This lesson focuses on Annotation, a "writing-to-learn" strategy. It consists of writing explanatory notes and critical (analytical) commentary to yourself. Annotating text consists of two steps: (1) underlining, highlighting, circling,...

This lesson focuses on annotating text to aid in understanding of the text including annotating an argument and poetry. It also provides tools and techniques for marking text.

In this poem by Shel Silverstein, a speaker tells an adult that he should try "growing down" rather than growing up. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and...

In this poem by Sandra Cisneros, the speaker describes their aging grandfather. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to...

This poem is currently engraved on a bronze plaque and displayed on the Statue of Liberty's pedestal. The statue stands across from the historic Ellis Island, through which millions of immigrants came into the U.S. in the late 1800s and...

"The Odyssey" is an epic poem about a Greek hero named Odysseus, also known as Ulysses in Roman myths, and his 10-year journey home after the fall of Troy. In this excerpt, Ulysses encounters the Sirens while at sea. A specific purpose...

In this poem, Linda Pastan analyzes the experience of tourists visiting two iconic buildings in the city of Amsterdam: the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This...

In this poem, a speaker describes the effects of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts,...

This poem by Nikki Grimes uses the first stanza of Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear the Mask," as a speaker describes why they conceal their identity. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers...

This brief poem describes a mother watching her daughter ride away on her bike. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and answers, an annotation tool, and...

In this short story by Gwendolyn Brooks, a family contemplates losing their house. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and answers, an annotation tool, and...