What's the difference between being a phony and being a conformist? At what point does conforming to alleviate loneliness lead to insincerity? These are the questions at the heart of this unit plan that uses The Catcher in the Rye...

James Jamerson. You probably heard him but may not have heard of him. But fans of Motown Records will certainly recognize his contributions to the sound that desegregated popular music during the 1960s. Challenge young history...

Students discuss the composer Aaron Copland and the lyricist Ira Gershwin and their significance in/contributions to American music of their time while singing the song "Younger Generation" in the choir setting. Emphasis is placed on...

A poet's word choice can be the difference between a poem that is merely sad, and a poem full of heartbreaking regret. Middle schoolers discern the tone in four different poems, noting the relevant textual evidence that supports...

Sentence completion practice not only improves vocabulary, but critical thinking skills as well. Class members will benefit from exercises and the extended explanations that the answer key provides. Great SAT practice or class discussion...

Students read the book Dawdle Duckling and complete different activities about the book. Students research the wetlands, research ducks, complete an oil and water experiment, map a cove, and more.

Students explore how to follow a simple recipe and explain directions to another person.

At this site from University of Virginia you can read about the formation of the "Beat Generation" as well the most influential written works of this period. This website provides brief write-ups on the poems and books of Beat authors,...

Paper detailing the emergence of the Beat Generation and the Bohemian Dialectic.

Contains a brief explanation of the Beat poetry movement. Also includes a short excerpt from Allen Ginsberg's "Howl."

The PBS show 'The Source' looks at the lives and works of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs, three writers largely credited with leading the way in developing new forms of writing during the rise of the 'Beat'...

Read a short biography on Snyder written by Ann Charters from "The Portable Beat Reader."

A biography of Allen Ginsberg, a leading poet and driving force of the Beat generation.