Curated OER
The Parts of an Editorial
Learners take notes as the teacher goes over the contents of an editorial and four types of an editorial. Students view an editorial and identify the structural elements in the sample as well as identify the type of editorial they are...
Curated OER
Literature: Porgy and Bess
Young scholars examine the various portrayals of African-Americans in literature, focusing on the opera, Porgy and Bess. They conduct Internet research on African-American culture between the two World Wars. Students write fictional or...
Curated OER
Candide Cubing Strategy
Candide is a dense text. To assist in analyzing Voltaire's satire, groups employ a cubing strategy based on Bloom's taxonomy. Complete directions for the strategy, a template for the cube, a worksheet, and a topic list are included.
Curated OER
Mark Twain: Straddling the Civil War
Mark Twain's life, politics, writing, and role as a mirror of pre- and post-Civil War American culture are the focus 11th and 12th graders in this section from an expansive author study. A critical writing assignment comparing Twain...
National First Ladies' Library
Language Arts: The Rise of the Operetta
Students develop an appreciation for the musical theater form, the operetta. In addition, they present parodies of songs from The Mikado. Working in small groups and accessing provided Websites, they compose their parodies. Once...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Timely vs. Timeless
In this historical events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about bank failure and respond to 2 talking point questions.
Curated OER
A New Candidate for Animal Farm
Students create an advertising campaign in which a candidate from Animal Farm will run for an upcoming election. In this follow-up activity to George Orwell's Animal Farm lesson plan, students explore propaganda, rhetoric, and satire as...
Curated OER
A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
For this literature worksheet, students respond to 25 short answer and essay questions about Forster's A Passage to India. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the selection at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Keep Current Through a Cartoonist's Commentary
In this current events instructional activity, learners analyze political cartoons about the Middle East and American domestic issues. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Animal Farm - The Rest of the Story
Students participate in a reader's theater using farm animals in the novella Animal Farm. In this Animal Farm lesson plan, students evaluate interpretations using the text, personal experience, and historical events.
Curated OER
Emma - Essay Questions
In this literature worksheet, students respond to 25 short answer and essay questions about Jane Austen's Emma. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Out of the Mud
Eleventh graders explore the impact the automobile had on Iowans and their ways of life. In this technology lesson, 11th graders research how Iowans promoted "Good roads" and the reasons for paving roads.
Curated OER
Persuasion
High schoolers explore the characteristics of a persuasive letter. They label each characteristic and they create a persuasive letter using the correct business letter format. Students recommend a school rule or change of a rule and...
Curated OER
Understanding Flashback
Middle schoolers are introduced to the definition of "flashback" in that writers use it when they want to reveal to readers something that happened in the past.
Then Students write a short story using a flashback scene and then move...
Curated OER
The New Statesman (1987-1992)
Students study the work of the House of Commons and consider the importance of debate in the legislative process. They consider why politics is a popular subject for television sitcom and other formats. They explore the four main...
Curated OER
Expressing Our Thoughts Through Poetry
Students create a poem on about spring. They read final version of their poem chorally. They write reflections of their experience in creating the poem.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Bushwhacked
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of President George W. Bush. Students respond to 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Mark Twain- Teaching About American Authors
Mark Twain lesson plans can shed light on his famous works, like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Benjamin Franklin's Satire of Witch Hunting
Lesson uses primary resource to explore Benjamin Franklin's satire of a witch trial and his argument that human affairs should be guided, above all, by reason.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Satire With the Simpsons
Contains plans for three lessons that use the popular television show "The Simpsons" to teach about satire and satirical techniques. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to PDF handouts and...
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: An Introduction to "She Stoops to Conquer"
Oliver Goldsmith published several critiques of audiences and playwrights before writing a laughing comedy that was the triumph of its season and that continues to be performed today. This article introduces "She Stoops to Conquer",...
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts, Grade 12: Gulliver's Travels
Learners continue to learn that people use the written word to express their thoughts and ideas about social issues and attempt to persuade others to do the same. They will explore advanced rhetorical devices, including satire and...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: The Political Dr. Seuss (Lesson Plans)
Go directly to two lesson plans that help students explore how the cartoons of Dr. Seuss reflected the political and social issues of his day. Lessons also direct students to examine broader issues associated with political cartooning,...