Curated OER
Analyzing the Use of Irony in a Short Story
Ninth graders examine how literature connects to real-life and see how irony aids in the development of theme. They read Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, and discuss elements of foreshadowing and situational irony. Then learners will write...
Curated OER
Sing Me a Story!
Sixth graders explore lyrics, phrases, and the beats in each phrase. They select a nursery rhyme, set it to a simple tune they already know, and match the tune with the same number of beats per phrase with a poem with the identical...
Curated OER
The Witch of Goingsnake
Students listen to The Ballad of Ira Hayes and write paragraphs about his character. In this The Witch of Goingsnake lesson, students read the verses and chorus of the ballad aloud and make notes about Ira Hayes. Students write a...
Curated OER
The Verbal Sketch
Students use perspective observation sketches to understand verbal description. In this subjective writing lesson, students practice writing subjective conversations using the cartoon worksheets.
Curated OER
Literary Terms
In this literary terms worksheet, students define and discuss ten literary terms associated with literature and complete a word search puzzle.
Curated OER
Boombox Classroom: Music and Language
In this music and speech worksheet, students find similarities between language and music. Students also tell about their own language. Students also may write the 7 music letters.
Curated OER
Deerfield Families
To understand the consequences of the 1704 attack on Deerfield by combined French and Native American forces, groups research primary and secondary resources related to four Deerfield families involved in the attack.
Curated OER
Burns' Night and dialect
Students explore poetry and dialect. They research Burn's Night and how people celebrate it. Students examine the Scottish dialect and its similarities to English grammar. Students write their own poetry.
Curated OER
Paul Revere's Ride-Fact or Fiction?
Students discuss Paul Revere's ride. In this social studies lesson, students read Paul Revere's Ride and compare the differences between the poem and the historical event.
Curated OER
Why Do We Remember Revere? Paul Revere's Ride in History and Literature
Students examine primary documents regarding Paul Revere's ride and its role in the Revolutionary War. They consider how Revere's role has been written about by Longfellow and others and discuss the discrepancies between accounts.
Curated OER
The Highwayman
Fifth graders re-read the story "The Highwayman" understanding the term "narrative verse". As a paired activity, they predict who or what might be the audience and provide feedback.
Curated OER
Introducing Tolkien and His Words
Students identify and describe the types of narratives that made Tolkien the writer he was. In groups, they examine different myths and folktale motifs. They discuss what Tolkien meant by "faerie" and "eucatastrophe." As a class, they...
Curated OER
Learning Festival
Fifth graders at this age are very interested in the adventures of knighthood and life in the past, so the unit will serve as a basis for teaching skills while maintaining high interest.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Ballads About Relatives
In this lesson students will write 4-lined ballads about their relatives.
University of Michigan
Making of America: Illustrated Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes
A complete, searchable text of "Illustrated Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes," which was illustrated by George Randolph Barse and others.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: An I Pod Inspired Writing Lesson: The Dust Bowl Blues
The 1930's Dust Bowl era was about the grueling times of people suffering in the drought-stricken region of the Oklahoma pan handle. This activity will help students to gain an understanding of the plights of the people. Using Woody...
University of Michigan
Making of America: Ballads of New England
This site from the University of Michigan provides access to online text for "Ballads of New England," an 1870 collection of Whittier's poetry. Poems can be viewed in plain-text format or as page-by-page images from the original work.
Other
Poetry.net: "The Chronicle of the Drum" by Thackeray
The complete text of William Makepeace Thackeray's poem "The Chronicle of the Drum", a narrative of French military history. This ballad was written in Paris, in 1841, at the time of the second funeral of Napoleon.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Music From the Ashes
This is a self-guided learning unit on the topic of poetry. Included are lessons, self-assessments, background information, learning activities, and related literature. Learn how to analyze poetry, appreciate figurative language, and...
University of Pennsylvania
U Penn: Poetic Terms and Types
Click on these terms for an excellent definition of these poetic terms, some from the Oxford English Dictionary. Includes types of poetry as well as terms.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Rossetti Archive: Digital Scholarship With Wombattitude
A comprehensive archive of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's writings and paintings. This hypermedia archive contains detailed information on the life and works of this famous man.
Other
The Confederation Poets: Bliss Carman (1861 1929)
A great resource on Confederation poet Bliss Carman. This site provides numerous primary texts and essays on Carman's writing style.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: The First Black Female Poet?
This article looks at a ballad, 'Bars Fight,' by 18th century African-American writer Lucy Terry. It considers the literary qualities of a ballad, and its historical role in society. It then goes on to consider why a Black slave might...
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Margaret Walker
This is a site devoted to the life and times of the African American poet Margaret Walker. Among the numerous links found on the page are links to full texts of 16 poems, questions from an audience, a panel's discussion of her poetry, a...