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Creating a Story Map Using Kidspiration
Fourth graders use computer software, Kidspiration, to create a graphic organizer detailing main characters, setting, problem, solution, and theme of their favorite short story. Students also discover how graphic organizers can help them...
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Reacting to Literature
Young scholars summarize a book which they have read. A slide show depicting an action scene in their chosen book is created and three main characters described using a web.
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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"...
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Into the Wild: Creating Characters
Students analyze well-known fairy tale characters to learn about characterization. After choosing two fairy tale characters and determining what the characters most want and most fear, students switch characters and stories. They...
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Setting the Stage
Students 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...
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Stump the Dump Maze Game
Students complete reading Because of Winn-Dixie individually or as a class. As students reunite Opal and Winn-Dixie in this timed reading comprehension maze game, they demonstrate their understanding of the novel's plot, theme, and...
Curriculum Corner
Guest Teacher Plans Grade 5
Math, reading, writing, and word work; it's all here in a daily lesson plan created to support a substitute teacher in a fifth grade class.
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Create a Playbill!
Seventh graders explore the various elements found in the advertisement of a dramatic experience. Playbills are created that reflect the plot without revealing the climax of the play. Costumes, set construction, and character description...
Maine Content Literacy Project
Introduction to Ernest Hemingway
What is a white elephant, and what does it have to do with Ernest Hemingway? Study "Hills Like White Elephants" in-depth by following the procedures outlined in this lesson, the fifth in a series of fourteen. Learners start the day with...
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Introducing Literary Elements in Fiction
Identify literary elements in fiction. In this reading comprehension lesson, learners read the book Pigsty and record literary elements onto a graphic organizer. They specifically discuss the main characters and events in the text.
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Rapunzel
Youngsters read the story of Rapunzel and go over vocabulary and answer discussion questions. They also list qualities of characters, discuss settings, make a diorama, and more.
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Integrative Lesson on Genres of American Literature (Senior, Literature)
To begin this lesson, the instructor will present a PowerPoint detailing the genres of Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism. Learners will follow along with an instructional sheet that will aid in the identification of setting, tone,...
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Julius Caesar: Fate Versus Free Will
Tenth graders engage in a study that is about Julius Caesar while reading a play. The role of the main character is examined while looking for motive and tension presented by Shakespeare. They write a summary and critique of the play.
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Writing Personal Goals for the Summer
Third graders read and discuss the book, Miss Rumphius. They go over new vocabulary included in the book and discuss the concept of setting goals. They set their own goals for the summer and present them using a graphic organizer...
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Main Events in Fiction
Young scholars complete a literature analysis of fiction texts to study elements of fiction. In this fiction analysis instructional activity, students read various fiction texts and examine them to learn about fiction elements. Young...
EngageNY
Getting to Know Esperanza (Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes”)
Delve into Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan with close reading and evidence-based, text-dependent questions. Part of a unit series, this well-sequenced, Common Core designed instructional activity draws on material from the...
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Dusty Locks and the Three Bears
Read this twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Dusty Locks and the Three Bears by Susan Lowell. Kindergartners listen, predict, and discuss the story. They then participate in a dramatization of the story and draw a picture...
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De-Mystifying Poetry: Understanding Narrative Poetry
Tenth graders explore narrative poetry. They analyze sections of a poem and present to groups. They compose their own narrative poems using pictures as prompts. They exchange their poems and analyze their classmate's poem.
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Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
Who is a champion to your class? Elementary and middle schoolers think of a role-model from their lives. Then, in their journals, they write evidence of that person's perseverance. They identify the character trait of perseverance with...
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Latin American Film
Students critique, discuss, and identify characters in a film about Latin America. For this Latin America lesson plan, students watch the film and discuss the film and everyday life.
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Zigzag
First graders compare the main characters in the story Corduroy with those in Zigzag. They explore the themes of character, setting, problem, and resolution while viewing picture sets that show similarities and differences and discuss as...
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Crossroads Cafe: "Who's the Boss?" Act 1
Students pronounce key phrases during a story. They discuss the story setting and the roles of the characters. They explain the problems the main characters face.
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Hands Poem
Students create a "Hands" poem for the author/character in a reading selection.They make inferences for reading selection and back up inference by citing specific lines in text. They relate author's or main character's experiences to...
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Book Report Activity
Students analyze language arts by reading a book in class. In this book report activity, 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...