Jan 29
Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever had a student say, “Pizza is the best vegetable,” you already know the line between fact and opinion is a little blurry in upper elementary. But now more than ever—between clickbait headlines, viral TikToks, and that one kid who swears sloths can outrun cheetahs—it’s crucial to teach students how …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7365
Jan 01
Teaching play structure can be a showstopper—especially when students realize scripts aren’t just for theater kids. As part two of our How to Teach Structure Across Literary Genres series, this post dives into the storytelling magic behind plays: from stage directions to scenes, dialogue, and emotional beats. So grab your metaphorical playbill and dim the …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17633
Dec 04
If your students’ stories have ever zigzagged through plot points like a squirrel on espresso—chaotic, charming, but utterly confusing—then this lesson will bring some much-needed narrative order. In the first of our three-part series on teaching story structure, we’ll show you how to help students wrangle their ideas into clear, compelling tales. We’re kicking things …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17639
Nov 06
Ever heard a student say, “Y’all, this lesson’s fire”? Welcome to the colorful, quirky, and downright fascinating world of English dialects—where the way we talk reveals more than just where we’re from. This lesson helps students dig into Common Core Standard L.5.3.B, which asks 5th graders to analyze how varieties of English are used …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17533
Oct 02
What do a wizard, a tribute, and a time-traveling tortoise have in common? Turns out—quite a lot. When students learn to compare texts in different genres, they discover how authors tackle universal themes (like friendship, survival, or identity) in wildly different ways. This lesson helps students analyze how genres shape storytelling—and lets them explore it …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17432
Sep 04
Welcome to part two of our Compare & Contrast reading series! (If you missed part one—comparing themes across cultures—go check it out!) This week, we’re zooming in on stories in the same genre and asking the question: “If two books are both realistic fiction, why do they feel so different?” You’ve likely heard a student …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17430
Aug 07
Ever wish your students would stop and say, “Hey! That theme shows up in stories from everywhere!”?Well, wish granted—because this ready-to-teach lesson on RL.4.9 will have your class spotting universal themes and cultural twists faster than you can say folktale from the Philippines. And the best part? The full handout is prepped and waiting, so …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17448
