One of the keys for successful teaching is connecting curriculum to real-life experiences. This activity on blogging does this, by making writing, revising, and publishing a reality. Pupils create a character for a story, write about...

Readers select a character from Call of the Wild, record their responses to a series of prompts in a spiral notebook, and use details from the novel to support their thinking. The spirals are then used as source material to support...

Who would you like to see at your luncheon table? After selecting a character from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, young writers re-imagine The Great Gatsby and how it would be different if told from their character’s point of view....

Reinforce the actions, emotions, and characteristics that determine what a character is like by having your middle schoolers create a biopoem using the model presented here. You could engage them first by having them write a poem about...

High schoolers discover how setting, props, and character-action communicate information about the characters and the story. Access to videos and a video camera are important to make this lesson a success.

Eighth graders read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and participate in whole class discussions. They evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information in the text in order to explain character motivation and action. Students produce an essay...

Which character in Toni Morrison’s Beloved personifies evil? What does Seth overhear Schooteacher instruct his pupils to do? The 50 multiple choice and matching questions on this exam focus on points of plot; therefore, test takers could...

Although the title suggests this resource is devoted to Gulliver’s Travels, the materials and templates can be used with any work of literature. Readers fill out a reading schedule chart, write a summary, keep a vocabulary word list, and...

Where the Red Fern Grows provides the text for a study of the literary elements of plot, character, and setting. Discussion questions and vocabulary lists are referenced but not included.

High schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this citizenship lesson, students collaborate to compile a list of the top ten traits of good citizens. High schoolers then discuss random acts of kindness and create a plan to share...

Young scholars review the concept of character and name the traits associated with good character. As a class, they discover a mystery at Lake Cachuma and complete a worksheet. They use the internet to research the history of the...

Students discuss the character trait of "courage of convictions" and apply this to their daily life. Using the internet, they research the life and work of Thomas McKean and discuss the courage needed to sign the Declaration of...

Students continue their examination of character by being introduced to the concept of responsibility. As a class, they are read a story and identify when the main character was being responsible. They share wha they are responsible...

Seventh graders explore what it takes to be courageous.  In this social studies instructional activity, 7th graders analyze different character traits.  Students explain their feelings on their specific character traits. 

Students examine the way they react to characters and text. They write respones to different media tests. They are required to bring in a photograph and create a mini-biography for homework.

Eighth graders examine the trait of perseverance. In this character education lesson, 8th graders discuss how to deal with reality. Students consider how to help others facing difficult situations.

Students examine their personal feelings regarding exclusive groups. In this character education lesson, students conduct mini-debates as they discuss how they relate to one another regarding exclusive social groups.

First graders read the book Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. They consider when they have shared with someone or expressed caring. They write, illustrate and compile a fish book that tells of their caring and sharing experiences.

Second graders design and share care and consideration banner. Students listen to stories about caring and considering others.

Students explore color connotations. In this color imagery lesson, students view a PowerPoint to generate a discussion of color imagery. Students rename colors as they appear on the PowerPoint. Students explore the emotions that...

Students explore language arts by participating in a story analysis activity. In this story structure lesson, students read three short stories in class and identify the characters, conflicts and settings. Students complete a...

Learners explore the use of voice and title in William Faulkner's, "As I Lay Dying". They identify and discuss the use of image, symbols and narrative voice in the story.

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is famous, in part, because it established a uniquely American form of humor. For this famous story, Mark Twain combines the tall-tale, the dialect story, and satire. Here is a resource...

Strengthen the bonds of friendship within your class with a reading of E.B. White's award-winning novel, Charlotte's Web. Focusing on the unique characters in the story and the relationships they develop, young readers draw...