Students discover literature by conducting a free writing experiment. In this sonnet lesson, students read the sonnet "The Parting" and compare it to modern-day songs about breaking up. Students listen to pop music in class and...

Students determine if Lincoln and Whitman ever met and write a dialogue between the two men. In this Whitman and Lincoln activity, students read Whitman's poem "Beat! Beat! Drums!" and connect it to the events of Lincoln's presidency....

Sixth graders find similarities and differences in two different diary entries. For this Holocaust history meets literary skills lesson, 6th graders read the diary of a soldier or prisoner from the the Auschwitz concentration camp and...

In this "Paul Revere's Ride" activity, students discuss the patriotic and historical aspects of Longfellow's famous poem.  Students answer three questions about the facts and the theme of the poem.

Fourth graders use regional rock art symbols or their own symbols to cooperatively create a rock art panel. They examine their feelings about rock art vandalism and discuss ways to protect rock art and other archaeological sites.

Students write news stories to accompany tabloid headlines. In this tabloid lesson plan, students learn the power of persuasion and exaggeration by writing stories based on actual tabloid headlines.

Students write a paragraph describing a conflict they had with a friend or a family member and a paragraph explaining how it was resolved. In this social science lesson, students share their paragraphs with a partner and then will...

Students examine patterns of imagery in Merchant of Venice by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then students draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might...

Learners examine patterns of imagery in Macbeth by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then learners draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might have used the...

Students examine patterns of imagery in A Midsummer Night's Dream by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then students draw conclusions about why Shakespeare...

Young scholars examine patterns of imagery in Othello by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then young scholars draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might...

Young scholars examine the state of the environment by viewing the film, Koyaanisqatsi." The film has no dialogue and presents contrasting images of nature and the modern world. After completing a homework assignment about the film,...

Fifth graders practice analyzing story points by discussing Cinderella.  In this reading comprehension lesson, 5th graders identify the four main types of conflicts in stories and how they are presented in modern day...

Students examine patterns of imagery in Richard II by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then students draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might have used...

Students examine patterns of imagery in Caesar by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then students draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might have used the...

Students examine patterns of imagery in Hamlet by using online resources. Students compare the patterns they see to those they've found in other Shakespeare plays. Then students draw conclusions about why Shakespeare might have used the...

C.S. Lewis outlines in his final book Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, the struggle of what happens during prayer, and the purpose of the action. The resource provides two sets of questioning. The first furnishes deep...

Here is an ambitious instructional activity which has learners take a look at which nations came up with the most important scientific inventions/advancements during the 20th century. Focusing on group work, cloning is explored. All of...

Ninth graders research the causes of the major genocides of the 20th century. They participate in a jigsaw activity and complete a concept map of different genocides, watch and discuss excerpts from the movies "Hotel Rwanda," "The...

Learners research the western movement in order to learn note taking strategies with nonfiction texts. They use the Internet to search for important information about the western movement using the Cornell Notes note-taking system. They...

The included excerpt would be a perfect contrary follow-up to reading, Rudyard Kipling's White Man's Burden. Journalist E.D. Morel composed the statement against imperialism in 1920. Black Man's Burden is a wonderful primary source...

One of the big challenges of assigning independent reading is helping class members find a book to read. Another is encouraging readers to read a variety of genres. Never fear, help is here in the form of a quest that asks individuals to...

The country of Egypt is more than just big pyramids and ancient pharaohs. After reading a brief overview of this African nation, young learners will demonstrate their understanding of the text by identifying the main idea and supporting...