Lesson Plan
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Characterization of Mice and Men

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Worksheet
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All the King's Men Theme of Drugs and Alcohol

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
For 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.
Interactive
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All My Sons Theme of Guilt and Blame

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
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...
Lesson Plan
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Theme: The Search for Meaning

For Teachers 4th - 7th
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.
Lesson Plan
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Problems and Their Solutions in Stories and Everyday Life

For Teachers K - 2nd
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.
Lesson Plan
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Details, Details: How Choices Reveal Character, Setting, Tone, and Theme. (Analyzing and Interpreting, Making Inferences)

For Teachers 7th - 9th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Identifying Main Idea and Supporting Details - The Stonecutter's Wish

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Writing an Interpretive Essay to Describe a Theme - The Red Shoes

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the concept of literature themes. In this theme lesson plan, students watch a video segment of "The Red Shoes." Students discuss the author's message regarding friendship and then write a friendship essay.
Lesson Plan
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Literature: Watching Anna

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
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How Tragic!

For Teachers 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Animal Farm

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Evaluating a Book By Its Cover

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students practice using predictive strategies before reading a book. In this literacy instructional activity, students identify the theme and characters of the novel based on the cover illustrations.
Worksheet
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Fahrenheit 451 Symbol & Test Review

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Macbeth - Analyzing Characterization in Drama

For Teachers 11th - 12th
The writing activity in this instructional activity could be used to assess student understanding of previously taught concepts of how language reveals character.
Worksheet
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The Lady of Shalott: Theme of Man and the Natural World

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Students read about Alfred, Lord Tennyson's use of nature in the poem, "The Lady of Shallot." Students then respond to 4 short answer questions based on the theme of man in the natural world. Questions require students to reflect...
Worksheet
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The Lady of Shalott Theme of The Supernatural

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students read comments about the mysterious and fantastical mood of Lord Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott." Students then respond to 4 short answer questions based on the poem....
Worksheet
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"Ode to a Nightingale" Theme of Man and the Natural World

For Students 10th - 12th
In this "Ode to a Nightingale" worksheet, learners discuss Keats view of nature. Students follow the poet's progression into the world of nature and the images used to convey his feelings.
Worksheet
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The Lamb Theme of Religion

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
For this literary analysis worksheet, students consider the comments made about religion in William Blake's poem, "The Lamb." Students read an overview of the poem's symbolic content, then respond to five questions in which they reflect...
Worksheet
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Mutability Questions

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
For this poetry analysis worksheet, students read the poem "Mutability," by William Wordsworth and then respond to 6 discussion questions. The questions require students to consider the role of religion and the impact of sudden change as...
Worksheet
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My Last Duchess Theme of Language and Communication

For Students 6th
In this poetry analysis worksheet, 6th graders read a paragraph about the Duke's style of communication and lack of it in the poem, “My Last Duchess,” by Robert Browning. Student then answer 4 short answer...
Worksheet
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My Last Duchess Theme of Madness

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this poetry analysis activity, students consider the motivation for the actions of the Duke in "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning as they read a brief paragraph positing that the Duke is insane. Students then respond to 3...
Worksheet
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My Last Duchess Theme of Jealousy

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students examine commentary about the jealousy of the Duke in Browning's "My Last Duchess." Students respond to discussion questions regarding the Duke’s suspicion that his wife is unfaithful, his...
Worksheet
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My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun – Theme of Gender

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this poetry analysis activity, students read a reflection on the conflict between male and female identities in Dickinson's "My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun –." Students then respond to questions about male and female dominance...
Worksheet
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The Negro Speaks of Rivers Themes

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this poetry analysis worksheet, students respond to 5 discussion questions that require them to investigate the symbolism of rivers in the Langston Hughes poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers."