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"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
High schoolers read and analyze the short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They take notes while reading the story, select an element to analyze, and write an essay about the characters, theme, or the setting.
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Bunnicula
Learners create a dictionary of vocabulary after reading a story. Individually, they create a story web making sure to include all of the basic story elements. They also create a timeline and write a book report of all important events.
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Into the Wild: Creating Characters
Students analyze well-known fairy tale characters to learn about characterization. After choosing two fairy tale characters and determining what the characters most want and most fear, students switch characters and stories. They...
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Characters' Coming of Age
Students develop older versions of child or adolescent characters from favorite works of literature, adapting them for teenage or adult sequels. They each outline a sequel and write its first chapter.
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Economics: People as Producers and Consumers
Students examine the dual roles of producers and consumers in people by creating fictional stories that include examples of both. Their stories include descriptions of the tools and skills needed for the jobs of their characters and...
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Character's Qualities
Sixth graders analyze the a character's qualities and the effects of these qualities on the plot and the resolution of the conflict in the story "The Pigman and Me." They develop a list of the qualities, discuss if these qualities were...
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After Hamelin
Middle schoolers discuss the story The Pied Piper. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance and further their understanding of the story. Middle...
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Questioning the Reader
Young scholars consider various reading strategies to improve their understanding and fluency. They review their assessment task and rubric for how their work will be evaluated. They read a story and predict what will happen by...
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What Really Happened?
Sixth graders recreate scenes from the theories about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. In this history and theatre lesson plan, 6th graders review the story of Earhart using a flip chart. Students work on one act plays to depict one...
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Sequence and Retell - The Napping House
Students sequence the story The Napping House by keeping trace of the characters in order. In this sequencing lesson plan, students also retell the story as they sequence.
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Picturing People
Students look at the varied ways the human body is portrayed in contemporary media. They discuss what a character is and how it plays a role in telling stories. Students look at examples of objects like dolls, puppets and toys that...
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Robin Hood: England's Man of Mystery
Students study the tale of Robin Hood to further their knowledge of character traits, improve their vocabularies, and increase their knowledge of the Medieval Ages. In this Robin Hood lesson, students complete 14 lessons that help them...
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Shadow Puppetry in South India
Students read a variety of literature from India, including folktales and fables. They then select a scene or story to script, work together to design and craft shadow puppets of characters and scenery, narrate a story, manipulate the...
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A Little Advice
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a passage on how to write a fiction story. They then write their story using the ideas in the passage. There is a discussion point provided on this page. The students also complete...
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Sound Effects
Young scholars listen carefully so they can say their "part" during a reading of a Cinderella story. In this listening and speaking lesson, students saying their "part" on cue during a reading of a familiar story. They actively listen to...
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Most Wanted Villians
Students review the characteristics of various characters in fairytales. As a class, they review the story details and create a concept map using a software program. They create their own wanted poster of the villians in the fairytale to...
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Probably Passage
Students apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency. They use their imagination and create their own short stories. They identify words as various parts of the story - including setting, character, problem, solution...
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Forest Activity: The Forest as Inspiration for Literature
Students analyze the role of the forest in literature. They read various literature selections, analyze the role the forest played as a setting, character, or symbol, and complete a writing activity.
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Frog and Toad
Second graders use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast buttons after listening to the story, A Lost Button.
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Gingerbread Baby Language Arts/Grammer #6
Students are read the story "Gingerbread Baby". They draw and cut out the characters from the story and create a mobile to hang from their classroom ceiling. They write a sentence using a verb on the back.
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Gingerbread Baby Board Game #10
Students are read the book "Gingerbread Baby". They examine the journey the baby traveled in the story and in turn create a game board. They draw pictures along the board to show different parts of the story.
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Message in a Bottle
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
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Design a Book Cover
Class members take on the role of graphic designer and craft a cover for a book they are reading. Individuals formulate a proposal outlining the images they will use to not only grab the interest of readers, but hint at the mood and...
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Gingerbread Baby v. Gingerbread Boy #7
Students compare and contrast the gingerbread baby in their story to the original gingerbread boy. They use a Venn diagram to easily see the similarities and differences.