Curated OER
"Their Eyes Were Watching God": Folk Speech and Figurative Language
Using or considering using Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God? Then this packet is a must for your curriculum library. The examination of how Hurston combines folklore and folk language to create the voice of her...
Curated OER
Persuasive Speech
Tenth graders participate in a lesson that is focused on the concept of writing persuasive speechs. They conduct research from a variety of sources in order to gather information to write well informed speeches.
Curated OER
Preposition Man
Young scholars practice using prepositions by writing on the tracing of a human. In this parts of speech lesson plan, students create a giant poster using the tracing of a classmate's body and fill in the outline using prepositions in...
Curated OER
It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Make a beeline to this activity. Prepare paper strips with the provided idioms to engage teams in illustrating their literal meanings. The drawings provide the impetus for a guessing game where class members compete to be the first to...
Curated OER
Idiom Dictionary
Clear up some common idioms for your English learners (or any other class) with this presentation. Expressions such as "Go fly a kite" and "He kicked the bucket" are coupled with pictures, some of which are unclear and could be confusing...
Curated OER
Idioms
Students, who are not native English speakers, determine how idioms are used in speaking and writing. In this idiom lesson, students listen to tapes of non-native speakers, and work on vocabulary exercises aimed at increasing their use...
Curated OER
When I Set My Hat at a Certain Angle: Trying on Zora Neale Hurston's Voice to Dress-up Prose
After reading and evaluating examples of prose nonfiction by Zora Neale Hurston and other authors, high schoolers write a personal reflective essay rich in figurative language. By incorporating this strategy, they utilize voice within...
National Endowment for the Humanities
“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”
Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore Roosevelt's...
Curated OER
Idioms in Everyday Language
Students describe idioms and their use in everyday language. They describe the difference between literal and idiomatic meanings. In groups, students use iPhoto to create books that explain and illustrate a variety of idioms describing...
Curated OER
Language Arts:Similes That Make Us Smile
Students identify similes and create their own self descriptions using them as examples. After identifying characteristics associated with pictures of the sun, fish, and other items, they discover how those traits can be used as...
Curated OER
Say What?
Students explore the literal and figurative meanings of twenty-nine phrases and sayings. This unit of nine lessons integrates written expression and convention to demonstrate the value of idioms to the language.
Curated OER
Idioms and Expressions: High or Tall
In this idioms worksheet, students complete a 10 question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about the correct use of idioms with "high" or "tall". Examples: tall tales, high heels, high strung, tall order.
Curated OER
Understanding Idioms
Middle schoolers explore figurative language. In this idioms lesson, students research the origin of instructor-selected idioms. Middle schoolers literally interpret the idioms. Interpretations are photographed and then presented to the...
McGraw Hill
Vocabulary Power
Augment your language arts units with a set of vocabulary worksheets. The packet is an excellent support to your vocabulary instruction that covers a variety of skills, including context clues, Greek and Latin roots, reference materials,...
Education Oasis
Creative Writing Unit: Analyzing, Interpreting, Discussing and Writing Various Genres of African-American Literature
A six-week unit takes high schoolers through various works of African-American literature, including poems, plays, and short stories. The lesson plan format includes a week-by-week description of activities, goals, materials, and...
Curated OER
French Idioms With "If"
Your intermediate French speakers study a series of five French proverbs (all using si + le conditionnel). Can they explain what each proverb or idiom means? Answers are not included here, but it might be interesting to break learners...
Curated OER
Ageless Idioms
Students translate and define idioms between English and Spanish. In this ageless idioms lesson, students discuss elements of expression and how a language's vernacular does not always make sense. Students illustrate a variety of...
Curated OER
Soup to Nuts
Students explore the concept of idioms as they learn about philanthropy. In this literature and service learning lesson, students read Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen and examine negative idioms. Students reflect on hurtful language...
Curated OER
Pre-AP Strategies for Spanish Literature
Take a break from vocabulary development and have your Spanish scholars immerse themselves in Spanish culture. What are common Spanish proverbs? In short sessions over the course of a few weeks, the class will learn about different...
Curated OER
More Reasons to Love Valentine's Day
Heart-themed curriculum connections that your class will fall in love with.
Curated OER
Figurative Language
Twelfth graders examine personification and alliteration in various reading selections. They read magazine articles, brochures, and advertisements, identify the examples of personification and alliteration, and create a business name...
Curated OER
Bringing Historical Figures Alive
Students research a famous American from a specific era. In this American history instructional activity, students choose a famous person from a time period chosen by the teacher, write a short report, prepare a speech, plan a...
Curated OER
The Outsiders
Tenth graders complete a variety of activities related to the first two chapters of the book The Outsiders. They define metaphor, simile, idiom, and hyperbole, and take a vocabulary pre-quiz. In small groups, they write a character...
Spreading Gratitude Rocks
Live and Learn and Pass It On
What are some of life's most tried-and-true lessons? Pupils listen to examples from the book Live and Learn and Pass It On by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. They write down their own life lessons to later compile in a class booklet. As a bonus...