Full truth, or an exaggeration? How can you tell when a storyteller is exaggerating a story? Readers analyze a story told by Hortensia, and identify the exaggerative language she uses. Then, learners write their own narrative story using...

Students analyze Thoreau's writing style. In this writing style lesson, students describe Thoreau's literary style and use the devices he employs in a response to one of his essays.

Young scholars write, edit and produce resum??s and cover letters in final form.

Third graders listen as the teacher exaggerates a way of inappropriately handling losing their job. They review life-changing events and what is in a person's control and what is not. They then are given a life-changing situation slip...

Students explore the elements of American folktales. They discuss how they are passed on from generation to generation, how they use exaggeration, and how they convey a message or make a point. Students identify common elements of tall...

Students explore the strategies and bias that are sometimes used in advertising with a particular focus on automobile advertising. Working in groups, they read several car ads and discuss the bias, opinion and stereotyping in the ads as...

Ninth graders listen to a variety of tall tales and compose their own tall tale. In this tall tale lesson, 9th graders complete  KWL chart about tall tales. Students discuss the elements of tall tales and then read example tales....

In need of a really good instructional activity that incorporates literature, art, and cultural themes? After hearing a traditional Chinese folktale and discussing cultural themes and symbolism, learners create original illustrations for...

There's nothing like the Wild Wild West! Scholars investigate the American Frontier through the eyes of Kit Carson. To complete the first installment of a three-part series, they use presentations, a short video, and primary and...

Learners read and analyze two primary source documents written by Christopher Columbus.

Fifth graders discuss hyperbole. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders understand that hyperbole enables writers to make a point by describing something in an overly dramatic way. Students create a list of objects that can be used to...

Students examine Thomas Nast's illustration, "Black and White," looking for examples of racism. Contemporary stereotypes utilized to demonstrate the attitudes of people in the North and South in the 1800's are explored.