In addition to thoroughly exploring the purposes and functions of an analytical essay, this resource provides students with step-by-step instructions for reading and analyzing poetry, prose-fiction, and fiction. The site also offers...

This lesson is an introduction to an "Outside Reading Made Fun" unit in which students select a book to read for pleasure, write journal questions, write an analytical essay, create a book project, and participate in a book discussion.

Part of a larger site on "The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing," this section on the simple sentence focuses on the subject and the predicate. Definitions and examples are provided along with a section on...

Part of a larger site on "The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing," this section on the predicate modifier contains numerous examples of the modifier along with punctuation tips.

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson's activities, you will determine the purpose of description, narration, and exposition essays, analyze their literary devices, and examine text features. You...

This strategy guide focuses on planning and implementing close reading of complex text in the primary grades which fosters progressively deeper thinking as students become more responsible for their own learning. It offers a step-by-step...

The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens & Susan Crummel is a story about a prairie dog community where discord sets in. The lessons in this teacher guide help students analyze the issues critically and then write a sequel to the...

Each One Special by Frieda Wishinsky and Werner Zimmermann is a story about fairness. The lessons in this teacher guide are for Grades 1-3 and lead students through critical thinking exercises about the story where they learn to evaluate...

There are a number of current informal reading inventories - each has its strengths, limitations, and unique characteristics, which should be considered in order to best fit a teacher's needs.

A research based workshop by Judith Langer on bringing the joy of reading literature to your class. An excellent professional development resource, with eight videos on demand. Topics include Responding as Readers, Objectifying the Text,...

Through the use of reading crime fiction, this lesson plan helps to refine critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies which are important for the development of 21st century skills.

Excellent classroom activities for building students' character. Activity allows students to build their critical thinking skills, as well as math concepts and the relationships between reading, writing, and thinking.

Excellent classroom activities for building students' character. Activity allows students to build their critical thinking skills, as well as math concepts and the relationships between reading, writing, and thinking.

Lesson which requires learners to listen to The Tell-Tale Heart read aloud, answer prediction questions during the reading, and write written responses after. Excellent for beginning a mystery unit.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about two friends who worked together to cool off on a hot summer day. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about solving problems. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson plan allows students study two 17th-century maps of Virginia and think...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students solve a problem surrounding a historical question by reading primary source documents. This historical inquiry lesson allows students to critically evaluate their classroom textbook's account...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Young scholars read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry activity allows students to examine how advocates and critics of American...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Are all historical sources equally trustworthy? How might the reliability of a historical document be affected by the circumstances under which it was created? In this activity, students sharpen their...

This introduction to reading and analyzing text features a list of learning objectives for analyzing prose and poetry, and an understanding of critical approaches to literary interpretation.

Literature takes on a life of its own as students take a hands-on approach to exploring A Raisin in the Sun for cultural and historical context.

This activity allows students to consider how different critical approaches can influence a reading of the play. Students will work in groups to explore different attitudes to Othello by looking at a range of texts from the past,...

In this lesson, you will make inferences and draw conclusions about similar themes across various genres by finding supporting evidence within each of the texts. This task will require you to use your analytical reading skills, and it...