Curated OER
Mark Twain and the American West
Students analyze Mark Twain's "Western" voice. In this literature instructional activity, students read Roughing It by Twain and watch "The West." Students examine Twain's history and compare it to the history of America's developing...
Curated OER
Powerful Memories, Powerful Words
Students identify and describe the influence slavery had on Mark Twains writing, and then determine the status of race relations and ethnic differences in contemporary life.
National First Ladies' Library
Mark Twain's America
Learners read Huckleberry Finn, analyze text for historical contexts, and write book report emphasizing historical elements, type report comparing and contrasting events in book to events of today, create Powerpoint presentation...
Curated OER
Floating Along – Identifying Slang
Students examine the use of slang in the works of Mark Twain. In this literature lesson, students read selections from Roughing It, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Life on the Mississippi. Students paraphrase the slang found in the...
Curated OER
Why Do We Need Authority?
Students examine the problems created by a lack of effective authority described in Mark Twain's Roughing It. They explain how we use authority to protect our rights, to provide order and security, and to manage conflict.
Curated OER
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
In this biography worksheet, students read a factual biography of Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain. The students then answer 14 questions. Note: there is a grammar/spelling error in the title on this page.
Novelinks
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Writing Strategy
How do your pupils believe others see them? Invite them to write narratives to explore the image they present to the word. The narratives, inspired by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, are to be set at each pupil's hypothetical funeral.
Curated OER
Lake Tahoe Then and Now
Students investigate the differences in Lake Tahoe from the past to the present. In this geography instructional activity, students read the book Washoe Seasons of Life and identify the descriptions of the land and lake. Students create...
Curated OER
Why Do We Need Authority?
High schoolers examine a situation in which there is no effective authority and identify problems which the lack of authority creates. They explain how authority can be used to deal with these problems.
PBS
Pbs Ken Burns: American Lives: Mark Twain
In his time, Mark Twain was considered the funniest man on earth. Yet he was also an unflinching critic of human nature, using his humor to attack hypocrisy, greed and racism. In this series, Ken Burns has created an illuminating...
Indiana University
Wright American Fiction Collection: Mark Twain
The full texts to Twain's lesser-known works can be accessed from this site such as "Celebrated Jumping Frog" and "The Innocents Abroad." Read facsimiles of the original books or plain text versions.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Excerpts From Roughing It
A learning module that begins with Mark Twain's literary text "Excerpts from Roughing It" accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Excerpt From "Roughing It": Lost in the Snow
A learning module that begins with "Excerpt from "Roughing It": Lost in the Snow" by Mark Twain, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Mark Twain in His Times: Roughing It
A complete look at Mark Twain's second major work, "Roughing It." You'll find the text, illustrations, contemporary reviews, publicity, and Mark Twain's schedule on his lecture circuit.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Roughing It by Mark Twain
"Roughing It" by Mark Twain follows his travels through the wild west during the years 1861-1867. Read the full text on this site.