National Humanities Center
Teaching The Great Gatsby: A Common Core Close Reading Seminar
The 41 slides in a professional development seminar model how to use close reading techniques to examine the many layers of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. In addition to passages from the novel, slides provide biographical...
Curated OER
I Dig Your Art, Man (or Woman)
Twelfth graders write a thesis regarding a modern artist of their choice for a 15-20 multi-media presentation. In this lesson students create a Power Point, video, or some other visual representation studying an artist or modern artistic...
Curated OER
Joaquin Torres Garcia Art
Students analyze the art of Joaquin Torres Garcia in 'Composition.' For this art analysis lesson, students read about the artist's work and the artist. Students answer discussion and follow-up questions.
Brooklyn Museum
Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties
While the lesson is lacking in procedure, it does provide a wealth of information on artist Yasuo Kuniyoshi. Information on his life, art, and inspirations can provide you with insights into creating learning activities that convey the...
K12 Reader
Galileo and His Telescope
Learn about Galileo Galilei's contribution to modern science with a reading passage that focuses on reading comprehension. After kids read several paragraphs about his life, they answer five questions about the information they have just...
Shakespeare in American Life
Patriarchy in King Lear and As I Lay Dying
King Lear, “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Colonel Walter E. Kurtz and Anse Bundren? Imagine a unit that examines the tragic hero and patriarchy in King Lear, As I Lay Dying and Apocalypse Now. To liven the brew, learners are asked to include in...
Curated OER
Storytellers Past and Present
Learners read and discuss an article about Olga Loya, a modern storyteller. They watch a videotaped performance of a story and then create a storytelling experience for a story of their choice to share with the class.
Curated OER
History of English
Did you know that in Japan you can drink "Poccari Sweat"? Ever heard of "Intervocalic fricatives become contrastive?" Sure. All this and more in a presentation that traces the history of English before England, in England including Old...
Curated OER
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: Characterization Activity
Oskar Schell's narrative about his expedition to find out more about his father serves as a model for writers who are crafting their own narratives. Class members choose two characters from the novel and collect examples of the methods...
Curated OER
Modern Love
For this modern love worksheet, students, with a partner, discuss and complete a variety of activities associated with modern love, weddings and long-lasting relationships.
Curated OER
Star Wars: Modernity and the Timelessness of Myth
Students explore myths through the study of multiple texts. Students use James Joyce's "Ulysses," the film "Star Wars," various Greek and Biblical myths to inform a guided discussion of myths and the common themes in these texts.
Curated OER
Hamlet 1.2: Hamlet's First Soilloquy
O, that these too, too obscure words would resolve themselves into modern English! High school scholars are asked to do a close reading of Hamlet’s first soliloquy (I, ii) and recast these famous lines into contemporary speech, identify...
Curated OER
Shizuko’s Daughter: Unsent Letter
Have you ever wanted to tell a character what you really thought of him or her? Use a lesson based on Kyoko Mori's Shizuko's Daughter to encourage learners to write a letter in response to a character's actions.
Orlando Shakes
Two Gentlemen of Verona
What teenager can't relate to the drama of a love triangle? Scholars put their literary skills to use in a gripping role-play drama. William Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona unfolds as the classroom becomes a stage of young actors.
Curated OER
Much Ado About Nothing
In this Shakespeare worksheet, students decipher Much Ado About Nothing. Students read excerpts from the play and answer questions about specific quotes. They also translate lines into modern language.
Curated OER
Psychedelic Checkerboard Op Art
Students analyze optical illusions from the packets, both individually and as a class. They create an original optical illusion design using pattern and repetition. They determine which color needs to be in the pattern.
Curated OER
English Language Change
In this English language instructional activity, students examine a passage written in Old English, Middle English, and Modern English to find changes in the language. Students are then given a list of words to define and examine in...
Curated OER
China's Three Gorges Dam
A very well-done resource includes an informational reading passage describing the controversy and impact of China's Three Gorges Dam. It also includes eight guided reading questions, a pros/cons arguments chart, and a creative writing...
Curated OER
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Guide your class on an adventure 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with this Hampton-Brown outline. It provides educators with a guide to increase reading comprehension, critical thinking, literary analysis, and reading strategies. This...
C.S. Lewis Foundation
Study Guide to Miracles
Teaching is challenging, so is proving through logic that miracles and divine intervention can happen in this world. It is even more arduous to teach the text of that proposition—good thing there are resources available, like this study...
Curated OER
Fairy Tales, Past and Present
Young scholars examine the different elements of a fairy tale. They discover why setting, characters, problems and solutions are important in a fairy tale. They recreate the fairy tale in modern times and create a storybook to accompany...
Curated OER
Prometheus, the Firebringer
Students explore the world of Greek mythology by studying briefly each of the Gods.
They explore the visual world of Greek mythology in ancient art and architecture and create original play-lets based on authentic myths through creative...
Curated OER
Isadore Duncan
Who is Isadore Duncan? If you're a teacher of dance, you might be interested in this informative presentation. Biographical, philosophical, and personal information on the life and contributions of this famed dancer are given in an easy...
Curated OER
Fractured Fairy Tale Worksheet
Explore fairy tales using this worksheet. Learners read parts of traditional fairy tales and then write their own versions. They complete five fairy tales in this manner. What a motivating way to cover this concept.