Search results

How ironic!

This lesson will introduce students to the concept of irony. Verbal, situational, and dramatic irony will be defined, but the focus of the lesson is situational irony. This lesson can be used prior to teaching longer, more complex short stories that contain situational irony. This lesson is modified for an English Language Learner (ELL) who reads at the Intermediate Low (IL) level.

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

By Ann Gerber and Tericia Summers.

Finding an emotional outlet you can get into

In The First Year, page 3.8

If you don't take care of yourself and respect your own needs, you can't meet your students' needs, either.

By Kristi Johnson Smith.

A survivor's story: How does it really feel?

Students use oral history excerpts of a Hurricane Floyd survivor to explore the concept of contradiction or irony.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Tar Heels pitch in

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 2.7

"Tar Heel," evidence indicates, was a derogatory nickname applied to North Carolina soldiers by others in the Army of Northern Virginia. It was a natural, given that the boys from the piney woods oftentimes were harvesters of tar, pitch, and turpentine. It...

Format: article

Elberta's story: A humor moment

In this excerpt from an oral history interview, Elberta Hudson describes a moment of irony in her experience at a shelter after her home in White Stocking, North Carolina was flooded during Hurricane Floyd.

Format: audio

Connecting with colleagues: No tricks, all treat!

In The First Year, page 2.4

You're busy, but making time for conversation with colleagues will pay off in the long run.

Format: article

By Kristi Johnson Smith.

Railroads in Western North Carolina

In North Carolina in the New South, page 2.6

In the nineteenth century, Asheville, a crossroads for agriculture, became a destination for tourists, loggers, and miners. New railroads meet the needs of all these groups.

Format: article

"The Cask of Amontillado"

The short story "The Cask of Amontillado," by Edgar Allan Poe is an effective venue for teaching English I literary terms. The following lesson plan is designed to engage the reader in a deeper than superficial reading of the text. It is also designed to elicit discussion and written critical-thinking responses. This lesson assumes that the literary terms have already been introduced. However, if they have not, the teacher may use this lesson to introduce these terms in the context of the literature.

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

By Guy Hill and Crystal Brown.

"We have unexpectedly become civilized"

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 10.4

Letter from citizens of Turkey Town in the Cherokee Phoenix and Indians' Advocate, 1829, opposing relocation. The authors pointed out the irony that even after becoming "civilized" as white people had claimed to want, they were nevertheless being pushed off their land. Includes historical commentary.

Format: newspaper

Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert and L. Maren Wood.

Using sound in the classroom

This article discusses the benefits of using sound in the classroom, and shares some activities to help you and your students get the most out of the experience.

Format: article/best practice

By Kristin Post.

Rose O'Neal Greenhow describes the Battle of Manassas

In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 2.6

Excerpt from the memoir of the Confederate spy in which she describes the First Battle of Manassas in June 1861 and her role in getting intelligence to Confederate generals. Includes historical commentary.

Format: book

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Reading for relevance in literature

A unit-length instructional plan for using graphic organizers to promote active reading of novels, using The Count of Monte Cristo as an example.

By Suzanne Micallef.

The not-so-famous person report

In Rethinking Reports, page 3.2

Instead of teaching the history of the famous, use research in primary sources to teach students that the past and present were made by people like them.

Format: article

By David Walbert.

Resources on the web

Debate Central

A video collection that covers debate instruction and sample debates. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: University of Vermont

Analyzing the purpose and meaning of political cartoons

In this lesson, students evaluate political cartoons for their meaning, message, and persuasiveness. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE