Curated OER
Poetry Voices
Learners investigate the performance aspect of poetry by reading, writing and discussing poetry pieces.
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T'was the Night Before Christmas (Poem)
Students read the poem T'was the Night Before Christmas, and then partner with another student to complete a poem of their own based on the original. The new poem has missing words and students fill in the missing parts of speech like a...
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Simile Stories
Fourth graders view song lyrics and identify similes in the song text. In this similes instructional activity, 4th graders define and identify similes on a worksheet. Students write their own similes using various adjectives.
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Paper Cranes
Paper folding is a great art form that can be incorporated into cultural, mathematic, and art lessons. This resource includes the full instructions needed to fold a paper crane, as well as a Haiku poetry idea. Tip: This activity would be...
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Poet Analysis: Ciaran Carson
Students analyze lyrics and narration by reading poetry. In this language arts lesson, students read and examine the poem Belfast Confetti. Students discuss the topics and questions asked by the author Ciaran Carson.
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Natural Disasters: Stormy Weather in Art, Writing, and Music
Using personal experience, visual art, and music that evoke natural disasters, your older high schoolers create their own expressions of storms. Learners conduct online research about weather drama. They make their own expressive...
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Using Rock to Teach Literary Devices: Jimi Hendrix “The Wind Cries Mary”
Students explore literary elements through music. In this figurative language instructional activity, students examine imagery and personification in "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix.
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The Inanimate Speaks: An Exercise In Metaphor
Fifth graders read the poem "Second-Hand Coat" and then discuss objects as a metaphor.
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Art Analysis and Creative Writing
Students write an acrostic poem and analyze a work of art. In this art lesson plan, students look at a picture and answer questions about it, write a poem, write about the setting in the painting they saw, and answer short questions...
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Lincoln's Legend and Legacy
Young scholars evaluate Lincoln's impact on American History. In this Civil War lesson, students view a film clip of writings about Lincoln. Young scholars take notes and compare how the writings define his legacy. Students write their...
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Ladybug Similes
In this simile learning exercise, students review the definition and an example about similes. Students then write five similes about ladybugs, pick out the best one, and then illustrate it.
Maryland Department of Education
A Raisin in the Sun and Dreams Deferred
To conclude a study of A Raisin in the Sun and to prepare for a visit to the Lewis Museum, class members analyze Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Learners then draw connections to characters in the play and to their own experiences by...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Creating Narrative
Plot, setting, characters, and conflict are common to both drama and narrative stories. Kids create narrated tableaus that show their understanding of the plot, setting, and conflict of a story they've recently read. The activity...
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Fall Similes
Students create descriptive autumn similes and write them on fall-themed paper. They first write the autumn simile, and then arrange the plants around the border of the paper. They use natural plants which must be pressed.
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Scops, Rappers and You: Historians with Style!
Students examine the epic poem Beowulf. For this analyzing poetry lesson, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Students then research an influential...
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Fantasy Allegory of Air
Students analyze the painting Jan Brueghel and design their own book. In this art and book lesson, students discuss the elements of fantasy from the painting and create their own book. Students illustrate the book and create a painting...
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Symbolism: Finding the Hidden Meaning In Chinese Art
Middle schoolers study and interpret Chinese art to find its symbolism, or the "hidden meanings" in this middle level instructional activity well suited for the Language Arts or Art classroom. An enrichment activity is included that...
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The Profound Simplicity Of Scrolls
Students create art scrolls in the Chinese style using individual examples of landscape pictures and poetry in this instructional activity for the middle-level Language Arts, Social Studies, or Art classroom.
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Paradox Worlds
Students view and analyze "Still Life," by Cornelis de Heem. They answer discussion questions about the painting, write similes, discuss symbolism, create a still life sketch, and create a paint box poem.
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The Raven: Creator of the Universe?
Learners explore biology by researching birds in class. In this raven identification lesson, students utilize the Internet to identify the anatomy, habits and habitat of ravens. Learners write descriptive paragraphs about ravens and read...
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Storytellers: Bruce Springsteen
Students use the music of Bruce Springsteen to learn literature techniques.
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Snow Similes
Students see how poets use words to paint pictures. The combination of a big snowstorm and hands-on materials make this lesson successful. There are some nice attachments that the students will really enjoy!
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Comparing Characters Across Two Short Stories
Ninth graders listen to a read aloud of two short stories focusing on literary devices. The write about the settings and realism of the stories, and decide each main character handles the conflict he faces with nature.
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Cracking the Mirror of the Past
Young scholars compare and contrast two pieces of artwork in regards to their nastalgic elements. Using the internet, they research local religious institutions in their area and note their function in society. They also compare and...