Curated OER
Flowers for Algernon: RAFT
Should Charlie undergo an operation to increase his intelligence? A mini-lesson for a unit on Daniel Keyes novel Flowers for Algernon uses a RAFT activity, which prompts students to write a letter to Charlie's doctors explaining why they...
Curated OER
Number the Stars, Lesson 10
Young scholars analyze the literary element mood in Chapter 10 of the novel Number the Stars. They explain why the literary element mood is a feeling that a story creates in readers. Students share their thoughts on the topic of mood and...
Curated OER
Romeo and Juliet Project: A Perfect Album Side
In this Romeo and Juliet worksheet, students combine music, lyrics, and drama to analyze Romeo and Juliet. Students select music to fit the theme, mood, and feeling of each act and research the lyrics. Students compose an essay about why...
Curated OER
Giving Beyond Measure-The Diary of Anne Frank
Students read and analyze the play "The Diary of Anne Frank" based on the book of the same name. They identify philanthropic concepts and values in the play and discuss the ways in which specific characters actions affect the events....
Curated OER
English PowerPoint: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Students read, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston. They explore the use of symbolism that depicts the main character's quest for self knowledge and identity. After identifying the significance of clothing in relation...
Curated OER
The Chosen: Writing Strategy
Pondering Rembrandt’s portraits provide readers of The Chosen an opportunity to “listen to [the] silence and learn from it,” as they consider Reb Saunders from a different perspective. After examining several paintings, viewers write...
Curated OER
Unsent Letter: Canyons
As your class reads Gary Paulsen's Canyons, challenge them to assume the perspective of a character to write a letter. The plan suggests learners pair off, one person assuming the voice of Coyote Runs, and the other assuming the voice of...
Curated OER
Biopoem: Bud, Not Buddy
Young poets focus on one character from a story they are reading, collect details, and use a biopoem template to analyze this character. The activity can be used with any text.
Curated OER
Touching Spirit Bear: Chapter 3
In this Touching Spirit Bear comprehension check worksheet, pupils respond to 16 short answer questions covering chapter 3 of Touching Spirit Bear in order to help them better understand the chapter and the novel.
Curated OER
The First Part Last: Part 3
In this The First Part Last comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions pertaining to part 3 of the Angela Johnson novel to better understand the novel and the author's craft.
Curated OER
Touching Spirit Bear: Chapters 22 & 23
In this Touching Spirit Bear comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 12 short answer questions covering chapters 23 and 24 of Touching Spirit Bear in order to help them better understand the chapters and the novel.
Curated OER
The First Part Last: Part 4
In this The First Part Last comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 34 short answer questions pertaining to part 4 of the Angela Johnson novel to better understand the novel and the author's craft.
Novelinks
The Little Prince: Biopoem Strategy
Learn about character traits with a biopoem activity. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, the activity prompts learners to fill in the blanks of a poem form to describe themselves.
Novelinks
The House on Mango Street: Biopoem
Young poets demonstrate their understanding of a character from Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street by crafting a biopoem that captures the essence of this person.
Novelinks
Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Anticipation Guide
As an introduction to the major themes of Robert Cormier's Tunes for Bears to Dance to, class members complete an anticipation guide and share their responses in groups.
Curated OER
Catherine, Called Birdy: September, October, and November
Young scholars create questions pertaining to Catherine, Called Birdy. In this Catherine, Called Birdy lesson, students predict the type of book from the cover and discuss the style. Young scholars relate their questions about God to...
Curated OER
Catherine, Called Birdy: February and March
Young scholars discuss characterization and relate to the main character in Catherine, Called Birdy. In this Catherine, Called Birdy lesson, students discuss passages that are comedic and sad and the effect they have on their...
Curated OER
Let the Leader Beware
Students consider the tone of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. In this drama lesson plan, students read the first two acts of the play and discuss tone of the acts. Students also respond to questions about the characters and their motives.
Syracuse City School District
Reading Comprehension Unit Plan
A unit plan uses short texts to teach literary elements such as theme and characterization. Included are passages by authors such as Walter Dean Myers and Sandra Cisneros. Activities include quick writes, filling in graphic organizers,...
Curated OER
"The Story of an Hour" Lesson 2: Teacher's Guide and Notes
After reading background information about Kate Chopin, pupils complete their shared reading of her short story, "The Story of an Hour." Participants then consider the irony of the ending.
Curated OER
Themes in Literature - Langston Hughes "Thank You Ma'm"
Eighth graders study Langston Hughes, "Thank You Ma'am" to discover the elements of plot, character motives and reactions. They express the effects of trust and kindness by writing a reflective personal narrative. They illustrate the...
Curated OER
Developing Skills for the KS2 English SAT: Literature
Learners consider the literary techniques of characterization and dialogue. In this story making and comprehension lesson, students examine characterization, dialogue, and comprehension.
Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Learners identify the use of characterization in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this characterization lesson, students define characterization and write descriptive paragraphs about Maya Angelou's grandmother....
Curated OER
Lord of the Flies: Chapter 10 Reading and Study Guide
In this comprehension check worksheet, students define 5 vocabulary words, define 5 literary terms, and respond to 11 short answer questions pertaining to chapter 10 of The Lord of the Flies in order to help them better understand the...