English II

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Students study the symbolism, setting, and characterization in Kafka's work.

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

By Laura Rose.

Do you "Really" Believe in Magic?

Students are introduced to the genre (or mode) of Magical Realism in World Literature by reading Gabriel Garcia-Marquez's short story, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings." This lesson plan is modified for an English Language Learner (ELL) at the Intermediate Low (IL) proficiency level.

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

By Ann Gerber and Tericia Summers.

Hidden Persuaders

This lesson uses the integrated approach to examine classic propaganda techniques to analyze factors which influence learning and thinking processes influencing formation of public opinion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts, Theatre Arts Education, Visual Arts Education, and Social Studies)

By Mary Ann Warren and MaryLou West.

Improving Student Essay Writing

English II teachers are constantly searching for strategies to improve students' analytical responses to literature. This lesson is designed for all types of learners, offering various activities for all learning styles. Individual, small group, and whole class activities on essay writing culminate with the student writing his or her own formal response to literature.

This generic writing activity may be used with any literary unit and at any point in your students' development of the writing process.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Shawn Parker.

India's path to independence

This interdisciplinary plan includes the study of the effects of imperialism and India's struggle for independence through history texts, literary works, and online resources. Activities include a seminar, research, and a news broadcast. Although this unit is designed for integrated English II and World Civilizations, lessons can be adapted to other class structures.

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

By Marian Johnson.

Join Up

This lesson is designed to help students look more closely at the reasons why Paul and his friends from the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, along with other soldiers joined the armed forces in WWI. Through primary sources and the novel, students will have a better understanding of propaganda and how it affects people.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Kari Siko.

Looking Back - An Art/English/History Interdisciplinary unit

This is an interdisciplinary unit that incorporates research of historical events of the past century. By students learning to recognize that society impacts the themes within art and literature, students then take this knowledge base and interview an individual to develop a biographical narrative, a collage, and oral presentation.

The lesson can be modified to take two weeks or longer. Some of the activites are designed for long-term assignments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, and Social Studies)

By Julie Osmon.

Making a Video Critique of an Information Source

After finishing their social issues research paper for their English class (or any other type of research paper), students will write and present orally a critique of one information source used in their research papers. Students will work in pairs to videotape each other, and they must also design appropriate backdrops for their oral presentations. Students will watch and evaluate all critiques.

This interdisciplinary assignment combines information skills and language arts skills, and requires collaboration between the media specialist and the English teacher.

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

By Bonnie Snyder.

Replica of a Period Newspaper/World Literature

Students will research a specific time in history in order to create the front page of a newspaper relevant to the selected time period.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Kim Dechant.

The scarlet “A”: Role-play in writing

This lesson was created to follow a close reading and examination of Nathanial Hawthorne's A Scarlet Letter. The plan uses a small group format and rotation schedule. The activities created strengthen students' understanding of an author's use of characterization, while reinforcing reading and creative writing skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Tonya White.

Setting and Symbolism in A Doll's House

This lesson is designed as a follow-up to the reading and discussion of the play A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. An understanding of the two literary terms setting and symbolism, and their impact on a work of literature, are essential to students' success in following the guidelines outlined in the North Carolina English Language Arts Standard Course of Study. This lesson has been modified for English Language Learners at the intermediate high proficiency level, but would also be adaptable for learners at the novice or advanced levels.

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

By Guy Hill and Crystal Brown.

War Is...

Upon consideration of the perspectives on war from their classmates, the poet Stephen Crane in "War is Kind," and various characters from All Quiet on the Western Front, students will write an editorial for the school newspaper in which they share opinions about war.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Rhonda Dillingham.

"Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens"

Students read, discuss, and write about "Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens" by Spencer Johnson, M.D., a parable about life's changes, and how best to benefit from them. By reading the parable, students will learn ways to react positively to inevitable change, and gain insight into their personal decision-making processes regarding changes in their lives, now and in the future.

This lesson plan is modified for Advanced English Language Learners in the 9th and 10th grades. It is written for 45 minute class periods, but can be modified for 90 minute block classes.

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

By Ann Gerber.

You Ate What??

After reading the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, students will use primary sources to relate Paul's experience to the life of a North Carolina soldier. Students will create their own primary source journal entry.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Kari Siko.

Lesson plans on the web

“You're the Top!” Pop culture then and now

In an exploration of Cole Porter's song, “You're the Top!,” students write about present-day pop culture and learn about pop culture of the past. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

The age poem: Building a community of trust

Students create an “age poem” to explore childhood memories. (Learn more)

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

Provider: Rethinking Schools Online

Analyzing symbolism, plot, and theme in Death and the Miser

In this lesson, students apply analytical skills to an exploration of the early Renaissance painting Death and the Miser by Hieronymous Bosch. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Audio listening practices: Exploring personal experiences with audio texts

In this lesson designed to develop students’ involvement with media literacy, students keep a daily diary that records how and when they listen to radio, music (e.g., songs on MP3 players, podcasting), and other streaming media or archived broadcasts. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Censorship in the classroom: Understanding controversial issues

In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students examine propaganda and media bias and explore a variety of banned and challenged books, researching the reasons these books have been censored. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Critical reading: Two stories, two authors, same plot?

This lesson encourages students to read and respond critically to two different pieces of literature with the same title. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE