Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Students use Maya Angelou's novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings to identify themes about adversity in the text. For this adversity, students read chapter 36 of the novel and discuss the examples of adversity in the book. Students...
Curated OER
Characters' Coming of Age
Students develop older versions of child or adolescent characters from favorite works of literature, adapting them for teenage or adult sequels. They each outline a sequel and write its first chapter.
Orange County Department of Education
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Fifth graders read Dear Mr. Henshaw and identify the character trait of self-respect as exhibited by Leigh throughout the story. They evaluate the author's use of letters to tell the story and discuss how the story would be different if...
Curated OER
Zero The Hero, Trout The Lout
Students use a graphic organizer create a character sketch of Trout Walker from the novel Holes. Using the provided worksheet, students fill in the important character traits of Trout. Worksheet and answer key are provided with the lesson.
Curated OER
Because of Winn-Dixie
Students make connections with the book Because of Winn-Dixie through writing. In this writing instructional activity, students pretend to be the main character and write a letter to her mother, using very descriptive language. ...
Curated OER
Kid Lit Crit
Students explore different types of student literature; they then write their own fiction pieces, in either fantasy/adventure or memoir/realism style.
Curated OER
Use Your Imagination: Reading to Learn
Young scholars examine the process of visualization as a means of comprehending what happens in a story. They read a chapter in a novel, visualize what happened in their mind and then draw a picture of what they visualized. They write...
Curated OER
Judaism
Students brainstorm what they know about Judaism, participate in question and answer session about Judaism and its relation to World War II with guest speaker of Jewish faith, and write journal responses about their feelings on...
Curated OER
Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury: Benjy's Sense of Time and Narrative Voice
Learners analyze narrative voice in William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. In this novel analysis lesson, students analyze Faulkner's writing style and the narrative voice of Benjy. Learners create a reading journal for the lesson...
Curated OER
Free Reading Project
Students participate in a free reading project to improve their reading skills. In this reading project lesson, students spend 30 minutes reading each day and complete journal entries for the lesson. Students complete a short in-class...
Curated OER
Asian-American History
Learners access web based resources in order to study the history of Asian-Americans as they immigrated and assimilated into live in America using grade level appropriate resources. Also, they examine journals, artifacts, and complete...
Curated OER
A Long Time Ago in the Future
Students read and discuss Canadian young adult literature. They compare/contrast the elements of citizenship, characterization, and themes, write journal responses, and identify the elements that define Canadians.
Curated OER
"The Five Orange Pips" Lesson
Seventh graders read sections of a Sherlock Holmes novel. They identify references to hate groups that are the criminals in the story. They discuss the symbols found in the story.
Curated OER
Philanthropy, Literature and You
Students identify philanthropic acts in the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird". They create a box of items that were found in the tree from the novel as well. They write journal reflections based on philanthropic acts they have done in their...
Curated OER
Part One of Unit on Bless Me, Ultima
Tenth graders read and analyze the first two chapters of the novel, 'Bless Me, Ultima.' They respond to a partners journal entry, discuss the two major landscapes in the novel, and create a drawing/interpretation of what these landscapes...
Curated OER
Morning Girl
Fifth graders read the novel "Morning Girl" by Michael Dorris. Using the text, they compare and contrast the two cultures, Arawak and Taino in the novel and research the landing of Columbus in San Salvador. They create a family tree...
Curated OER
Erie Canal: Journey Back in Time
Fourth graders read the novel, The Eric Canal, identifying the characters and setting. They respond to daily reading by writing in journals and complete a short answer test upon completion of the novel.
Curated OER
Introduction to The Stone Cutter
Students write journals in response to the beginning of The Stone Cutter. In this The Stone Cutter lesson, students discuss the opening of the book and the main character. Students look for connections with architecture in the first...
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Anthony Burns
Students investigate the reading of the novel about Anthony Burns. They create a KWL chart to gather and organize information. The information that is provided is used to create a presentation. Students also use journals to keep track of...
Curated OER
Finding My Hat
Sixth graders explore the Korean culture through the book, Finding My Hat. They read and discuss the book in literature circles and write in response journals after each chapter. Comparing the main character to themselves, they note the...
Curated OER
Grab Hands and Run: Understanding Human Rights
Sixth graders read the novel Grab Hands and Run by Frances Temple. They explore the effects of war on human rights. Students explore the idea that human rights are protected by the United Nations. They identify the human rights that were...
Curated OER
Haunting of Third Grade
Third graders discuss the meaning of the word "haunted." They watch as the teacher demonstrates using a sticky note to mark words that they find interesting in their reading. Students read chorally, then break into groups for a...
Novelinks
The Little Prince: Picture Book Strategy
Picture books aren't just for children; they carry strong, valuable messages for adult as well. Explore the audience for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince with a instructional activity that compares picture books to literature...
Curated OER
GET UP, STAND UP: Fighting for Rights Around the World
Learners explore basic human rights as they explore music by black artists. In this human rights lesson, students examine music as a cultural reflection of the justice issues. Learners analyze Jamaican roots reggae of the 70s, American...