Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Of Mice and Men: Novel Study

For Teachers 8th - 10th Standards
Why is personification such a popular literary device for many authors? Learners answer the question as they engage in activities from the novel study for the classic Of Mice and Men. They also scan the novel to find examples of the...
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

One-Eyed Cat: Novel Study

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
The Great Depression was a devastating period in American history that lasted for an entire decade. Using an enlightening novel study, scholars uncover additional facts about the era. They also write quatrain poems focusing on themes...
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Homeless Bird: Novel Study

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Many people face the struggle between tradition and desire to forget their own paths. A study guide for the novel Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan discusses the issue of adhering to tradition from the perspective of a protagonist who...
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail: Novel Study

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Discover Buckingham Palace during the reign of Queen Victoria, all from the perspective of a mouse seeking his identity. With the novel study for The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail, scholars answer questions about the text and write...
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Wonder: Novel Study

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Beauty is more than skin deep. Auggie, the main character in Wonder, has a facial defect, but his inner beauty shines. Taking a cue from Auggie, scholars learn how a person is more than outer appearance. To finish the resource, they...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

What Can We Learn from Sediments?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Varve: a deposit of cyclical sediments that help scientists determine historical climates. Individuals analyze the topography of a region and then study varve datasets from the same area. Using this information, they determine the...
Unit Plan
Thoughtful Education Press

Personal Narratives: Learning from Lessons Life Teaches Us

For Teachers 7th Standards
"First Appearance," Mark Twain's tale about overcoming stage fright, serves as a model of a personal narrative and gets young writers thinking about milestones in their own lives. After examining student models and considering the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go Jump In The Lake!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners experiment with local lake water to determine the health of the lake waters. They explore the human impact on the lake water, hypothesize and share inferences in a scientific report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Julie of the Wolves"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of the Dust 3

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read the novel, Out of the Dust, and complete a cause and effect chart and a character chart. When the book is completed, they answer review questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tale of Despereauz

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read text and draw inferences or conclusions about the text. In this reading lesson, 4th graders discuss their opinions on what was read and state why they think that way to a partner.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archeology of the Future

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are introduced to the basic vocabulary of archeology. Using the vocabulary, they classify artifacts and make inferences about their uses. In groups, they create a chart for the criteria needed to analyze artifacts and share...
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Analyzing Literary Elements in Literary Nonfiction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the literary elements of a nonfiction text. In this literary elements lesson plan, 4th graders read the text Piano Starts Here--The Young Art Tatum and fill in a chart that includes the events from the book....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Imagery with Gary Paulsen

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read excerpts from memoirs written by Gary Paulsen as examples of how to write a narrative piece. They identify figurative language used and then they write a memoir of their own that contains imagery and figurative language.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Poet's Message-"The Colored Soldier" by Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the poem, "The Colored Soldier" by Langston Hughes to gain a greater experience of how poets use language to create meaning, influence thinking and thus become pioneers of change in American society. They work on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Differences Between Fiction and Nonfiction Books

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore the differences between fiction and non-fiction book. For this genre study lesson, students read examples of fiction and non-fiction and identify the characteristics of each genre. Students list the characteristics on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Seasons of the Year

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn about the four seasons. They collaborate in pairs, publish a book, and share with the class. They also brainstorm and collaborate with each other providing literacy skills through listening, speaking and writing activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thanksgiving Mourning

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the way diverse groups can perceive a shared experience in a dramatically different light.  Students read commentary written by Native American writers and find examples of different points of view. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Underground Railroad in the I and M Canal Area

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss provocative statements about the Underground Railroad and form opinions. They locate and read a selection on the Internet that either supports of discredits their written opinions. They then read a speech by John Hossack.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Call It Courage

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete many activities and lessons based on a reading of "Call It Courage." They watch the video, complete computer based writing assignments, and prepare writing folders in the art center. They practice their word...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Roll Robots!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students write a story about robots. In this creative writing activity, students read a story about robots, make their own robot, and write a story about their robot. In addition, the lesson plan suggests taking photos of the robots to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Chart

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create charts for story elements. They read two selections that share a common theme and discuss the story elements. They create a chart for the characters, plot, and setting and complete it while reading the selections.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry

For Teachers K
Students explore feelings. In this language arts lesson, students realize that books help in talking about feelings. Students discuss how they feel during the reading of a story and listen to each other in answering various comprehension...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Come On, Rain!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students read and analyze the story. In this language arts lesson, students read Come on, Rain! and examine how mood and tone are created, the use of figurative language and the characteristics of the genre. Students research the...