Curated OER
Latino Literature: Poetry
Under construction, this lesson focuses on Canto Familia, a collection of poetry about Gary Soto's experiences growing up in California's Imperial Valley. Representative of the experiences of many Latinos, the poems also address themes...
Curated OER
Literary Elements in Of Mice and Men
Ninth graders review an exercise, after reading most of the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. They demonstrate a range of literary elements such as conflict, symbolism, setting, and foreshadowing. Students also are able to provide...
Curated OER
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Theme of Visions of America
In this reading comprehension worksheet, high schoolers respond to 4 short answer questions about themes from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Curated OER
Colors and The Great Gatsby: Fun Trivia Quiz
What is the symbolic importance of certain colors? This online, interactive quiz on The Great Gatsby asks questions related to colors and their symbolism; however, it requires little analysis. For the most part, test-takers match colors...
Curated OER
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Symbols Quiz
In this online interactive reading comprehension instructional activity, students respond to 5 short answer questions about symbols from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Students may check their answers in this timed...
Curated OER
You're a Grand Ol' Flag
Students explore American flag and its symbols, and create an original flag that represents what they see in their own lives.
Curated OER
Symbolic Poem
High schoolers read and analyze several highly symbolic poems. They create their own symbolic poem, read it to the class, and discuss whether they can guess any hidden meanings.
New Class Museum
Lesson: Emory Douglas: Decoding Images and Vocabulary Activity
To better understand the work of Black Panther logo artist Emory Douglas, learners define literary devices. They define a series of words such as metaphor, simile, and assonance, then place an example of that device found in Emory...
Curated OER
Looking Back - An Art/English/History Interdisciplinary Unit
High schoolers research historical events of the past century to recognize that society impacts the themes within art and literature. They then interview an individual to develop a biographical narrative, a collage and finally an oral...
Curated OER
"Zebra" by Chaim Potok
Combine art and literature to teach greater themes and symbolic meaning. Using the plan outlined in this resource, expose your class to the story "Zebra" by Chaim Potok, conduct discussions about social issues and nicknames, and ask...
Curated OER
Chinese Folktales: An Illustrating Activity
In need of a really good lesson that incorporates literature, art, and cultural themes? After hearing a traditional Chinese folktale and discussing cultural themes and symbolism, learners create original illustrations for the story. This...
Prestwick House
The Book Thief
Review main characters, story events, and important quotes from Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief. A crossword puzzle with 29 clues gives high schoolers the opportunity to check their understanding and revist Zusak's haunting work.
Curated OER
The Outsiders
Are you working on an Outsiders unit? Use this list of activities to deepen your middle schoolers' understanding of the novel. After reading S.E. Hinton's novel, young readers work on three required activities, including participating in...
Mr. T Davis
Major Works Data Sheet
Ease the anxiety of preparing for the AP English exams with a four-page packet test-takers can use to record key information about major works they have read. In addition to biographical information about the author, historical...
Louisiana Department of Education
The Metamorphosis
How can something be true even if it didn't happen? Invite your classes to investigate the truths found in the world of magical realism as they analyze short stories, poems, informational texts, video, and art from this genre.
Curated OER
Bring Your Character in a Bag - Animal Farm (Middle, Literature)
Ninth graders interpret a chosen character from the novel Animal Farm and represent that character in original symbolic form and present orally to the class.
Curated OER
Literature: Frederick
First graders read Frederick and illustrate a scene from the story. They connect their own backgrounds and experiences with scenes in the story. They identify the setting and conflict of the story.
Curated OER
Ten Sly Piranhas: A Counting Story in Reverse
Students solve related addition and subtraction problems. In this addition and subtraction lesson, students use the book Ten Sly Piranhas by William Wise as the source of word problems for students to solve.
Curated OER
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The students investigate the role of symbols in literature by participating in prereading and postreading activities for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Teacher questions are included.
Curated OER
The Hobbit
Students list W.H Auden's six characteristics of a quest story. They say what is meant by a "metaphorical quest." Pupils discuss some differences between symbolism and allegory. Students indicate how Bilbo Baggins's adventures changed...
Curated OER
Symbols of Freedom
Students display knowledge of historical facts regarding the American Flag as they use creative writing skills.
Curated OER
What Kind of Ladybug Are You?
As a class, read different sentences prepared by the teacher, identifying the punctuation that is needed for the appropriate expression. In small groups, have each child assume the role of one or more character in The Grouchy Ladybug by...
Deer Valley Unified School District
Close Reading: Analyzing Mood and Tone
The AP Literature and Composition exam is all about close reading. Test takers are presented with a passage and asked to analyze how an author uses literary devices to create a desired effect. Prepare your students for the exam with a...
Illustrative Mathematics
1.OA, NBT, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
First graders are exposed to addition of three whole numbers in a math activity centered around Eric Carle's, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As the teacher reads, young mathematicians use counters and ten-frames to symbolize the number of...