Second graders investigate philosophy by researching the life of Mahatma Gandhi.  In this biographical lesson, 2nd graders listen to a reading of the book "Gandhi" and make a character map of his actions, feelings and thoughts....

Students read and analyze the poem, "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning. They examine the use of dramatic monologue as a poetic device, and write a character profile of the Duke.

Students analyze passages from The Mysteries of Love and Eloquence, or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing, written in the seventeenth century. Students analyze the images, words and figures of speech the author used and compare the...

Students study biographies as a nonfiction genre while examining a variety of examples. Next, they access and complete an online tutorial about biographies. They choose one person that interests them to conduct further research using a...

Students investigate the world of advertising and video production by creating their own commercial.  In this advertising lesson plan, students discuss a fictitious product which they create an advertising campaign for....

Fifth graders write poetry using imagery and practice poetry presentation. In this poetry lesson, 5th graders listen as the teacher reads a humorous poem using different voice modulations and presentation techniques. They discuss the...

Students examine the methods of effective characterization. In this writing skills lesson, students discuss how emotions, dialogue, actions, and physical descriptions build believable characters. Students then use the methods of...

Students describe some of the distinguishing characteristics background rhythms used in R&B. They perform typical R&B accompaniment patterns and develop their own horn section to play background rhythms.

Students discover that the actions of people can have a positive influence on a community. They use a variety of resources to research biographies of African Americans. Students research and discuss the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.,...

Students participate in a variety of activities surrounding Rock & Roll music, lyrics, drama and visual art and how they all help demonstrate examples of literary terms. They use Rock & Roll as an effective aid to stimulate their...

Students find 20 words that are new to them. They write the definition and drawing or symbol to help them remember the meaning of the word. Students use the context of the word from the book to help figure out the meaning of the word.

Students explore U.S. History by writing poems. For this United States leader biography lesson, students identify elements needed to create a good poem, and write a Bio-Poem about themselves. Students utilize the same form to write a...

Students extend their understanding of Milton Hershey. In this notable figures lesson, students create a paper quilt about Milton Hershey. Students use the template provided to design their own quilt square, including an illustration and...

Learners explore figurative language through poetry. In this poetry lesson, students view a video segment regarding the Cuban crab migration. Learners use similes and metaphors in poetry they create based on the journey the crabs make.

Learners explore the Mexican celebration el Dia de los Muertos. In this Mexican celebration lesson, students discuss ways people in the US honor the dead. Learners compare and contrast Mexican holidays and American holidays. Students...

Middle schoolers discover visual arts by examining a wall mural. In this art appreciation instructional activity, students discuss the history of art after researching information on the Internet. Middle schoolers view famous...

Practice spelling words that use prefixes, suffixes, and specific roots. In this grammar lesson plan, learners play a game where they compete with spelling words correctly to gain points. A short set of review questions are also...

Using a "Hamburger" essay outline and actual hamburger buns, you will demonstrate the role a thesis plays in a persuasive essay. This is a simplistic visual representation of how an argumentative paper should be composed and not an...

Ninth graders study how to identify and analyze the use of figurative language used in selected poems, short stories or other pieces of prose chosen by the teacher. These pieces of literature represent at least two pieces by one writer...

Students determine the rhyme scheme of a poem and find examples of similes. In this poetry analysis lesson plan, students review definitions needed for the topic and analyze the rhyme or rhythm for the example poems. Students also find...

Students identify use of onomatopoeia and can use it to write.

Students explore the use of sensory details in writing. In this journal writing lesson, students write four journal entries after group discussion about a variety of topics such as their weekend, poverty in the United States, and...

Students read and analyze Walt Whitman's poem, "Leaves of Grass." They compare/contrast Whitman's style to artist Takamori's style, and write an original poem about their childhood and fond memories.

Young scholars are introduced to similes and read various examples. Then students write their own similes to describe themselves and share them with the rest of the class.