Curated OER
Honour killings: What do we need to understand in looking for solutions?
Students prepare a chart with four columns: things we know, things we think we know but need to check, things we wonder about, and new things we have learned. Each group is given a case study and they discuss the three cases of "honor...
Curated OER
Understanding Science Fiction
Fourth graders learn about the genre of science fiction. In this science fiction lesson, 4th graders learn about the characteristics of science fiction as a genre. They write an original piece of science fiction.
Curated OER
Read Across Texas
Sixth graders read various books about the state of Texas. They read their assigned book, write a book report, and create an illustration or a shadow box of a scene from their assigned book.
Curated OER
Fictional Biographies
Students read and discuss the fictional biography, "Strega Nona: Her Own Story" by Tomie dePaola. They compare the characters of the story to other fictional characters then choose their own favorite fictional character to write a...
Curated OER
The Other Tall Tales
Students research many different tall tales. They retell the tale in their own words and create an orginal tale of their own. They share their tall with the class along with illustrations.
Curated OER
Pizzeria (reading Encouragement)
Students create a pizzeria atmosphere in the classroom with Italian music, pizza menus and checkered table cloths. They compare their different tastes in pizza toppings to different tastes in reading. Then they use a reading menu to...
Curated OER
A Courtly Love Poem
Pupils engage in a writing assignment to produce a thirteenth century Italian Courtly Poem. They imitate the literary patterns of writing to produce a unique poem using a model for example. Students review the basic terminology for...
Curated OER
SCI-FI TALES
Fifth graders brainstorm known features of science fiction books and titles read. They pair up and discuss the possible physical characteristics fo a creature that could appear fron an excerpt of SCI-FI TALES.
Curated OER
The Time Machine - Layered Curriculum Study
Students complete three activities of their choice from a given list surrounding their study of H.G. Wells' novel, The Time Machine. They choose activities from each of the seven learning styles.
Curated OER
The Prince and the Pauper
Mark Twain, the famous American author, is often studied in the school system. Use "The Prince and the Pauper" to analyze the differences between the text and its video version. This lesson includes several culminating project...
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Fairytale Cake
Students recreate characters from the story, "The Fairytale Cake." In this fairy tale characterization lesson, students first listen to fairy tales read aloud. They then use play dough and plastic bowls as pretend "cakes and icing", and...
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Fantasy Stories
Students create fantasy stories. In this creative writing activity, students write a fantasy where they can use characters that they have read about in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Curated OER
The All About Me Poster
Pupils write about themselves and create a poster to illustrate who they are.
Curated OER
Dialogue Tags/ Synonyms for Said
Sixth graders analyze dialogue tags. In this synonyms lesson students work in groups analyzing a personal narrative. They enter the words onto a classroom chart as well as their notes or journal. The students replace tags with more...
Curated OER
Creating Found Poetry From Picture Books
Students use picture books to identify poetic elements and word choice. They create a "found poem".
Curated OER
"Twilight" Music Provides Link Between Past And Present
Music appreciation lessons can use modern phenomena like "Twilight" to motivate students.
Curated OER
Night by Elie Weisel
Students read "No News from Auschwitz" and answer the study questions as an introduction to the novel. They record reactions to the essay and compare with reactions after reading "Night".
Curated OER
Exploring Space Fiction
Learners visit web sites with information on space fiction and collect information for their stories.
Curated OER
Lyddie
Seventh graders read the novel, Lyddie, while studying the reform movement. They complete assignments for each chapter and write essays about Lyddie's development through the novel.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Literary Resources on the Net
Extensive listing of literary links on the Internet, grouped into categories. Useful for general browsing through a category.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech: Feminist Literary Criticism and Theory
The Feminist Theory Website at Virginia Tech University provides a list of all types of feminist literary criticism and theory.
Love To Know Media
Your Dictionary: Literary Terms to Know in Seventh Grade
This site lists and briefly defines the literary terms 7th graders should know including types of writing, literary devices, sound devices, figurative language, and parts of a story,
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Captivity Narratives
This site contains definitions and analysis of American captivity narratives. Describes the conventions, rhetorical purposes, and themes of the captivity narrative genre. Lists example captivity narratives.