1 Letters from the Frontier : Reading and Writing Primary Documents Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading, Social Studies Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: Using a collection of letters, students demonstrate skills in reading and interpreting primary documents, within their historical context, through class discussion and written composition. Students examine the ways in which language, syntax, and the author's viewpoints impact the objectivity of historical documents.... 2 Analyzing Advice as an Introduction to Shakespeare Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grade 8 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students read and analyze the advice texts by reading newspaper columns and Shakespearean passages. The lesson begins with the exploration of a newspaper column and its recording.... Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–7 Professional Commentary: This instructional unit provides opportunities to study the features and purposes of newspapers through the creation of a classroom newspaper. This writing project encourages creative thinking and allows students to practice a variety of writing applications as they create pieces for their class newspaper.... 4 The Civil War Through a Child's Eye Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grade 8 Professional Commentary: The "Civil War through a Child's Eye" lesson focuses on the use of historical fiction and primary sources to expand students' perceptions of the Civil War era. Literature and photographic images reflect, communicate, and influence human perspectives of historical events.... 5 Book Report Alternative: A Character’s Letter to the Editor Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–8 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students assume the persona of a central character from a novel and write a persuasive letter to the editor regarding an issue important to that character. Not only do students have an opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the book, they also explore newspapers to determine criteria for successful letters to the editor.... 6 “Fly Girls”: Women Aviators in World War II Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grade 8 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students explore the contributions of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II. They examine portrayals of women in World War II in recruitment posters and compare and contrast them with personal recollections found in primary sources.... 7 Revolutionary Viewpoints Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grade 8 Professional Commentary: Historical documents are rich resources that enable us to look at the past while learning about how we see ourselves and how we see others. April Morning by Howard Fast is the novel from which this unit is developed.... Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 7–8 Professional Commentary: Lessons included with this resource allow students to identify, discuss, and apply the elements, conventions, and language features of persuasive texts. The activities guide students through the concept of argument by looking at examples of argument found in daily media sources.... 9 To Kill a Mockingbird: A Historical Perspective Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading, Social Studies Grades: Grades 9–10 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students gain a sense of the living history that surrounds the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Through studying primary source materials from American Memory and other online resources, students grasp how historical events and human forces have influenced literary texts.... 10 Showing Good Taste: Writing Thoughtful Restaurant Reviews in the Language Arts Classroom Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–12 Professional Commentary: In this lesson students distinguish the important elements of well-written restaurant reviews by analyzing and evaluating reviews from The New York Times and by writing their own reviews of favorite dining locations. Students are encouraged to evaluate critical and persuasive texts as well as writing their own.... |