ALEX Lesson Plan Resources

ALEX Lesson Plans  
Subject: English Language Arts (11), or Social Studies (11)
Title: "Should They Stay, or Should They Go?" Considering the Point of View of an Alabama Citizen Regarding the World War I Draft
Description: In this lesson, students will read and critically examine a letter from an Alabama farm owner to a U.S. Senator from Alabama regarding exemption status for the 1917 Selective Service Act on behalf of one of her workers. This primary source document will allow the students to practice evaluating a complex text. The students will answer active reading questions to participate in a "Philosophical Chairs" class debate regarding the merit of the farm owner's request. The Philosophical Chairs activity will allow the students to verbally articulate an argumentative position while specifically using textual evidence to be able to defend their position. *Note: A bibliography of resources used can be found at the end of the "Lesson Procedures Section" of this lesson. This lesson was created in partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Subject: English Language Arts (11), or Social Studies (11)
Title: Not so Fast, Mr. President!: Examining American Opposition to Involvement in World War I
Description: In this lesson, students will be examining primary sources about differing viewpoints on America's involvement in World War I. The students will annotate the documents, looking for main ideas and supporting details. The students will then form graphic organizers separating two opposing viewpoints. Finally, students will write a group expository essay using the data from the graphic organizer. This lesson was created as part of the Alabama Bicentennial Commission’s Curriculum Development Project.

Subject: English Language Arts (11), or Social Studies (11)
Title: "Cheer, Cheer, for the 'Red, White, and Blue!'" University and High School Students' Contributions and Participation During the World Wars
Description: Students will examine and evaluate both college and high school students' support of and involvement in the World Wars. Students will research both photographic and textual resources in order to produce factual information about how students reacted to World Wars 1 and 2. This lesson will culminate in a student-driven Socratic Seminar-style discussion which will allow the students to verbally articulate their findings from the resources provided. This lesson was created in partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Understanding You: Using Understood You in Fiction Writing
Description: In this lesson, students will compose their own nonfiction essay using understood you as the narrative technique. This is a College- and Career-Ready Standards showcase lesson plan.

Subject: English Language Arts (11)
Title: Jump at 'de Sun! Let's become Zoraheads!
Description: Students will learn about Zora Neale Hurston at the beginning of a unit on Their eyes were watching God. Using the essay "How it Feels to be Colored Me," students will discuss the use of metaphors in correlation to Hurston's life. Students will also construct a poem using metaphors pertaining to their own lives.  This is a College- and Career-Ready Standards showcase lesson plan.