A lesson exploring how fiction writers use rigorous research to create authentic sensory details and believable worlds, featuring a deep dive into historical and speculative settings.
An introductory lesson exploring various types of figurative language through clear examples and integrated practice questions.
This lesson introduces nine key figurative language devices through interactive slides and practice. Students identify definitions, analyze examples, and create their own original phrases while reviewing previous concepts.
A comprehensive lesson targeting 12 pairs/trios of commonly confused words through a "Grammar Lab" theme. Students will identify, define, and correctly apply homophones and tricky word pairs through direct instruction and a hands-on sorting game.
A deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart', focusing on the mechanics of suspense, the psychology of the unreliable narrator, and the sharp edge of gothic irony.
This lesson introduces 7th-grade students to the 'Show, Don't Tell' technique in personal narrative writing, focusing on using sensory details and internal dialogue to create immersive stories. Students will practice transforming flat statements into vivid scenes and apply these skills to original writing prompts.
A deep dive into common Greek and Latin roots for 7th graders, using a word archaeology theme to explore how language is built and understood.
A lesson focused on mastering academic vocabulary used in reading comprehension questions. Students will learn to distinguish between common analytical verbs and concepts through a hands-on matching game and reference guides.
A 45-minute lesson where students showcase their media literacy investigations through screencasts, engage in peer evaluation using a professional rubric, and reflect on their growth as digital fact-checkers.
In this lesson, students step into the role of investigative journalists to create a screencast that documents their fact-checking process and final findings. They will learn to combine digital storytelling with technical screencasting skills to present evidence clearly and convincingly.
A 45-minute lesson where students become newsroom investigators, learning to distinguish between objective hard news reporting and subjective opinion pieces through hands-on analysis and writing practice.
Students will identify and compare four major text structures: chronology, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution. Through an architectural 'blueprint' theme, ESL students will learn signal words and structural patterns to improve reading comprehension.
A focused lesson on identifying the main idea in fictional and non-fictional texts, tailored for adult learners preparing for the HSED RLA exam. Includes guided practice with current events and structured graphic organizers.
A lesson focused on analyzing the structure and content of a persuasive essay regarding school uniforms, helping students identify key argumentative components.
A spelling and vocabulary unit based on Chapters 1-4 of 'From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler', focusing on Claudia and Jamie's secret adventure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A lesson focused on distinguishing summary from opinion through the lens of the Prometheus myth, featuring a neutral news reporting activity.
An introductory lesson for the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, focusing on plot, setting, character, and the theme of survival.
In this lesson, students analyze the climax of the Prometheus myth, focusing on how specific details of his punishment convey the central idea of eternal sacrifice and defiance. Students will use the Bernard Evslin version of the text to identify key details and explain their significance.
A high-interest lesson focusing on pronoun-antecedent agreement and clarity within the context of anime and manga history, designed for English II STAAR preparation.
A deep dive into the 2010 Chilean mining accident, focusing on narrative structure, leadership, and the theme of resilience. Students will analyze how the 33 miners' story is constructed as a global narrative.
A collaborative 1-week final project where students form news crews to report on the tragic events of Verona, requiring deep analysis of character motives and textual evidence.
A lesson focused on helping students write a structured three-paragraph essay connecting a self-chosen topic to scientific principles.
Analyze themes, character development, and figurative language in literary excerpts to prepare for the literature portion of the TSIA.
Develop the ability to read between the lines and understand why an author wrote a text, moving beyond the literal.
Master the art of using context clues to define unfamiliar words, essential for tackling complex TSIA passages.
Learn to identify the central point of a passage and distinguish it from supporting details, a fundamental skill for the TSIA.
A choice-based writing lesson where students select an opinion prompt and use provided short articles to gather evidence for their persuasive pieces.