Tenth graders read and study, in-depth, a specific classical tragedy, in this case, Oedipus. They explore strategies from making meaning out of or interpreting texts, as well as strategies for determining how authors create meaning in...

Fourth graders read and analyze the novel, Robin Hood. They create a vocabulary word map, complete a Venn diagram comparing Robin Hood and Little John, act out a chapter, create a wedding announcement, and write a new epitaph for Robin...

In this unit, students examine the many different themes in Anne Frank's diary. They connect the themes to their own life and keep a journal to explore the triumphs and challenges in their own life.

Students explore the relationship between an author's life and their work. Students research the historical and personal events surrounding a Nobel Prize winning author and how they are reflected in the author's writing. They create a...

Young scholars discover how to spell, define, and employ in speaking and writing 20 vocabulary words which are likely to show up on the SAT test. Included are links to online printable puzzles and online flashcards.

Students read a work of fiction and investigate literary values and structure of the work. They demonstrate understanding of the family values, cultural and historical context of the novel;

Students compare views of marriage in Macbeth and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  In this comparative literature  lesson, students discuss and debate the marriages of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's...

In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie. Students may check some of their answers online.

Young scholars examine a variety of songs, poems, and books exploring and analyzing the theme of self reliance and being true to one's self. They write a poem, essay, or letter that captures their true spirit and individuality and then...

Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...

Third graders listen to literature about the North Pole, bakeries, Mrs. Santa Claus, ginger bread and follow directions to assemble a gingerbread house out of icing, graham crackers and candy. They write directions for making a...

High schoolers recognize how chromatic scales create tension and pentatonic scales create relaxation as compositional techniques used to create tonality. Also, students aurally recognize the use of mixed or alternating meter as a means...

Students examine the different ways in which children hid trying to escape the concentration camps. Using journal entries, they put themselves into the role of the children and imagine their feelings during the Holocaust. They discuss...

Learners discuss and define folklore, locate town of Sleepy Hollow, NY, on map, calculate distance from Sleepy Hollow to their school, if applicable, review vocabulary list from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, read story aloud, and write...

Second graders investigate self- and teacher-selected literature (e.g., picture books, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, poems, legends) from a variety of cultures. They re-enact and retell stories, songs, poems, plays, and other literary...

Young scholars view (or read) The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty. They discuss other literary pieces that include the misleading first person narrator. They role play fictional characters from literature and present a short anecdote in a...

Students explore the issue of Japanese-American internment. In this World War II instructional activity, students analyze historical biases regarding Japanese-American internment as they analyze literature, research print and Internet...

Students examine Native American dolls. They discover the connections between the dolls and the Native American culture and customs. They also use maps to locate the position of different tribes.

Students present a play based on The Lorax.For this environmental issues lesson, students read and discuss literature and complete activities pertaining to environmental stewardship.

High schoolers write an essay and create illustrations of Jewish culture. In this literature-response lesson plan, students read various Jewish folktales. As they read, high schoolers study the geographical, cultural, and historical...

Students compare and contrast story elements in two versions of Cinderella.  In this literature elements lesson, students are read two different versions of Cinderella, they identify the characters, plot, and setting, then they...

Fourth graders read a nonfiction story that is presented to them with graphic features, and presented to them with only the text.  In this text features instructional activity, 4th graders decide what the benefits of text organizers...

Students write letters to penpals. In this geography/literacy lesson, students become penpals with a classroom in England to learn about customs and society across the ocean. Flat Stanley by Will Holton is read aloud, and students...

First graders complete activities with the story The Ogre Bully. In this literature lesson, 1st graders discuss opposite words and then read the story. They answer questions for comprehension and complete phonics activities and...