LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 5

The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.

Objective 5.01

Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:

  • using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
  • reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
  • reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
  • discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions.
  • taking an active role in whole class seminars.
  • discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback and sarcasm.
  • interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
  • investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes.
  • recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) within and across works.
  • extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
  • exploring relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts and/or experiences.

Resources aligned to this objective

Resources on the web

Honoring our veterans through poetry prewriting
This lesson from ReadWriteThink uses the informational power of the Internet for a prewriting activity. Through various Internet sites, students gather information about the history and celebration practices associated with Veterans Day. Following the prewriting... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
GIST: A summarizing strategy for use in any content area
This lesson supports comprehension and summarizing skills by engaging students in reading and identifying the “5Ws and the H” in newspaper articles. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Found poems/Parallel poems
Students write found poems using a descriptive passage from a piece of literature they are reading. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Focusing reader response through vocabulary analysis
After reading The Hobbit, students compile a list of words associated with details about the novel. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Flip-a-chip: Examining affixes and roots to build vocabulary
Students are introduced to the Flip-a-Chip activity and have an opportunity to build their own packets. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Finding the science behind science fiction through paired readings
In this lesson, students explore the genre of science fiction, while learning more about the science integrated into the plot of the story using nonfiction texts and resources. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Finding figurative language in “The Phantom Tollbooth”
This lesson provides hands-on differentiated instruction by guiding students to search for the literal definitions of figurative language using the Internet. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Fiction, plotting the story
In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students thoroughly explore how the elements of fiction can enhance and develop their writing. Students will: demonstrate the ability to write for the purpose of expressing personal ideas; explore plot... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)
Provided by: ArtsEdge
Fairy tale autobiographies
In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students will work in groups to read and analyze fairy tales, brainstorm for events in their lives that could be changed into fairy tales, and develop setting, characters, and plot for their fairy tale. Students will... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Expository escapade-Detective's handbook
In this lesson, students combine reading the detective fiction genre with expository writing. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
An exploration of text sets: Supporting all readers
Introduces text sets to support readers of a range of abilities and experience. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Dynamic duo text talks: Examining the content of Internet sites
This introductory lesson from ReadWriteThink exposes students to a variety of online texts about Anne Frank and the Holocaust prior to more extensive study of these topics. Students are encouraged to cooperatively examine Internet sites as a primary source... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Doodle splash: Using graphics to discuss literature
Students keep a doodle journal while reading short stories by a common author. In small groups, students combine their doodles into a graphic representation of the text that they present to the class while discussing their story. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
A directed listening-thinking activity for The Tell-Tale Heart
Students participate in a Directed Listening-Thinking Activity (DLTA), in which they listen to the story “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Developing reading plans to support independent reading
In this lesson that can be repeated throughout the school year, students evaluate the types of texts they enjoyed reading previously. Students classify and categorize common characteristics in types of books they have read recently. After searching for... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Developing a definition of reading through analysis in middle school
Students interact with a variety of different texts to uncover a broader meaning of reading. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Creative writing through wordless picture books
Exposes students to wordless picture books and begin developing story lines orally and in writing. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Cosmic oranges: Observation and inquiry through descriptive writing and art
This lesson employs scientific observation, descriptive writing, sketching, reading, investigation, and poetry writing to train students to use their senses and focus their attention. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Cooking up descriptive language: Designing restaurant menus
In this lesson students explore the genre of menus by analyzing existing menus from local restaurants and creating their own original menus. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)
Provided by: IRA/NCTE
Choose your own adventure: A Hypertext writing experience
In this lesson students create original “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories and using web-authoring software, develop their own Internet sites with the parts of the story hyperlinked to each other. After a review of setting, character development,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts)
Provided by: ReadWriteThink