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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying the Theme in a Story

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize Theme through the use of simple, short stories. Using Pro Quest, students begin by researching the literary element, theme, and how it can be identified. They then identify the themes in Aesop's Fables and other short...
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Printables
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Scholastic

Folk and Fairy Tale Readers: The Princess and the Pea

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd Standards
Enrich a primary grade unit on fairy tales with this printable version of the classic story "The Princess and the Pea." With a simple story structure and a blend of short and long sentences, this is a great resource for developing the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Short Vowels With Clifford

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Phonetic masters identify and recognize short vowel sounds by reading and listening to a story that highlights select words. They use picture clues to aid comprehension and construct a story by actively choosing and identifying...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Pre-Reading Vocabulary Activities Using "The Gift of the Magi"

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
The rich language of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" is only appreciable if you understand the words. A short lesson reviews 13 words from the story and prompts class members to apply each word and its definition to other situations.
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Worksheet
K5 Learning

Androclus and the Lion

For Students 4th Standards
Kindness is never a standalone act. Fourth graders read the classic tale of Androclus and his act of service to the lion, which is repaid to him by the lion in a Roman colosseum. After reading the passage, they answer four comprehension...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Picture's Worth 500-700 Words

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students write a narrative or short story of 500-700 words based on an assigned work of art.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Cause and Effect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers experience and study cause and effect as they assess the consequences man faces when time travel is attempted. They determine, in their imaginations, what time period they would like to visit. Each student then listens to,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Write It, Read It, Solve It

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Writers create an original mystery and have a chance to put it into movie format. The classic elements of a mystery must be present: the crime, the suspects, the motive, the solution and clues. Use iPhoto and Quicktime Movie to integrate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing in Different Viewpoints

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore different viewpoints through short stories. In this literature instructional activity, students read a classic short story.  Students then write a short story from a different point of view.
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Lesson Plan
Art Institute of Chicago

Lesson Plan: A Writer’s Odyssey

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
Looking for a fresh approach to an end-of-unit project for The Odyssey? Check out a resource that has class members write their own hero's journey short story and then craft an illustration that depicts their tale. Apollonio di...
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Activity
Orlando Shakes

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of "A Christmas Carol": Study Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What could be better than a play within a play? A study guide for "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of 'A Christmas Carol'" has theater-goers share their thoughts on the comedic...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Identifying Types of Irony Using "The Gift of the Magi"

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" is the classic example of irony in literature. Teach young writers about the ways irony can engage their readers with an activity in which they write scripts using dramatic irony, situational irony, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Original Opera

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This may be a lot to ask of a high schooler, but then again, who knows? Pupils work in groups to explore, write, and then perform an original opera. They view versions of The Magic Flute and La Traviata, then compose a plot, characters,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Seven Wonders of the World: The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the culture of classical Greece by examining The Statue of Zeus at Olympia. In this Seven Wonders of the World lesson, students will expand their understanding of Greek mythology, the Olympics and the Greek Isles....
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Writing (and Rewriting!) History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
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Lesson Plan
Indiana University

World Literature: "One Evening in the Rainy Season" Shi Zhecun

For Teachers 12th
Did you know that modern Chinese literature “grew from the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmund Freud”? Designed for a world literature class, seniors are introduced to “One Evening in the Rainy Season,” Shi Zhecun’s stream of...
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Activity
Victoria Theatre Association

The Ugly Duckling Resource Guide

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
Our differences aren't meant to divide us! Use Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale "The Ugly Duckling" to reinforce the concept that appearances don't define someone's character, and that there is always somewhere where we belong.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wright Stuff

For Teachers 6th - 12th
In this instructional activity, students design an exhibition on the history of aviation for a science museum. For homework, they write short stories envisioning the future of flight in the year 2014.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Classic Rock

For Students 9th - 10th
In this online classic rock word search, students find classic rock words like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Osbourne. There are a total of 15 words to find.
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Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Dracula: Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
“There are often dangers from snow and wolves and night.” Bram Stoker’s “Dracula’s Guest,” which may or may not have been the first chapter of the original Dracula manuscript, is the focus of a Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA). 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

B-movies and Plot: Story Elements, Writing, Media

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use old "B-Movies" as a springboard to discuss and analyze traditional plot structures. They form groups and make their own 'movie' to demonstrate their knowledge.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poe ... in the Real World?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders work in groups to choose a project/presentation from a list of approved activities to develop. They select and use appropriate software for organizing and refining their product. Groups produce a short...
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Activity
Prestwick House

Wuthering Heights

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
How many ways can you break down a classic novel? Based on the acclaimed Romantic-period novel by Emily Bronte, the Wuthering Heights activity pack includes a pre-reading exercise. Next, learners create a resume for one of the...
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Activity
Activated Story Theatre

Orpheus- A Greek Myth: Reader's Theatre Script

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
Is this any way to treat a Greek Myth? By all means, turn the tale of Orpheus into a reader's theatre exercise.