Right 2 Write

I have used this 4-part exercise as an introduction to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Part I asks students to consider the American Dream at the height of immigration in the United States. This involves some research. Part II asks students to consider and predict their own lives in 20 years in relation to the American Dream. Part III explores the transformation of the American Dream and asks what it means today. Part IV guides students in a reading of “Richard Cory,” a poem by Edwin

This is an interactive poetry exercise using Jenny Joseph's poem "Warning: When I am an Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple." Part I of this exercise begins with a Hyper Doc that explores the poem and asks students to respond in complete sentences. The questions test a student's ability to read the lines, to read between the lines, and to read beyond the lines. Part II of the exercise asks students to fill in the poem with their own word substitutions, ultimately creating an original poem on the same

This document contains five project choices that connect to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper."  I have successfully used the attached project script with seniors in an English IV literary feminist unit. I posted the script as a Google Doc; students went in and tagged their names to various projects.   FOUR  of the projects require 4 students; ONE project requires 2 students. Before students make their choices, I designate how many times a "choice" can be tagged—thus ensuring tha

This is a fun, but challenging activity where high school (or possibly middle school) students introduce themselves. I have successfully used it with 12th graders. As the students enter the classroom, there is an index card and the attached script on their desk. After general introductions to the class, I ask students to follow the directions on the script. After students complete their alliterated introduction (using the initials of their first and last name), they come forward and read th

Although this is a word document, I usually save it as a Google Doc and post it in my Google Classroom. The group task presents ten dynamic questions concerning Part III of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis. Questions concern plot, characterization, theme, and writer's choice. An example of one question: Many feel that the saddest metamorphosis is Grete’s change in attitude toward Gregor. Discuss Grete’s ultimate rejection of her brother. Give three possible reasons for her changed attitude.Usuall

Students absolutely love writing dramatic monologues, especially when they find out that the "I" in the poem does not have to be them! I have used this presentation with both high school seniors and creative writing students. I feel that it can also be used with students as young as sixth grade! For students who are a bit "shy" to the poetic world, I always tell them to think of the poem as an important text message. They immediately catch on and deliver! When I have my seniors complete a se

I have found this introductory writing exercise to be most beneficial at the start of each school year. It not only introduces me to my students (their personalities, their strengths, their needs, ect.), but also puts them at ease in the writing world. The idea here is to take the major literary works to be studied, post quotations from the works, and have students respond in letter form (to the teacher) to a favorite quotation. Although the directions ask for one full page, I am often treate

This exercise can be used as a final assessment after teaching assonance and alliteration. I have used this exercise as such in a creative writing classroom, as well as an ELA classroom. A fun section is included whereby the student uses the initials of his/her name to create an alliterated line. I have used the exercise as both a HANDOUT and as a Google Classroom Google Doc. The answer key is included.

This test contains four sections: a multiple choice section that asks general plot questions, a section concerning major symbols in the book, a true/false section that refers to general plot details, and an essay that asks students to "look beyond" the novel. An answer key is provided.

This 41-slide presentation introduces students to existentialism. The PowerPoint begins by asking some fundamental questions about existence. After offering a definition of existentialism, the presentation then discusses the six basic themes of the philosophy. It then notes facts concerning four major existentialists. The PowerPoint ends with a section called “Existentialism: Visually Depicted” where existential art and existential cartoons are presented. Slides are audience-friendly and vibra

This small group setup works well even with older students. As an ELA teacher of seniors, I often allow my students to make up their own small discussion groups. However, I also like to designate groups at other times. This particular setup offers students a random "ticket" upon entry to the class which they must connect with a corresponding note-taking page. The download contains a direction sheet, a sheet of student symbol tickets, and a series of corresponding note-taking pages.

This interactive workbook introduces children to the world of poetry, opening their eyes (and ears) to sound and sense, as well as figurative language. The 36 page workbook includes the following areas: rhyme, alliteration, simile, and metaphor. Children also interact with and create poetic forms such as concrete, acrostic, limericks, and diamante poems.

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is part of the senior English curriculum at the high school where I have been teaching for the past 22 years. Every year, I leave this gem of a novel to last, as it speaks of "moving on," as well as dreams. In conjunction to reading the novel, students write four journals. Although the journals coincide with events in the novel, each journal prompt requires a personal response from students who are close to graduation. Students are able to synthesize Santiago's j

I have used this PowerPoint with seniors in high school whenever an essay assignment zeroes in on VOICE. Students are often confused between an author's voice a and a student writer's voice. This PowerPoint explains VOICE as it includes 8 basic elements that make up voice. The lesson gears students to an understanding of VOICE in not only fiction, but also in their own writing. Examples are used throughout to facilitate understanding.

As a culmination to an American Dream/Gatsby unit, I always hold a Gatsby party. I bring in non-alcoholic champagne; the students bring in the snacks. This party is a true culmination; students have read, discussed, and written about THE GREAT GATSBY, as well as researched and created various 1920's Power-points. The invitation is effective because it asks students to decide, as party-goers, if they are from East Egg or West Egg. It also requires students to decide on an AKA before entering

I use this exercise every year when teaching Kafka's METAMORPHOSIS. I have used it both as a group and partner exercise. Students discuss and create three possible explanations for the symbolism the apple in Kafka's METAMORPHOSIS. They then decide on their favorite explanation for the symbolism of the apple. I find the success of this exercise is due not only to the effective group/partner exercise, but also to the fact that students take ownership of their discussion by prioritizing their di

This PowerPoint discusses Gatsby's "greatness" in the realm of humanity. In a progressive, outline fashion, it discusses Nick's viewpoint, Gatsby's father's viewpoint, and the Owl Eyed man's viewpoint. It further explicates Fitzgerald's gorgeous ending of the novel. Original photographs of mine are included.

I have used this fun exercise for many years with high school students. I often put it to use after a vacation--after summer vacation, after winter or spring break. I tell the students that it is a simple exercise designated to exercise their brains. I have used it with 10th, 11th, and 12th graders; however, I am sure that it can be used with middle school students, as well. I have reformatted the exercise myself. Since I am not sure where I first got the exercise, I am offering it for free!