English I

Using RAFT to determine how to write an informational essay

Students will use RAFT as a tool to determine how to write an informational essay. They will also design a graphic organizer for the assignment as well as compose a rough draft. This is the second lesson in a series of three based on the LEARN NC 9th grade writing exemplars.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

By Kim Bowen.

Sequential vocabulary: Lesson I

Understanding words is necessary for success in every discipline. Learning to identify and define word parts empowers a student to unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words. This process teaches a life skill rather than memorization of definitions. Sequential Vocabulary: Lesson I is designed to be taught with Sequential Vocabulary: Lessons II, III, and IV.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

By Valerie Hendricks.

Sentence combining and decombining

Students will focus on stylistic choices and sentence fluency by combining, decombining, and recombining sentences in professional writing, peer writing, and their own writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts)

By Peter Bobbe.

Grammar Scramblers, spreadsheets, and parts of speech

Students use and create Grammar Scramblers with a spreadsheet in order to practice identifying and using parts of speech in a fun way.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–9 English Language Arts)

By Tom Munk.

Diction in Maya Angelou's poem "Remembering"

The class will annotate and discuss Angelou's poem. Then they will select specific words and complete a webbing that asks them to explore the connotations of the word as well as consider the author's purpose in using it.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)

By Vickie Smith.

Analyzing author style using sentence combining

This activity should be completed before reading the essay “Beach People, Mountain People” by Suzanne Britt. Students will combine three sets of kernel sentences based on the first paragraph of Britt's writing. They will then compare their sentences to Britt's. The class will discuss what sentence combining strategy or strategies they used and observe how Britt varies her sentences.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts)

By Vickie Smith.

Resources on the web

The year I was born: An autobiographical research project

In this lesson, students conduct interviews and online research to find details on what was going on internationally, nationally, locally, in sports, music, arts, commercial, TV, and publishing during the year that they were born. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Writing about writing: An extended metaphor assignment

In this lesson, students use Richard Wilbur's poem “The Writer” as an inspiration as they write their own extended metaphor describing themselves as writers. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 and 11 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

The world of Haiku

Students explore the traditions and conventions of haiku, comparing this classic form of Japanese poetry to a related genre of Japanese visual art and composing haiku of their own. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 and 9 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities

Word maps: Developing critical and analytical thinking about literary characters

In this lesson, students read the short story “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry and focus on the author's use of characterization. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

What's my subject? A subject-verb agreement mini-lesson

In this lesson, students explore subject–verb agreement using real-life examples from newspapers and song lyrics. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Unlocking the underlying symbolism and themes of a dramatic work

This lesson plan invites students to explore the items relevant to a character from Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun to unlock the drama’s underlying symbolism and themes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Teaching the epic through ghost stories

In this lesson, students connect to epic storytellers by sharing their own oral tales of ghosts and goblins and monsters. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Teaching plot structure through short stories

After viewing a PowerPoint presentation on plot structure, students use an online graphic organizer to identify the significant events that shape the structure of several short stories. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Star-crossed lovers online: Romeo and Juliet for a digital age

Students use their understanding of modern technology to create contemporary interpretations of important scenes from Romeo and Juliet. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Spend a day in my shoes: Exploring the role of perspective in narrative

In this lesson based on To Kill a Mockingbird, students are challenged to imagine spending a day in someone else's shoes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

So what do you think? Writing a review

After examining samples of movie, music, restaurant, and book reviews, students devise guidelines for writing interesting and informative reviews. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

A significant influence: Describing an important teacher in your life

In this lesson, students write tributes to teachers or mentors who have made profound differences in their lives. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Seuss and Silverstein: Posing questions, presenting points

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, classic stories provide the ideal springboard for struggling readers to discuss relevant social issues. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Put that on the list: Independently writing a catalog poem

In this activity, students use that structure to write powerful poetry, modeled after Raymond Carver’s poem “The Car”. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE