Curated OER
Sharing is Giving-The Drive
Students identify acts of philanthropy. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the term "hero" and read the book Stone Soup. Students discuss soup kitchens and complete a Venn diagram analyzing the differences between governmental...
Curated OER
Exploring American Tall Tales
Students explore elements of American folktales and tall tales. In this literature lesson, students read examples of American folktales and tall tales and prepare a monologue or news report to present to the class based on their readings.
Curated OER
Convincing Characters
Students create vivid, active characters for a story. In this character lesson, students discuss the characters in books they are familiar with. Students create a list of novels they have read and discuss the character types. Students...
Curated OER
Japanese American Baseball in the Camps
Learners study Japanese American internment camps. In this American history lesson plan, students compare and contrast the camp internees' experiences with with team sports-related challenges learners have encountered. Students discuss...
Curated OER
I Am What I Think I Am!
Learners study conative and cognitive strengths through characters in literature. In this conative and cognitive strength instructional activity, students read about a favorite character or historical person. They make a chart of the...
Curated OER
Tuck Everlasting: UDL Team Lesson Plan
Middle schoolers participate in a differentiated lesson about Tuck Everlasting. In this Tuck Everlasting lesson, students work on comprehension strategies that are leveled for their reading ability. They focus on the ability to tell the...
Curated OER
Fiction Elements in Hatchet
Young scholars read or listen to Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, identify elements of fiction, develop writing, thinking, and organizing skills, and create PowerPoint slides based on the story.
Curated OER
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech
Students read the book Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech on their own. They answer a variety of questions each day over certain pages of the book that were required for that days completion.
Curated OER
Finding My Hat
Sixth graders explore the Korean culture through the book, Finding My Hat. They read and discuss the book in literature circles and write in response journals after each chapter. Comparing the main character to themselves, they note the...
Curated OER
Literature Response Lesson Plans
Literature responses are a meaningful way to strengthen student comprehension.
Curated OER
"The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" Lesson Plans
"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" provides a great way for students to delve into literature, history, and the imagination.
Curated OER
Dear Diary
Work on narrative writing with this lesson, in which middle schoolers analyze the characters from a selected piece of literature and write narrative diary pieces as the character. They work to understand the point of view of the...
Curated OER
Gordon Parks:First Survival, Then Success
Have your class examine the work of Gordan Parks. They determine how Park's childhood in Kansas inspired his artwork as they analyze his writings and photographs. Students complete the provided worksheets as they compare, contrast, and...
Curated OER
Phineas Gage: Assessment Strategy
Close up your study of Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science with a letter-writing assignment. Pupils prepare by journaling and sharing with a partner. They then compose letters that focus on a big idea from the...
Lesson Planet
Black History Month Through Poetry
Black History Month is a great time to discuss African-American poets in your classroom.
Novelinks
The Giver: Vocabulary Bingo!
Bingo! Combine the thrill of bingo with Lois Lowry's The Giver in a fun vocabulary lesson. Kids write selected vocabulary words from the novel onto a bingo chart, and then listen for the correct definitions in order to mark off their words.
Curated OER
Celebrating Halloween through Language and Literature
Use the theme of Halloween to spice up campfire stories, journal writing, and presentations in your classroom.
Curated OER
Celebrating Our Connections Through Water
Students examine the role of water in ceremonies around the world. In this world history instructional activity, students explore how other cultures celebrate water. They create a Water Day for younger students to participate in.
Curated OER
Lesson Plans on the Intersection of History and Literature
Finding out about "the story behind the story" can provide a greater understanding of literature and its historical and social context.
Curated OER
Maintaining Student Motivation in Novel Studies
You can maintain student motivation through independent book study.
Curated OER
Identifying the Theme in a Story
Students recognize Theme through the use of simple, short stories. Using Pro Quest, students begin by researching the literary element, theme, and how it can be identified. They then identify the themes in Aesop's Fables and other short...
Curated OER
Nonfiction Lessons That Motivate
Incorporating nonfiction lessons into literature instruction can be interesting and engaging for all students.
PBS
Being Heard
Examine the work of contemporary authors who use their writing to express opinions about the struggle against prejudice and oppression in our society. A short lesson on the Harlem Renaissance introduces learners to the most prominent...
Curated OER
The Diary of Anne Frank
Sixth graders explore journal writing. In this writing lesson, 6th graders use the published diaries of Anne Frank and discuss the entries in her journal. Students write in their own journal for a week and create a one page summary on...