Questioning and Cross-Examination

A four-day investigative unit focused on citing textual evidence and making inferences across various genres, including short stories, non-fiction, and poetry. Students act as 'Evidence Detectives' to solve literary and factual mysteries while engaging in collaborative discussions.

A comprehensive, multi-genre writing project suite that transforms secondary ELA classrooms. This sequence features 25 creative, high-engagement projects categorized into Narrative, Expository, Argumentative, Persuasive, and Multi-Genre masterpieces, complete with teacher guides, student workbooks, and introductory slide decks.

A multi-week novel study sequence structured around the Hero's Journey framework, featuring five engaging books (The Red Pyramid, Tristan Strong, Hello Universe, Coyote Sunrise, Stella by Starlight). Incorporates creative, gamified, and role-play activities to sustain student engagement and deepen literary analysis.

A 4-week unit exploring the construction of heroism and villainy in sports through media analysis, persuasive writing, and investigative interview techniques. Students will analyze how public perception is shaped and ultimately create their own investigative podcast script.

A comprehensive ESL resource pack for 9-12th graders focused on the Artemis II mission. This sequence covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through space exploration content.

A celebratory series of activities leading up to Mother's Day, focusing on expressing appreciation and developing creative writing skills through a magazine-style project.

A 5-week intensive ELA unit on 'Friday Night Lights' using an investigative journalism lens. Students analyze the 'Permian Myth' through character archetypes and social commentary, culminating in the 'Odessa Verdict' One-Pager project.

A collection of materials focused on mastering future forms in English, with a specific emphasis on functional speaking skills for adult learners.

A high-engagement sequence where students evaluate persuasive techniques in modern digital media, practicing active listening and evidence-based argumentation through a Socratic Seminar format. Students analyze the ethics of micro-targeting, influencer marketing, and algorithmic persuasion.

A comparative literature sequence for 7th grade students exploring how universal themes are expressed across different genres and cultures, from folklore to modern multimedia.

A 2nd-grade ELA unit where students compare and contrast city and farm life using informational read-along texts, culminating in a comparative discussion.

A 10th-grade ELA sequence focused on the critical analysis and deconstruction of opposing evidence in debate. Students learn to scrutinize research methodologies, identify logical fallacies like cherry-picking and contextomy, and develop sharp cross-examination skills to expose weaknesses in arguments.

An introductory lesson on Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl' focusing on the unique structural choice of a single-sentence narrative, its rhythmic style, and the complex characterization of the mother-daughter relationship.

An 8th-grade ELA lesson that explores the complexities of character motivation, internal and external conflicts, and characterization through the metaphor of a kaleidoscope. Students analyze how characters drive plot and theme through close reading and interactive discussion.

A 6th-grade journalism-themed lesson focused on the power of open-ended questions. Students learn to pivot away from 'yes/no' dead ends and draft high-impact questions for a beat interview.

A comprehensive lesson on the nuances of interviewing, focusing on active listening, the power of open-ended questions, and the art of synthesizing spoken stories into compelling narratives for 10th-grade ELA.

A high-energy, immersive opening game for a memoir unit where students play a detective-themed version of Two Truths and a Lie to explore the boundaries of memory and narrative truth.

A 40-minute lesson focused on Chapter 13 ('The Keys') of Persepolis, exploring themes of manipulation and oppression through Socratic Seminar preparation. Students will analyze character perspectives and the use of religious imagery to control the youth during the Iran-Iraq War.

An 8th-grade ESL lesson where students learn about journalism and create their own digital newspaper using guided templates and sentence frames.

A lesson centered on analyzing Prometheus's motivations and the consequences of his actions using Bernard Evslin's myth. Students engage in a modified Philosophical Chairs debate supported by textual evidence.

Students take the stage as professional journalists to launch their digital magazine. This lesson guides them through the final live presentation, fielding audience questions, and demonstrating professional communication skills.

Students master the art of professional public speaking as they prepare for a high-stakes press conference, focusing on body language, vocal delivery, and audience engagement.

A lesson designed to guide 6th-grade students through the process of generating deep, interpretive discussion questions for Ray Bradbury's 'All Summer in a Day'. Students will move from literal comprehension to thematic analysis, eventually leading their own class discussion.

A comprehensive guide and set of tools for 6th-grade students to prepare for and execute a formal debate on the ethics of zoos. This lesson introduces the four-round debate structure, research techniques, and rebuttal strategies.