Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Background notes about the novel, The Great Depression, and The Dust Bowl
If your class is reading the historical fiction novel, Out of the Dust, then you are in luck. Here are a few slides that will help you provide historical context for the book, as well as define main characters, setting, symbolism, and...
DePaul University
The Football Team
Playing team sports is about more than just scoring the most goals or winning the most games. Read this passage with your class and learn how athletes build character as members of a team. When finished, individuals identify the main...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Reporting on History
Have fun with history and turn your kids into news reporters of the past. Each group will research, script, and deliver a news report on a historic event they are studying in class. They'll identify the main characters of the historical...
Curated OER
Interpreting Dramatic Works
Action! Delve into character development in the play Fences by August Wilson, setting the stage for learners to analyze character nuances. Thespians choose a scene from the script, responding with a written account of the character's...
Curated OER
Thinking About Money
Students explore the concept of a personal budget. In this philanthropy activity, students use a Venn diagram to compare 2 stories in which the main characters spend money in different ways.
Curated OER
Maniac Magee: Life Without Problems
Young readers discuss how they would deal with problems faced by the main character in Maniac Magee. They write down their own problems and exchange them with others to analyze and provide possible solutions. They establish a "Dear Abby"...
Curated OER
Setting the Stage
Learners investigate the importance of literacy to philanthropy. In this literacy lesson, students read the book, Amber on the Mountain, before answering questions about the main character's motives for learning to read. They make charts...
Curated OER
Latin American Film
Students critique, discuss, and identify characters in a film about Latin America. In this Latin America lesson plan, students watch the film and discuss the film and everyday life.
Curated OER
Book Report Activity
Students analyze language arts by reading a book in class. In this book report lesson, students must read one of five selected books including 1984 and Lord of the Flies. Students prepare a two page report and create a poster...
Curated OER
Sharing Our Surplus Stash: A Trick-Or-Treat Twist
Students give the gift of candy to community members. In this citizenship and giving lesson, students read Franklin's Halloween and discuss why the main characters give away part of their Halloween candy. Students brainstorm who in their...
Curated OER
Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History
Students examine historical context. In this historical perspectives lesson, students read and discuss instructor-selected picture book biographies. Students then complete graphic organizers based on the challenges the main characters...
Curated OER
Compliments can Change the World
Students explore the definition of philanthropy as it relates to bullying. In this moral values lesson, students listen to the book Thank you, Mr. Falker and identify how the main character was bullied. Students define philanthropy, and...
Curated OER
The English Roses
Students explore psychology by reading a children's book in class. In this bullying lesson, students read the story The English Roses and discuss the main characters, story and setting. Students identify the moments when the main...
Curated OER
Native American Legends
Second graders will engage in an in-depth study of Michigan Native American culture comparing and contrasting the culture of today with that of the past. They will also read a variety of Native American literature focusing on the story...
Curated OER
Bah Humbug
Students listen to two famous stories about people who do not like Christmas, and then create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the main characters.
Penguin Books
Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for Jefferson's Sons
Thomas Jefferson lived a controversial life. A series of lesson plans shares information about Jefferson's Sons, a novel about the infamous founding father. Discussion questions and other tasks explore different points of view and cover...
Curated OER
Small Fish Stick Together
Students pantomime the book Swimmy. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the main character in the text and how Swimmy participated in philanthropic acts. Students role play the book.
Curated OER
What Is a Promise?
Students brainstorm the definition of honesty. For this honesty lesson, students read Ostrich Egg Wife and discuss events in the story relating to honesty and breaking a promise. Students explore ways the main character showed he was not...
Curated OER
Historical Fiction: A Wealth of Interpretations
Young scholars read a book from the Dear America series and contrast different points of view. They respond to the book either by participating in a literature circle or completing a journal entry. They compare and contrast two books or...
Curated OER
Responsibility and Jobs
Students identify community helpers. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Strega Nona and identify different characters' responsibilities in the story. Students use character traits to describe the main characters and make a list...
Curated OER
Faces of the Family
Students and teachers share their individual concept of families to begin the lesson. As they read different pieces of literature, they keep a journal of the activities and problems each main character gets into. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Not for a Billion Gazillion Dollars
Learners discover what debt, saving, and credit are. In this personal finance lesson, the teacher reads Not for a Billion Gazillion Dollars, and the students discuss what the main character does in the book in relation to debt, saving,...
Curated OER
Metis
Fourth graders examine the Metis culture. In this Metis living lesson plan, 4th graders read Things I did Last Summer by Martin Shulman and discuss the life of the main character, Bonnie. Students recreate their favorite scenes of the...
Curated OER
Cubby Bear's Big Responsibility
Students continue their examination of character by being introduced to the concept of responsibility. As a class, they are read a story and identify when the main character was being responsible. They share wha they are responsible...