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Cloudy Days Are for Reading and Writing
Young scholars consider a variety of well-known proverbs that refer to the weather. They research the scientific validity of these proverbs, conduct interviews about public perception of the proverbs and summarize their findings in writing.
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Revising Character Descriptions
Students effectively revise character descriptions. In this revising character descriptions lesson, students work with a partner to give and receive constructive criticism to improve their character descriptions.
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Music and Lyrics
Eighth graders analyze lyrics from songs from a variety of genres. In this musical analysis lesson, 8th graders write an essay about their life plans in which they discuss the lyrics of U2's song, "One." They tell how the writings of Dr....
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Greetings from Maya Angelou
Young scholars investigate the life and works of Maya Angelou. They complete a Webquest, read poems, listen to a reading by Maya Angelou, answer discussion questions, and write a poem, short story, or essay based on a newspaper article.
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Streamlines and Breadlines
Students explore the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students research selected websites and analyze primary sources to conduct inquiries regarding the depression, northern migration, and urbanization. Students...
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From Whose Perspective?
Students critically analyze news coverage of Palestinian-Israeli violence by comparing information from a variety of news sources. They compose expository essays reflecting on how to obtain accurate, unbiased, and credible information.
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Novel Analysis
High schoolers read the novel, Lord of the Flies, then write an essay analyzing the novel. They analyze, in small groups, characters, plot, setting, style, symbolism, theme, critical responses, and historical influences
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"Et tu, Brute?" - The Characters, Conflict and Historical context of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Students analyze the Shakespearian play, "Julius Caesar" in this seven lesson unit. Through readings, hands-on projects, and the study of plot development, comparisons are made to the movie and the historical records available.
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Al Qaeda & the Taliban: What threat to the U.S.?
Students examine the War on Terror. In this national security lesson, students read articles about the War on Terror and President Obama's foreign policy. Students respond to discussion questions and debate the presence of U.S. troops...
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10 Things I Hate about Shakespeare
Students look at the works of Shakespeare to describe and explain relationships among some of the different texts. The writing of the learners has the intent of increasing comprehension, interpretation, and critical analysis skills.
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Unforgettable Personalities
Students read an essay titled, "Unforgettable Personalities" to study the influence of character's traits on the resolution of conflict in a narrative. They discuss and complete a worksheet that compares their own personality traits to...
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Parliamentary Newsroom : Developing Media Literacy
High schoolers explain and examine the selection, development, sources, transmission and impact of news on the public. They write a brief essay on the topic: "The Public Must Be Critical In Their Assessment of the News Before Drawing...
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The Songcatcher
Young scholars read Sharyn McCrumb's and Maggie Greenwald's versions of "Songcatcher" and use them as a springboard to explore the heritage and traditions of Appalachian folk music. They review Internet sources, conduct research and...
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What's in a Picture Book?
Students analyze Appalachian folktale picture books. They read and analyze various Appalachian picture books, answer discussion questions, and in small groups complete a handout, and write an essay analyzing the text and illustrations of...
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Crane, London, and Literary Naturalism
Students identify the key characteristics that comprise American literary naturalism in Jack London's "To Build a Fire" and Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat." In this naturalism analysis activity, students identify characteristics of the...
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Whatever Happened to Virginia Dare?
Learners determine what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke. In this colonial America lesson plan, students complete a classroom activity about Virginia Dare and write essays that address the legends of the lost colony.
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Emily Dickinson
In this online interactive literature quiz instructional activity, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about the life and accomplishments of Emily Dickinson.
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The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber.
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Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night Questions
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night."
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Ancient Civilizations
Students examine the institutions and values of various ancient civilizations. They define civilization, read and discuss text, write journal entries, list the characteristics of a powerful society, and write a description of an event.
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Dogsong
Students read the Gary Paulsen novel, Dog song, about wilderness survival, and research information about the Iditarod dogsled race. Students follow the sled race online each day and complete an Alaska scavenger hunt.
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Timeline - United States and Germany, Before, During, and After World War II
Students read novel Rosa's Miracle Mouse, research assigned years in small groups, and create timelines and Powerpoint presentations detailing interaction between Germany and the United States before, during, and after World War II.
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Writing to Learn History: Annotations and Mini-Writes
Students use their critical thinking skills to write about historical events. For this historical perspectives lesson, students read documents about historical events and make annotations and marginal notes. Students then respond to...
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Assessing Health Habits
Seventh graders discuss what are the characteristics of a personal with good health. They read an article about influences on health and discuss and perform a self assessment to gauge their personal health. They then go to the gym and...