To begin this lesson, class members examine Antonius Hockelmann's painting "Tree Flowers II," record elements of the painting that they notice, and share their observations with a partner. Next, pupils do a close reading of Jericho...

Propaganda posters are powerful. Using images from The Art of War: American Poster Art 1941-1945 exhibit, young historians analyze the symbols, images, colors, and text used to rally support for World War II. Through seven activities,...

Keeping readers focused during literature discussion circles can sometimes be a challenge. Check out this worksheet that ensures accountability by establishing six very specific, very different roles for group members: facilitator,...

What do The Simpsons, Survivor, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and Nine Inch Nails all have in common? They all include allusions to Lord of the Flies. Strange but true! An 18-slide presentation introduces viewers to the many layers of William...

Packed with activities, projects, and assessments, first-time instructors and seasoned veterans will find much to like in this overview of a nine-part unit based on William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies.

A 27-slide presentation introduces language arts pupils to archetypal symbols often found in the literature. Included are character archetypes, situational archetypes, and image archetypes. Each type is defined, and slides have examples...

Crafting a sound analysis and interpretation of a poem requires paying attention to specific elements and devices used by the poet. A Poetry Explication Sheet asks readers to make notes on particular aspects of a poem and find examples...

Provide high school scholars preparing for the AP Literature exam with a list of terms they need to know about poetry. The list, which includes definitions and examples of types of poems, concepts, and vocabulary, is a handy reference.

A 15-page packet details three activities designed to engage scholars in Homer's The Odyssey. As they read, pupils use a graphic organizer to record examples of several literary terms found in The Odyssey and contemporary culture. Groups...

Are you thinking about incorporating a film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel in a study of The Great Gatsby? Check out a guide loaded with suggestions for how to supplement a reading of the novel with scenes from three film...

Times change; behaviors that were once considered acceptable can be seen in a very different light. Middle schoolers revisit the legacy of George Washington in a three-day lesson plan that uses primary sources to reveal Washington as a...

A jar becomes a symbol of gratitude in an activity that challenges scholars to reflect on themselves. Learners decorate a jar to add a touch of personalization. Once ready, prompts offer participants a question or sentence frame that...

Volition, or will-power, is the focus of a lesson that brings forth the Native symbol, the Circle of Life, to instill the importance of responsible decision-making. Scholars take part in six activities that empower them to reflect on...

When you look at me, what do you see? Young learners answer this question by creating a portrait that reflects the identity of one of their peers. First, class members create interview questions. Then, they interview classmates to...

Margaret Atwood calls her novel The Handmaid's Tale "speculative fiction" because she claims everything in the story has happened, is continuing to happen, and could happen again. With an interactive resource, learners examine three...

The Valley of Ashes, the billboard advertising Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and Wilson's garage are haunting symbols that F. Scott Fitzgerald uses to bring into focus the dark side of the American Dream. A resource from the PBS American Masters...

If you think logically, AI is all about symbols. An instructional video explains the development of symbolic artificial intelligence. Viewers see how AI translates problems of interest into symbols and then apply propositional logic to...

An article details everything you need to know about celebrating Kwanzaa at your school. An opening-day ceremony starts the seven-day holiday celebration followed a daily routine that includes a greeting, candle lighting, reciting an...

Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" provides middle schoolers with an opportunity to hone their close reading and literary analysis skills. After annotating their copy of the story, writer's craft an essay in which they analyze...

The AP Literature and Composition exam is all about close reading. Test takers are presented with a passage and asked to analyze how an author uses literary devices to create a desired effect. Prepare your students for the exam with a...

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...

Have everything you need to know about the elements of poetry with a nine-page handout. Split into four categories—word sounds, meanings, arrangement, and imagery—budding poets may reference terms, read definitions, descriptions, and...

Pupils puzzled by pedigree charts? Not anymore! Show them proper pedigree protocol using a short video from an excellent biology playlist. Content includes pedigree symbols and terminology, interpreting pedigrees of various lengths, and...

Starting in 2015, all chemicals must have a pictogram of the associated chemical hazards. A brain-building activity reviews four of the basic symbols found in a typical science laboratory. Through a fun puzzle, scholars apply their...