Curated OER
Much Ado About Nothing: Bloom's Taxonomy Questioning Strategy
Do your class members’ questions lack depth? “Sigh no more . . .sigh no more.” Use a questioning strategy based on Bloom’s taxonomy to encourage readers to create questions that probe the themes of any text. The model discussion...
English is a Piece of Cake
Emotional Intelligence
How would you describe a great leader? Explore the theme of leadership with a unit that focuses on emotional intelligence, and how great leaders have a strong sense of emotional intelligence.
Reed Novel Studies
The Lions of Little Rock: Novel Study
A true friend sticks with you through thick and thin. Marlee and Liz, main characters in The Lions of Little Rock, have that type of friendship. Scholars learn vocabulary and answer comprehension questions as they read how the two girls...
EngageNY
Point of View: Comparing Esperanza's and Isabel's Perspectives About Life in the Camp (Chapter 7: "Las Cebollas/Onions")
Explore point of view and more with a Common Core-designed instructional activity. Learners experience different points of view by representing one of two characters from Esperanza Rising during a partner discussion. They must use...
EngageNY
Launching To Kill A Mockingbird: Establishing Reading Routines (Chapter 1)
Scholars use a Story Impressions Note-catcher to capture their first impressions of words or phrases from To Kill a Mockingbird. They then listen to a reading of the first six pages of the novel before the teacher asks questions to check...
Writing Educators Symposium
Asking the Right Questions
It can be difficult to find the theme of a book or story if you don't know the questions to ask. Teach your kids to discern the universal theme in works of literature with a set of activities that promote critical thinking and...
Anti-Defamation League
The Hate U Give
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas became a quick hit in the young adult literature genre before its adaptation in the 2018 film of the same name. Use a thorough lesson, discussion guide, and series of activities to discuss the social...
Prestwick House
The Crucible
Characters and events in The Crucible provide the clues for a crossword puzzle that asks readers to demonstrate their knowledge of Arthur Miller's allegorical play.
New York State Education Department
Comprehensive English Examination: August 2015
Looking at literature through a critical lens helps readers connect the text to the larger world. An essay examining the theme "There is no ill in the world without a remedy" forms the main part of a sample comprehensive English...
Prestwick House
Analyzing Multiple Interpretations of Literature
There is a reason why an Oscar is given each year for the Best Adaptation Screenplay. Adaptations are the focus of an exercise that asks class members to compare a work of literature with a least one adaptation of the work into a...
EngageNY
Launching the Novel: Character Analysis of Ha
Scholars receive numbers as they work in groups to read Inside Out & Back Again. The instructor calls out specific numbers for readers to share the group's thoughts. Then, they use a model passage to demonstrate the effective actions...
Professional Development Institute
Cause and Effect: Dear Mr. Henshaw
Examine the events of Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary with a straightforward activity. The page focuses on the events of the story, and in particular on cause and effect. For ten events in the story, either the cause or effect is...
EngageNY
Researching Part 2: Reading for Gist and Gathering Evidence Using the Researcher’s Notebook
The gist should be short and sweet! Pupils practice finding the gist of an informational text and then write a summary of the text. Next, they gather with their research teams to discuss a focus question based on the novel Bud, Not Buddy...
K20 LEARN
A Visual Exploration Of Theme: Picture The Theme
"What is the theme of this story?" Now there's a question that can strike fear in the hearts of learners. Here's a lesson that uses photographs to introduce the concept of theme. Scholars examine six photographs and then attach a theme...
Curated OER
A Separate Peace: Chapter 13 Reading And Study Guide
In this comprehension check worksheet, students define 3 vocabulary words, define 1 literary term, and respond to 6 short answer questions pertaining to chapter 13 of A Separate Peace by John Knowlesin order to help them better...
Curated OER
Bridging the Centuries: Teaching the Nineteenth Century English Novel Today
Students compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during the 19th...
Curated OER
A Separate Peace: Chapter 12 Reading And Study Guide
In this comprehension check worksheet, young scholars define 4 vocabulary words, define 1 literary term, and respond to 8 short answer questions pertaining to chapter 12 of A Separate Peace by John Knowles in order to help them better...
Curated OER
To Kill a Mockingbird Test
In this novel test, students complete a variety of questions including true/false, short answer, fill in the blank, essay,matching and bonus questions. The cover page of the test contains a area to record the student's score.
Curated OER
Summer Reading and Writing Assignment: Fahrenheit 451
Twelfth graders explore Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In this reading and writing instructional activity, 12th graders read the book and think of five books to save from the fire. Students write an essay explaining why they'd save...
Curated OER
Philanthropy in A Christmas Carol
Students explore philanthropy in literature. For this cross curriculum literacy and character development lesson, students read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and note charitable acts described in the story. Students relate story...
Spark Notes
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer and essay questions about Stephen Crane's Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature instructional activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Students may check some of their answers online.