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Writing Children's Literature
Young scholars examine the common themes and characteristics of children's literature. They develop a list of characteristics, read and discuss examples of children's literature, and create an original children's book.
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Around the Room Short Story
Collective story writing is a great way to reinforce the concept of story elements and collaborative learning. Young writers discuss story elements such as, setting, character, action, climax, conclusion, foreshadowing, dialogue, and...
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Dig A Little Deeper
Here is a great lesson on recognizing events and themes in a story. Students read chapters from a chosen book and then fill out a graphic organizer to further explore the purpose of the chapter. They write the events, themes, author's...
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Gift of the Magi Lesson Plan 3
Explore the literary concept of theme through the The Gift of the Magi. Starting with a class discussion, the concept of theme is explored through examples from famous stories and movies. Next, the class analyzes the possible themes of...
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On the Beach: Disabled and Mother's Pride
What do an early 20th century poet and a 1980's rock star have in common with a novel from the 1960's? Using Wilfred Owen's poem "Disabled" and George Michael's song "Mother's Pride," learners answer questions about the lyrics and themes...
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Ray Bradbury Short Stories - Independent Reading Activity
A straightforward lesson about the themes in Ray Bradbury's short stories, this activity allows learners to first work independently and then share their analyses with the class. They read "The Other Foot" as well as another story from...
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Characterization of Mice and Men
Using a SMART board presentation (provided), your class discusses the characterization of Lenny, George, Curley, Curley's wife, and the farmhands in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. The presentation includes a list of traits for...
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All the King's Men Theme of Drugs and Alcohol
In this literary analysis worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer and essay questions based on themes of Drugs and Alcohol in All the King's Men. Students also debate the validity of two thesis statements about the text.
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All My Sons Theme of Guilt and Blame
In this literary analysis worksheet, students respond to 3 short answer and essay questions about guilt and blame in All My Sons. Students also read and debate two thesis statements about how the suburban community is to blame in the...
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Theme: The Search for Meaning
Students explore themes. In this literary elements lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation defining and describing examples of common theme traits. Students read several short passages, then infer the theme of each story.
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Do You Dare to Dream?
Third graders discover the meaning behind dream catchers. In this themes and symbols in art instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss the meaning of Native American dream catchers. Students use paper plates, beads, and feathers to make...
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Problems and Their Solutions in Stories and Everyday Life
Students identify story elements. In this stories lesson, students read a story and identify the chracter, character traits, plot, setting and theme. Groups of students match problem and solution cards.
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Details, Details: How Choices Reveal Character, Setting, Tone, and Theme. (Analyzing and Interpreting, Making Inferences)
Students respond to works of art. In this art interpretation lesson, students examine images of art while using concepts they learned as they read literary pieces. They detail the setting, characters, and the mood and theme of the works...
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Identifying Main Idea and Supporting Details - The Stonecutter's Wish
Students identify details that support the theme of a story. In this main idea or theme lesson, students view a video of "The Stonecutter's Wish." Students are given a graphic organizer to use as they discuss the main idea of...
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Writing an Interpretive Essay to Describe a Theme - The Red Shoes
Young scholars explore the concept of literature themes. In this theme lesson, students watch a video segment of "The Red Shoes." Young scholars discuss the author's message regarding friendship and then write a friendship essay.
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Cinderella Is A Fella
Second graders identify the universal theme in the Cinderella story. In this fairy tale lesson plan, 2nd graders develop their vocabularies as they read a variation of Cinderella.
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Literature: Watching Anna
Learners view the PBS presentation of Leo Tolstoy's, "Anna Karenina." Prior and after each episode, they discuss plot and characterization and in one lesson, use adjectives to describe each of the main characters. Then, students create...
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How Tragic!
Tenth graders read and study, in-depth, a specific classical tragedy, in this case, Oedipus. They explore strategies from making meaning out of or interpreting texts, as well as strategies for determining how authors create meaning in...
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Animal Farm
Students read Animal Farm and examine how power corrupts. They role-play situations involving power and control. They investigate corruption and abuse of power in society. They write propaganda articles and hold panel discusssionsabout...
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Ellis Wilson: A High School Art Lesson
Students study the principles of design and element of the art of Ellis Wilson. They examine how art can create social commentary.
Beacon Learning Center
Challenging the Human Spirit
High schoolers select a theme-related essay topic from Night, by Elie Wiesel, or The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, and develop an essay that relates the theme to modern-day personal experiences. The essay follows a preset rubric...
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Evaluating a Book By Its Cover
Students practice using predictive strategies before reading a book. In this literacy lesson, students identify the theme and characters of the novel based on the cover illustrations.
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Fahrenheit 451 Symbol & Test Review
Although the second page of this two-page sheet probably won't benefit you much (considering you won't have the materials referenced), you could still use the first page to assess your class's understanding of the symbols used in...
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Macbeth - Analyzing Characterization in Drama
The writing activity in this instructional activity could be used to assess student understanding of previously taught concepts of how language reveals character.