Curated OER
Defining Character, With Help from History
In a single, soundly-designed class period, high schoolers define good character, think-pair-share about thought-provoking quotes on character (More options would enhance the discussion, worth searching online for other quotes to add.),...
Curated OER
Springfield Wiki Lesson - Literature Circles
Using a variety of novels about survival, such as Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, pupils create author's studies using wikis. First, learners are placed in groups to study a particular novel. Then, they create a page...
Curated OER
Hatchet: Concept Analysis
Take an in-depth look into Gary Paulsen's Hatchet with a concept guide. With a list and explanation of thematic motifs, types of conflicts, and vocabulary in the novel, learners will engage with the text in a whole new way.
District 186 Springfield Public Schools
Tone, Mood, Theme, and Motif
It's all well and good when you're asked to identify a speaker's tone using his or her body language, facial expression, and pitch and emphasis. Identifying the tone of a written passage is another challenge entirely. Check out an...
Curated OER
Acting as a Pre-write Tool
Second graders use acting to help them in a prewriting activity to develop a story. In this prewriting lesson plan, 2nd graders form a character map and brainstorm ideas for their story.
Curated OER
Understanding a Narrative: The True Story of Balto
Strong comprehension questions and a list of initiating events that drive the plot make this resource worth a try in your classroom. Intended for use with tools specific to the mindwing concepts reading strategy system, the outline...
Curated OER
Breaking News
High schoolers organize a newspaper article using a worksheet that helps them study the vocabulary of news articles. They write newspaper articles about mythical creatures invading contemporary Los Angeles.
Curated OER
Zigzag
First graders compare the main characters in the story Corduroy with those in Zigzag. They explore the themes of character, setting, problem, and resolution while viewing picture sets that show similarities and differences and discuss as...
Curated OER
Hogwarts
Students write an essay about the special qualities that they would bring to Hogwarts (or whatever the story setting). They set up a Harry Potter trivia game show with different characters acting as the host. They list their magical...
Curated OER
The Jungle Book Pt. 7
Quiz your class on the last pages of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Like the creative novel, quiz questions focus on talking animals and their relationships. Multiple-choice answers give readers a little bit of help.
Curated OER
Adventure Story
It's always fun to make up something together as a class. This fine lesson has children make up and illustrate a collaborative adventure story. The essential elements of a good story (setting, characters, plot, help, conclusion) are all...
Curated OER
Integrating the Craft of Writing into Physical Education
Incorporate writing into your physical education class. In groups, learners unscramble a list of words related to exercise and use them in their journal writings. Using their name, they write one word related to physical activity that...
Curated OER
Lemony Snicket Series Comes to an End (Unfortunately)
An informational text about Lemony Snicket leads to a discussion of the books class members have read in the Series of Unfortunate Events series. Children then compare and contrast the settings, plots, and characters in the...
Curated OER
The Song of the Lark
Using the internet, class members research the biography of Willa Cather, view photographs of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and read the novel, The Song of the Lark. They discuss the film, its setting and characters, and explore the...
Curated OER
Scrolling Along
Young scholars summarize the important parts of a story, identify the characters, and decide how to picture several scenes that describe the setting and action. They graphically represent the important elements of the story on a fabric...
Curated OER
Fairy Tale Story Planner
Provide your class with a way to plan their own fairy tale. Learners use this graphic organizer to help them plan their own original fairy tale by identifying the setting, characters, conflict, and conclusion for their story.
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Stories
Compare and contrast up to three stories with this graphic organizer! There are designated squares to capture information regarding the characters, setting, and problems of each story. Which are similar, and which are different? This...
Curated OER
The Rigors of Learning a New Language
Young scholars read an autobiography of a peace corps volunteer studying Chinese. In this cultural acceptance lesson, students compare the dialects of Chinese with English dialects. Young scholars discuss the differences in learning and...
Curated OER
Write a Story
Here is a great way to explore narrative writing! Learners review a previously constructed story map and identify the characters, setting, and main events in the book Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric A. Kimmel. They...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Clap Your Hands
Read Clap Your Hands to explore new vocabulary with your class. In this three-tiered vocabulary instructional activity, youngsters read the book and identify the plot, setting, and characters. They also define vocabulary terms from...
Curated OER
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Teachers who are about to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with their class may want to check out this PowerPoint. It goes through all of the literary elements present in the book: Characters, Setting, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax,...
La Jolla High School
Of Mice and Men: Looking at Themes
Feelings of loneliness and alienation drive the characters in John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men. Use this handout to set your class members up for a lesson on these big ideas. In addition to finding a couple of definitions...
Emotional & Behavioral Disorders and Learning Disabilities
Narrative Story Elements Matrix
Readers use a story elements matrix to identify the title, setting, characters, point of view, problem, and solution in four narratives. The template could be used to prepare for a compare/contrast exercise.
Teacherfiles
Basic Story Map
Here’s an all-purpose story map template that readers can use to keep track of books read for class, of independent reading, and even for stories planned. Users identify the title, author, major characters, setting, and events from the...