Curated OER
Poet James Whitcomb Riley: Famous in His Own Day
An engaging biography of "Hoosier" poet James Whitcomb Riley serves as a springboard for study of his unique dialect-based verse. Several activities illuminate differences between spoken vernacular and formal language. Learners record...
Lafayette Parrish School System
Teaching Tone and Mood
Tone and Mood are not synonymous! Introduce young readers to these literary devices with a series of exercises that not only point out the significant differences between the terms but also shows them how to identify both the tone and...
Curated OER
Poetry Interpretation and Figurative Language
Fifth graders discover how figurative language is used in poetry. They read selected poems and identify the figurative language with handouts and worksheets included in the lesson. They write poems of their own using figurative language.
Curated OER
Reading Poems Aloud: Sound And Meaning
Students consider the elements involved in reading poetry aloud. They discuss different poetic forms and how the choices a reader makes in tone, emphasis, breaths, and pauses can affect the listener's interpretation and understanding of...
Curated OER
All Quiet On The Western Front
Students create a poem on the subject of war. In this All Quiet on the Western Front lesson plan, students create poetry using phrases or lines that they brainstorm during a pre-writing session. Students enhance their poetry with...
Curated OER
Veteran's Day or Memorial Day Poetry Lesson
Young scholars examine poems dealing with Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. They discuss America's involvement in wars and if anyone in their family has served in the military. They write their own poems and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Line It Up
Students examine the structure of different poems by various artists. They discuss how the breaks in the poems change the way it is to be read. They also examine the use of tone in the poems.
Curated OER
Literary Response and Analysis
Examine a variety of literary responses to Abraham Lincoln's death and the impact of perception. Your class can work in writing groups to analyze either poetry, eulogy, or a newspaper article. They retell the events of Abraham Lincoln's...
Curated OER
Our City, Our Words
Students write poetry that captures their feelings about their city or town. After presenting their poetry at a class reading students compare their poetry to the work of published poets who have written about the same city.
Curated OER
Exploring the Self
Learners 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 they...
Curated OER
Stanza Proud
Students examine different decades in American history, finding connections between the historical events and the poetry written during these time periods. They write their own poetry based on current world events.
Curated OER
Langston Hughes
Students identify similarities between Hughes' poetry and music (jazz and the blues).
Curated OER
Sonnet Form
Students explore the sonnet form. In this lesson on sonnet form, students explore various sonnets and how a sonnet can range from conventional to experimental.
Curated OER
American Literature Authors and Their Works
Pupils match American Literature authors with their short stories, poems, and books. In this American Literature lesson, students are given an overview of the authors and their main works. Then pupils independently do a matching...
Curated OER
Basketball for Better Verse
Learners listen to and read stories about basketball. They write poetry about basketball.
Advocates for Human Rights
Who are Immigrants?
What do Jerry Yang, Patrick Ewing, John Muir, Charlize Theron, Peter Jennings, and Saint Frances X Cabrini all have in common? They are all immigrants to the United States. Famous and not-so-famous immigrants are the focus of a resource...
Curated OER
Experiencing Nature
Students create their own landscapes based on the topography of their region after studying the artwork of Cincinnati-based artist William Sonntag and other "Hudson River School" artists.
Curated OER
Exploring the Self
Learners use different pieces of music and writings to explore the theme of self-reliance and individuality. After viewing a video clip, they discuss how the images made them feel. They keep a writing journal to evaluate their own...
Curated OER
Household Names
Students explore the accomplishments of famous New Yorkers in the 19th century. In small groups, students read biographies and match them with a corresponding primary source document. The group that is most accurate in matching the...
Curated OER
Neh: Edsit Ement: Walt Whitman's Notebooks and Poetry: The Sweep of the Universe
For this lesson plan, students will consider "Walt Whitman's Notebooks and Poetry: The Sweep of the Universe." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Walt Whitman to Langston Hughes: Poems for a Democracy
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Walt Whitman to Langston Hughes: Poems for a Democracy." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Walt Whitman
Not only for teachers. Explore the world of this famous writer when you visit the collection of links on Whitman at the Web English Teacher website.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Poetry: Varying Views of America
Lesson allows students to examine the various views of American perspective through studying three poems by diverse poets: "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman, "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes, and "On the Pulse of Morning"...