English II

A “defining moment” in editorial writing

Students will be introduced to the definition mode of writing. Students will learn to define a particular subject by responding in an editorial format. Students will first compose an editorial graphic organizer, which will aid in composing a completed editorial using the writing process. This lesson includes modifications for a Novice Low Limited English student.

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

By Susan Brooks and Carrie Mabry.

Oedipus the King Reader's Theatre

Students will rewrite the Greek tragedy in a modern context in order to review and analyze the plot. This assignment is designed as a final project in a Greek Theatre unit. It is expected that the literature has already been read and analyzed as a class. I have found that this project is an innovative way to review for a unit test on the play and Greek Theatre.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Gina LaManna.

Adding Support and Detail Without Getting Arrested!

This lesson plan is designed to teach students the concept of using facts to support ideas and to interpret (elaborate on) those facts in order to create a synthesized paragraph.

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

By Bonnie Mcmurray and Julie Joslin.

Concept Chairs / A Format for Classroom Discussion

This is a culminating activity that provides a format so that all participants are drawn into a discussion.

The discussion for the "Concept Chairs" will be based on a unit of study that assesses the effectiveness of the Judicial System while examining various types of justice within society (social, personal and constitutional). Primary texts, fictional literature and non-print sources will provide the basis for this discussion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Computer Technology Skills)

By Marion O'Quinn.

Evaluating Conclusions

Using the North Carolina End-of-Course II March 1998 prompt, students will evaluate seven conclusions which use A Doll's House for the prompt response.

Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts)

By Carol Harris2.

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.

Pilgrimage: Mission

The students view symbols and traditions of world religions in artwork as a source for discussion of the effect of “mission” in world history. This discussion also parallels texts usually taught in English II.

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

By Betty Eidenier.

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.

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.

Lesson plans on the web

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

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

Decoding “The Matrix”: Exploring dystopian characteristics through film

In this lesson, students are introduced to the definition and characteristics of a dystopian work by watching video clips from The Matrix and other dystopian films. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Don't be fooled by a photograph

Students will discuss how a photograph conveys information, and how changing that photograph can change its message. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–10 Information Skills, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Focus on first lines: Increasing comprehension through prediction strategies

In this lesson, students examine opening sentences in literary works and make predictions about the content of the texts they will read later. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Geography and history in songs

Students look at some historical paintings on the Internet and describe the things the paintings reveal about the places depicted in the paintings. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Holocaust and resistance

Students reflect on the Holocaust from the point of view of those who actively resisted Nazi persecution. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Persuading an audience: Writing effective letters to the editor

Students write a persuasive letter to the editor of a newspaper, focusing on a current local or national issue. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 and 10 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Propaganda techniques in literature and online political ads

This lesson suggests using Aldous Huxley's Brave New World to introduce students to propaganda techniques used in literature and popular culture. This short unit would be appropriate to use with various novels and when discussing advertising campaigns used in government elections. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 10–12 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Using student-centered comprehension strategies with Elie Wiesel's "Night"

Working in small groups, students use reciprocal teaching strategies as they read and discuss Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE