This resource is designed to walk students through the process of completing a research project in any field of study. It covers the earliest stages of brainstorming and discussing, continues through researching and compiling sources; writing, documenting, revising, and polishing a paper; and finally presenting the research topic to a wider audience in a professional manner. The focus is on MLA format, though the course could be modified for other formats.

The first unit is an introduction to the project. It asks students to draw on knowledge of issues affecting their own community and world to help generate discussion that could eventually lead to a research topic.

After reading Beowulf and the story of Cain and Abel, students compare and contrast Cain and Grendel. Students research and make a case for a historical figure being a descendant of Cain. After reading page 10, chapter 2, and pages 30-33 in John Gardner's Grendel, students write about the different views we have of Grendel after reading Gardner's novel. Students research and write about a character who they feel is misunderstood like Gardner's Grendel. Students write about two traits they have because of the experiences they had in life, just like Grendel is the way he is in Gardner's novel because of his experiences. Students use MLA format for their works cited page and in-text citations. 

This resource was created by Brandi Edmond in collaboration with Lauren Rabourn as part of the 2019-20 ESU-NDE Digital Age Pedagogy Project. Educators worked with coaches to create Unit Plans promoting BlendEd Learning Best Practices. This Unit Plan is designed for Grades 11-12 and English Language Arts.

 Overview: In this lesson, students closely examine Crevecoeur’s third letter in order to understand historically early American literature and the culture. Students critically read the letter and answer critical content questions to increase their knowledge. Students will take a quiz demonstrating their understanding of some of the literature of this period. Finally, in the spirit of early America, students will write their own letters defining what an American is, why immigrants should come, and what the American Dream is or if it is still alive. Students will exchange their letters with a partner for feedback and then turn them in for completion points.

This Lesson Plan was created by Joanna Pruitt as part of the 2020 ESU-NDE Remote Learning Plan Project. This original lesson is for classroom use; however, there is a virtual option as well. Educators worked with coaches to create Remote Learning Plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The attached Lesson Plan is designed for Grades 9-12 English Language Arts students; however, this could also be used as a Social Studies project as well. Students will evaluate credible sources through research on genocides post World War II after completing a novel unit covering the Holocaust. Students will also create scrapbooks using summarizing, citation, informative writing, textual evidence, caption writing, and persuasive writing. Students will also be expected to demonstrate oral communication skills as they have to present their projects to the class. Students will use background knowledge to clarify text and also gain a deeper understanding by using relevant evidence from a variety of sources to assist in analysis and reflection of informative text. 

This introduction to satire includes an EdPuzzle that introduces the definition of satire, examples, explanations of four satirical techniques (incongruity, hyperbole, reversal, and parody), and practice questions. A second activity asks students to locate an example of satire online, analyze the satirical techniques used, and explain the criticism or comment expressed in the example.

The students do a PowerPoint over controversial police shootings of African Americans. The names of the victims come from a list at the end of the novel, The Hate U Give. Names of victims killed after the novel was published have been added.

This Remote Learning Plan was created by Joanna Pruitt as part of the 2020 ESU-NDE Remote Learning Plan Project. Educators worked with coaches to create Remote Learning Plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The attached Remote Learning Plan is designed for Grades 9-12 English Language Arts students. Students will learn the research process and how to write a research paper. It is expected that this Remote Learning Plan will take students 4-5 weeks to complete.

This lesson play includes reading and analyzing models of "This I Believe" personal narratives, pre-writing, drafting, peer editing, and proofreading ideas.