Curated OER
Cracking Cassius
Students examine the argument between Cassius and Brutus to define the importance of friendship and study a Shakespearean play. In this Julius Caesar analysis lesson, students list qualities of a best friend and read scenes from the...
Curated OER
Dr. Seuss and Read Across America
What important facts about Dr. Seuss influenced the Read Across America movement...? This is the driving question of a research project that requires scholars to find information about Dr. Seuss' life and work. Class...
Common Sense Media
The Masque of the Red Death
Poe goes high tech with a lesson that asks high schoolers to use the internet and various apps as they read and analyze "The Masque of the Red Death." In addition to responding to comprehension questions in Quizlet, they use Minecraft to...
EngageNY
Paragraph Writing: The Role of Religion in Colonial America
Informative writing is emphasized in the standards. Help your learners reach that goal with the plan for paragraph writing outlined here. After reviewing the work from the day before and adding to their vocabulary notebooks, class...
EngageNY
Close Reading of Bullfrog at Magnolia Circle: Predators and Prey
Reading is fantastic, especially when it's reading about bullfrogs. Kids get cozy with predator/prey relationships as they hone their information-reading skills. They start out as they read a portion of the text aloud, then they...
Curated OER
Lesson: Double Album: The Collection and the Archive
An open discussion starts this lesson off. The class takes a critical look at five works of art that demonstrate the impact and purpose of identity through collections or archives. They then write a list or draw 10-15 items found in...
EngageNY
Building Background Knowledge: Introducing Pygmalion
Learners take a gallery walk around the room to view images and text of Victorian England culture and then complete a Predictions Walk note-catcher as they circulate and take turns reading quotation strips from Pygmalion. Class...
Curated OER
Checking Sources For Accuracy
Middle schoolers will paraphrase a resource without plagiarizing. Then rewrite after reading text. They then evaluate the site or reference they are using for accuracy. In the end, they complete a note-taking organizer.
Curated OER
"I Never Knew That!"
Incorporating To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, narrative writing, and friendly letters, this lesson is ideal for any number of units in your classroom. First, read chapter 10 of the novel, noting Scout and Jem's reactions to their...
Curated OER
The Noughties
Take a look back at a decade your class will actually remember: the noughties. Guide discussion about events your class recalls from those years, and then have them analyze an article (included). Although not specified, learners...
EngageNY
Selecting Evidence: “The Hero’s Journey” and The Lightning Thief (Chapter 6)
Take a closer look. Scholars learn how to read closely using chapter six in The Lightning Thief. While reading, they write the gist of paragraphs on sticky notes and stick them in the book. They then answer text-dependent questions over...
EngageNY
What Makes a Myth a Myth? Comparing “Cronus” and “Shrouded in Myth”
Scholars complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Cronus and Shrouded in Myth. Learners work in their triads to write similarities and differences on sticky notes. They then take a look at the text The Key Elements of...
EngageNY
Close Read, Part 1: “Taggot, the Blacksmith’s Daughter”
There would be no luck if it were not for bad luck. Scholars take a close look at the theme of adversity through multiple reads of Taggot, the Blacksmith’s Daughter. They place sticky notes on important details of the story and complete...
Curated OER
A Vocabulary Word a Day
Learners research one assigned vocabulary word and prepare a short teaching activity and memory aid to present with the word to the class. They take notes on all the new vocabulary words presented to them by other classmates then they...
Curated OER
The Odyssey Lesson 1
Students explore Greek mythology. For this ancient culture and introduction to The Odyssey literacy lesson, students complete a worksheet accessing their prior knowledge about Greek mythology. Students listen to a passage about the...
Curated OER
Listening To A Guest Speaker
Students participate in a lesson of listening to a guest speaker. They pay attention to the information and are active in taking notes, generating follow up questions, and summarizing the presentation. Students practice clear speaking...
Curated OER
Putting it all Together
Young scholars take notes and summarize information. In this communication lesson, students summarize information by taking notes using the various methods that their instructor presents to them. Young scholars then write summaries of...
Curated OER
Dogfighting Lesson Two - Bite Prevention and Community
Students discover how to prevent dog bites by completing worksheets and watching a video. In this animal safety lesson, students view a video called Dogs, Cats and Big Kids, taking notes throughout. Students take a quiz...
Curated OER
Hands-On Investigation!
Students read, analyze, and solve a mystery using problem-solving skills. They explore the History Detective website, discuss the difference between clues and red herrings, complete a dot-to-dot sheet, take notes in a detective...
Curated OER
Night Lesson Plan: Stereotypes and Scapegoats
Students read the novel Night by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and complete related activities. In this novel analysis lesson, students prompt write and discuss the answers. Students take notes on stereotypes and scapegoats and...
Curated OER
Introducing the Narrative Account Web Page
Students complete a narrative writing assignment by critiquing a sample webpage. In this narrative writing instructional activity, students view the sample webpage and take notes. Students create a similar webpage that contains a...
Curated OER
Catherine, Called Birdy: June and July
Learners illustrate types of conflicts in Catherine, Called Birdy. In this Catherine, Called Birdy instructional activity, students take notes on four types of character conflict. Learners work in teams to...
Curated OER
Oral Stories
Legends are stories that have been retold as they have been passed down through the generations. Learners orally retell The Legend of the Bluebonnet in their own unique way after discussing the importance of oral traditions and...
Curated OER
Eliminate Fragments and Run-ons
Fix fragments and run-ons. Kids practice editing a piece of their own writing, read, and take notes of common examples. They practice connecting independent clauses and then use the information to edit previously written pieces. Note:...