"X" is for exaggeration, and "F" is for fact. To encourage close reading and to improve literary analysis skills, class members annotate fables and tall tales, like Paul Bunyan, with symbols that identify key features of this genre.

Students compare modern-day books to manuscripts from the 13th century. In this comparative literature lesson plan, students observe various manuscripts and resources from given links. Websites and links are included along with extension...

Eighth graders examine the linguistic and cultural impact of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the Spanish language. They analyze and label maps, listen to and differentiate between Spanish and Arabic music, and compare and...

Students develop reading strategies: inferring meaning from context. They work together in order to negotiate the meaning of the various vocabulary items. Students predict the personality of the main character in each of the books.

Positive character traits in literature are explored in this character development and literacy lesson plan. Learners listen to Cinderella by Charles Perrault and Little Gold Star by Robert D. San Souci, followed by a discussion...

A special education classroom examines a variety of literature from Latin American authors. In groups, they read excerpts from many autobiographies and compare them with their own life. After writing their own autobiographies, they...

Teach learners how to interact with both fiction and non-fiction text with a packet of activities and worksheets. After looking over text structure and the difference in text features between different types of writing,...

Students use context clues to determine an understanding for vocabulary words in texts. In this vocabulary lesson plan, students recognize linguistic features in their readings to help them to figure out words.

Students examine the influences of the Hispanic groups from Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. In groups, they research the history of Mexico and read excerpts from a book in Spanish to practice their vocabulary. To end the lesson, they...

Learners read, write about, and cook with rice in this home economics lesson plan. They reflect on the experience eating rice at home or in other ethnic foods.

Learners embark on a journey through colonial times.  In this early settlement lesson, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Learners research and create projects illustrating their...

Students study the westward movement through examining stamps. In this westward movement lesson plan, students draw conclusions, determine cause and effect relationships and examine the westward movement of the United States by...

Students explore the concept of measuring length using a one-inch pipe cleaner "inchworm." They listen to the story "Inch By Inch by Leo Lionni and discuss how the animals were measured by the inchworm in the book. In pairs students...

Students discover, through analysis of media and of primary source historical documents, how Jews achieved high levels of assimilation and acceptance under Islamic rule during the Golden Age of Spain, from the tenth to the twelfth century.

Students explore the tales of Greek mythology and discuss what it means to be a hero. They associate acts of epic heroism with philanthropy noting that these characters acted in a larger than life manner to secure the common good.

This lesson plan is perfect in an ESL classroom. "Abuela's Weave" is the story of a young girl from Guatemala and the beautiful tapestry she creates. Includes prereading questions, vocabulary, and activities to integrate into other...

In this lesson plan, students will consider "Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: The First Great Latin American Poet." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.

This is a wonderful resource for teachers who want to help children appreciate the place spiders have in the world and lessen their fear of spiders. Includes 7 sequenced lessons/units with detailed teacher notes, student activities,...

This site focuses on the 6+1 TraitTM Writing framework.