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Critic's Choice
Third graders read three to five genres and choose one as a favorite. They write an essay persuading the class to read the genre. This lesson serves as a nice introduction to different styles of literature.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Students complete activities for the autobiography of Maya Angelou. In this autobiography lesson, students write a journal entry about their life and discuss the morphology of the word autobiography. Students use active reading...
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Women in the Civil War
Students study the Civil War era in the US with a concentration on women during this time through literature and biographies. They create a timeline or multimedia presentation as one product of this series of lessons.
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Greetings from Maya Angelou
Students investigate the life and works of Maya Angelou. They complete a Webquest, read poems, listen to a reading by Maya Angelou, answer discussion questions, and write a poem, short story, or essay based on a newspaper article.
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Les Mis'rables
Students read, understand, and enjoy Les Miserables. They improve their skills in literary analysis, writing, and listening. Through the study of biblical and historical allusions, symbols, metaphors, and other figurative language, they...
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Kid Lit Crit
Students explore different types of student literature; they then write their own fiction pieces, in either fantasy/adventure or memoir/realism style.
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Would You Like to Become a Millionaire?
Students answer questions written by other teams about literature in an attempt to become "millionaires." In small groups they write a motivational introduction to their teams selected books, publish their questions as a HyperCard...
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Identifying Genre
For this identifying genre worksheet, 9th graders read the titles and descriptions of 15 stories, identify and write the genre and subgenre from the list provided.
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Jane Goodall
Learners read about Jane Goodall and complete discussion questions after they read about her. In this Jane Goodall lesson plan, students discuss questions as a group or write answers individually.
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Chocolate and Ice Cream Across the Curriculum
Sixth graders in a special education class discuss excerpts of two stories and read biographical information on the authors. In groups, they read the full text of both stories and try to solve the mystery as they read. They practice...
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Literature: "Harriet the Spy" By Louise Fitzhugh
Students examine websites about the book, "Harriet the Spy." There are suggested classroom activities, such as having students keep a journal of their observations. Also includes tips on how to teach students to use descriptive writing.
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Encounter with a Skull (Tae dokuro, 1890)
Students read and analyze a short story by Koda Rohan. They conduct research, read and discuss a biography of the author, identify examples of Japanese and Buddhist symbolism in the story, and write an original story.
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Advanced HyperStudio in the English Classroom
Students create a HyperStudio presentation over the course of the author unit.
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The Governors General of Canada
Students create and edit a website on Canada's Governors General. They identify the role and responsibilities of the office of Governor General, and write biographies on the previous Governor Generals.
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Studying Pillow The Book
Learners investigate the content of The Pillow Book. They conduct research and complete journals about the readings. There are target questions to guide the writing and reflection process.
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Henry Spelman: The Powhatan Indians' English Boy
Sixth graders read and analyze narrative writing by and about Henry Spelman, a boy-laborer who helped settle Jamestown. They read biographical information, discuss the harsh conditions, and write a narrative piece on Henry's experiences.
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Book Cover
Students choose chapter book and prepare front cover for the chapter using a drawing made with any art materials. They can include a scene from the chapter, title, author etc. They then write a summary of the chosen chapter.
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Reporting Live From...
Young scholars examine the many disasters in West Virginia. In this US history lesson, students write about and give an oral presentation of one of the disasters as if they were reporters.
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Speaking of the Speaker
Students deconstruct an obituary and examine the elements and incidents of a person's life that were chosen to memorialize in an obituary. They research a notable American and write and obituary about their life.
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This is Your Life!
Pupils create an autobiographical timeline that be shared with a classmate. They write a one paragraph biography based on the timeline.
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The Autobiography of a Middle School
Learners use digital cameras to document school experiences. Afterwards, they use computer software to manipulate their photos and write poetry, essays or biographies to compliment the pictures. Finally, students create an...
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Posting Personal Testimonies on the Web
Students read literature based on family heroes. They discuss the concepts of friendship, loyalty and death. They write their own stories of courage and post them to a webpage.
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Henry David Thoreau
Students explore the life and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. Students watch a slide show on Henry David Thoreau. They visit a quiet, tranquil location and observe nature. After reading and discussing Thoreau's works, students create...
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Reading Log
In this reading log worksheet, students fill in a reading log, noting title, author, genre and rating on a scale of 1-5. Students then write, "telling about the book."