Students explore philanthropy through art. In this service learning instructional activity, students discuss the diversity in their community and use their senses to create tolerance posters.

Young scholars read and analyze selections of Tennessee Williams' work. They write journal responses, conduct Internet research, perform various scenes from one of Williams' dramas, and create a presentation.

High schoolers read and analyze the Rudolfo Anaya novel Bless Me, Ultima. They discuss passages from the book, watch a video, view and analyze a mural of Mexican American artwork, and write a journal response.

Ninth graders publish a magazine during a ten week marking period. They make individual contributions to the group project that is based on career choices. They write and publish articles, poems, entertainment pieces, and a play that...

Students complete activities with the book The Birthday Swap by Loretta Lopez. In this literature lesson, students answer pre-reading questions, locate new vocabulary, and read the story. They answer comprehension questions,...

Students explore communism from historical and theoretical perspectives to present to fellow classmates at a teach-in. Each team of students be responsible for researching and presenting on one of the suggested topics in the lesson.

Fifth graders read the selection Black Cowboy, Wild Horses and identify characteristics of self-discipline shown by story's main character, Bob Lemmons. Students then identify some of their own traits of self-discipline and reflect upon...

In this literature worksheet, students, after reading the book Trumpet of the Swan, survey their friends to find out who was their favorite character from the novel. Students keep a tally sheet with their findings on it.

Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America instructional activity, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre...

Eleventh graders are introduced to Transcendentalism through the writing of Emerson and Thoreau. They keep a journal in which they respond to quotes and prompts. Students write longer essays on conformity, being alone and a "field...

Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students pull together to clean up a community park and reflect on the experience through literature.

Combine the elements of dance with the actions in a poem. Learners review basic grammar, write an action-packed cinquain poem, and then choreograph a dance based on their cinquains. After the dances are done, they'll discuss the elements...

Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau.  In this philosophical traditions lesson plan, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work,...

A series of three PDF documents providing definitions of commonly used terms when preparing to write a literary analysis, explaining how to comment on a literary text, and demonstrating the process of analyzing the literary text "Hills...

Teach your students the Newbury award winning novel "Bridge to Terabithia" by Elizabeth Paterson with the help of this twenty-two page study guide. Themes include identity, loneliness, loss, responsibility, childhood and friendship....

Discover close readings, critical interpretations, and personal responses to Shakespeare's sonnets, the poetry of John Donne, and more.

Complete study guide to V. S. Naipaul's "A House for Mr. Biswas," providing pre-reading material, brainstorming activities, and thought-provoking discussion and writing prompts on plot, character, and theme. Students who have completed...

What are the major roles in literature circles? Check out this site to learn more about the individual roles needed to form a literature circle. Includes links to various reading handouts and lessons.

Find close readings, critical interpretations, and personal responses to the works of key 20th-century playwrights and practitioners, including Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Shelagh Delaney, and Timberlake Wertenbaker.