this investigative instructional activity students view a video on walruses then write an essay after...

Students use the site maps and other resources to research one of the influential Caribbean immigrants or descendents of immigrants mentioned in a narrative they have read. They write an essay about an influential immigrant.

Students research information about their neighborhoods. Uncovering facts about geology and Native Americans, they examine how the neighborhood has evolved over time. They work together to create a timeline of specific events.

Fourth graders investigate the research process. The finding of information about the indian tribes of Montana provides the context for student practice. They identify the problem and generate questions to find answers. The main...

Students study the speeches of Frederick Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and Chief Joseph. Students write a story set during the Nineteenth Century Era. Students present their story to the class. Handouts and worksheets are included in the...

"The Chase," a chapter from Annie Dillard's autobiography, details an iceball project the narrator and her friends used to play. After your class reads the chapter, give them this reading assessment. Provided here are five short-answer...

Students discover how Japanese dissidents spoke out against the injustice practiced in Imperial Japan. In this Japanese history activity, students listen to a lecture about the silent dissidents in the nation prior to World War II and...

Learners explore the growing trade and tourist relationship between Greece and Turkey. They then research key event in Greco-Turkish history from each sides perspective to create political cartoons and a time line for classroom display.

Students explore what is very relevant in their personal lives during this project. They reflect upon past experiences and are encouraged to investigate what their post-high school graduation plans are.

A well-written example of an expressive essay. Deals with drama as a means of therapy for deaf patients. An excellent model of expression in essay-writing.

This two-page essay provides an example of a personal narrative (Click on View Printable Version). Clicking on the "Writer's Guide" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page enables the user to get tips, directions, and...

This four-page essay provides an example of a personal reflection essay. Clicking on the "Writer's Guide" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page enables the user to get tips, directions, and explanations on the essay. W.11-12.3b...

Notes, a PowerPoint presentation, two videos, a song, an exercise, and a game help students to understand how to write a narrative. Elements of a narrative as well as the use of figurative language and sensory images are introduced and...

Written by Annie Dillard, this essay taken from "An American Childhood" provides an excellent example of autobiographical writing. Also includes leading and study questions for student comprehension and understanding. Requires Adobe...

This site provides two graphic organizers. The first graphic organizer provides all parts of a personal essay, of a college essay. The second graphic organizer serves as a planning tool for a student's personal essay. W.9-10.3,3a...

Contains learning modules on the following topics: Research and MLA Foundations, Novels and Short Stories, Poetry: the Sonnet, Shakespearean Drama, Informative and Argumentative Essays,Research and MLA Review, Narrative Nonfiction,...