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Turning Literature into News
Students examine the newspaper. In this writing purposes lesson, students read the newspaper and discuss the purpose: to inform, entertain and persuade. Students identify facts and opinions. Students write an article and discuss acts of...
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Heart of Darkness
Students interpret the resolution of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. In this literature lesson, students discuss the ending of the novella and Conrad's intentions in ending it the way he did. Students then write alternative endings...
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Readers as Individuals
Sixth graders set and are encouraged to meet their reading goals and demonstrate knowledge of literary elements in this lesson.
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A Swiftly Tilting Planet
Students familiarize themselves with science fiction/fantasy literature. They create an awareness of the different types of literature, develop an appreciation for them and be able to tell them apart. Students realize that science...
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The Essential Brick
Learners examine their position within their school and discuss qualities they need to be productive citizens outside of school. they culminate the unit by writing an autobiography that includes the concepts of responsibility, choice,...
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Themes in Literature - Langston Hughes "Thank You Ma'm"
Eighth graders study Langston Hughes, "Thank You Ma'am" to discover the elements of plot, character motives and reactions. They express the effects of trust and kindness by writing a reflective personal narrative. They illustrate the...
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Life Cycle Literature Briefs
Literature containing life cycle information is available from many sources. Several examples of this type of literature are listed below with a synopsis and sample questions for each. These examples have been taken from a variety of...
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Sherlock Holmes Database Investigation
High schoolers conduct a character study using the literature of Sherlock Holmes. They use a database with different cases that need to be solved. Students use the computer software to work through a list of suspects and match them with...
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Literature in the Library
High schoolers get familiar with their school library. In this library orientation lesson, students explore the layout of the library and challenge high schoolers to locate literature materials in a scavenger hunt activity.
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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.
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Analyzing Elements of a Memoir
Young scholars analyze and identify elements of memoirs. In this literature lesson students explore qualities to listen for while the teacher reads a memoir; they then break into groups and analyze a memoir independently.
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Taking a Stand - 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March
Young scholars examine the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March. They view pictures reflecting their perceptions of their most important rights as citizens, write journal responses, create collages illustrating courage, and read...
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Accentuate the Positive
Students analyze the attitudes, ideas and beliefs of characteristics that
assist humans in living a positive, proactive life that values self,
family, community, nation and world. Students identify their own strengths as individual....
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Jargon
Eighth graders investigate the concept of jargon and how it is used in different contexts in relation to the study of vocabulary. They practice interpreting jargon by concentrating on the comprehension strategy of using context clues.
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Our Five Senses Affect Food Choices
Students read My Five Senses: A Lion's Tale. In this five senses lesson, students understand the relationship between their five senses and how they affect their food choices. Students write journal entries about their senses and the...
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Age Brings Wisdom -- Learning to Respect Elders
Students read a story about a young Japanese boy and his mother who decide to not banish the community's elders to the hills. They create origami helmets. They work together to make posters appreciating senior citizens.
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"Compression of Emotional Power"--Responding To Unseen Poetry
Eleventh graders identify the structure, rhythm and style of a selected poem, experience utilizing poetic devices and analyze an annotated poem. They evaluate the themes and inferred meanings to a variety of poems from their textbooks.
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Philanthropy in A Christmas Carol
Students explore philanthropy in literature. In this cross curriculum literacy and character development lesson, students read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and note charitable acts described in the story. Students relate story...
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The Lorax
Third graders identify environmental problems. In this natural resources lesson plan students participate in several activities that support critical thinking about the environment and natural resources. The students write, list, and...
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Mini-Unit: Natural Resources
Students explore how their choices affect others. In this character development and ecology lesson, students debate choice-making issues. Students listen to The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and identify choices the characters made about tree...
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How Can We Write A Story Using Dr. Seuss' Writing and Illustration Style?
Students write a story. In this writing style and illustration lesson, students review elements of Dr. Seuss' writing and illustration style and read a few more books written by him, examining the writing style. Students work in...
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Proud to Be of Service
Observe the National Day of Service and Remembrance with a service learning lesson plan. After discussing the events of September 11, 2001, learners plan and implement their own service learning project in honor of American heroes.
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Dear Diary
Work on narrative writing with this instructional activity, in which middle schoolers analyze the characters from a selected piece of literature and write narrative diary pieces as the character. They work to understand the point of view...
Student Achievement Partners
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm - "The Fisherman and his Wife"
Help young readers learn to read and interpret complex text independently. Teach young children to ask interpretive questions and use the text itself to answer them. Use art, word play and drama to provide a deeper understanding of...