National Endowment for the Humanities
Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Local Color in the Late 19th Century
Kate Chopin's The Awakening introduces readers not only to the lush Louisiana setting of Grand isle but also to the nuances of Creole culture. the second lesson in a three-part series examines how Chopin's use of literary realism and...
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Al Capone Does My Shirts
Students are introduced to the novel "Al Capone Does My Shirts". Using primary source documents, they identify the unique geographical differences between where they live and the setting in the novel. They complete a Venn diagram...
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Faces of the Family
Middle schoolers 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...
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Potter Book Review
Students describe the plot of the latest Harry Potter novel and comment on the highlights and weak points. They then evaluate the novel and understand the layout of a book review.
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Writing Novelettes
Students practice their writing techniques by creating a novelette. In this creating writing lesson, students brainstorm and decide on a topic they would like to expand upon in order to create their own novelette. Students...
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Learning to Love That Poetry
Second graders listen to the novel, "Love That Dog." students reflect in a journal each day about the poetry form learned that day. They create their own poems following that format and have it for class the next day.
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Maniac Magee Lesson Plan
Fifth graders read Jerry Spinelli's, Maniac Magee, which focuses on homelessness, illiteracy, and racism. They research Jerry Spinelli's biography and other works using the Internet, and write an on-line book review of Maniac Magee.
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
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Literature of the Islands and the Sea
Students read an age-appropriate novel in which an island setting plays an important role from a provided list. This will help them understand life on an island. They will analyze the plot, theme, characterization, setting, and style...
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The Need for Family and Home
Students read and analyze the novel, 'Homecoming.' They create a word web, analyze the theme of family and home, complete a writing assignment, research and develop a chart listing the needs of Students, and conduct research on foster care.
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Literature Study Contracts
Learners complete activities with a leveled chapter book. In this literature instructional activity, students read a novel and complete several graphic organizers and activities as they read. They focus on characters, settings,...
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Let Me Tell You What I Know
Fourth graders summarize a selected piece of fiction text. After completing a summary through guided practice, 4th graders, working in groups read a portion of the novel, "Hatchet." They write a summary paragraph using the process...
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"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson plan. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. ...
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Falling Leaves: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter
Students read the novel Falling Leaves. They evaluate the repeated story lines which compose the history of narration. They analyze and defend reasons why self-esteem affects the success or failure of characters.
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One Windy Wednesday
Students read and discuss the novel, "One Windy Wednesday." They complete a variety of activity cards and assignments associated with this novel. Each student draws windy day pictures, make a kite and record weather and kite observations.
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Year Down Yonder: Giving During the Depression
Students explore philanthropy. In this Great Depression instructional activity, students read A Year Down Yonder and share examples of philanthropic acts in the novel. Students observe acts of philanthropy in their own communities today.
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Year Down Yonder -- Giving During the Depression
Students define words used during the Great Depression. They identify examples of philanthropy in the novel "A Year Down Under". They illustrate of the acts in the book and share it with the class.
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The Little Prince (Chapters 1-4) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Students read Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and complete reading and vocabulary activities. For this reading and vocabulary lesson, students review vocabulary for the story and identify story elements for the text.
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Using O. Henry's the Ransom of Red Chief To Develop a Larger Vocabulary
Ninth graders expand their reading vocabulary in order to increase comprehension. They play a game using vocabulary from a novel.
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Use Literature to Teach Tolerance
Students listen as teachers read a different book or a different passage that focuses on the theme of tolerance. Students then write a paragraph each day to tell how that day's book/passage taught them the importance of tolerance.
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Understanding the Chapter
In this understanding chapter seven worksheet, young scholars read a story, skim for information, answer four literal questions, four inferential questions and two opinion questions.
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After Hamelin
Middle schoolers discuss the story The Pied Piper. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, middle schoolers participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance and further their understanding of the...
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Teaching Night with Web Research Assignments
Young scholars research the Holocaust. They read the autobiography, Night, by Elie Wiesel, conduct research on a child of the Holocaust, and write an essay comparing/contrasting the life of their selected child with that of Elie Wiesel.
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Comparing Similar Themes in Art And Literature
Students view examples of Rembrandt's artistic works that include beggars and the unfortunate. They also read The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischmann. They use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the themes shared by each.