Consider the history of the American novel in terms of the literary movements that have occurred within the context of United States history. Write an original piece in the style of an American writer.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americannovel/classroom4.html

Examine variation in English as it relates to geographic regions in the U.S., and identify major differences. Trace historical events that have shaped the current major regional dialects, and apply this information to analyze language change.

http://www.pbs.org/speak/education/curriculum/high/regional/

Understand conventions and origins that are typical of different styles of language use, identify some fundamental differences between spoken and written language and explore choice in an individual's own language use.

http://www.pbs.org/speak/education/curriculum/high/perspectives/

List which includes plans and explications of over 40 of the most prominent female authors of the last 200 years.

http://condor.depaul.edu/~english/pedagogy/women/html/writer.html

The intent of this eight-week unit is to point out the struggle of women writers to become recognized and included in the literature of this century.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1978/3/78.03.11.x.html#a

This curriculum was designed for at-risk students enrolled in an alternative high school program. The literature used for the unit is multicultural, representing cultures in the student population: Alice Walker's "Everyday Use,"; Nicholasa Mohr's "An Awakening...Summer, 1956,"; Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"; and Yashiko Uchida's Picture Bride.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1999/1/99.01.08.x.html

Learn how writer Zora Neale Hurston incorporated and transformed black folklife in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. By exploring Hurston’s own life history and collection methods, listening to her WPA recordings of folksongs and folktales, and comparing transcribed folk narrative texts with the plot and themes of the novel, students will learn about the crucial role of oral folklore in Hurston’s written work.

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=407

This unit presents students with a variety of literature by women authors who focus on some aspect of the African American family as it has survived its experience in the United States.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1999/1/99.01.10.x.html

Develop a deep understanding of the history and culture of African-Americans. Recognize the historical roots and present-day manifestations of stereotypes and critically examine how Twain used these stereotypes in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/teachers/huck/section2.html

This unit is about the black female struggle to achieve happiness.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1997/3/97.03.01.x.html

This unit, designed primarily for the honors level American literature classroom, asks students to consider pairs of works of American literature by white/western European women writers and black/African-American women writers.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1999/1/99.01.01.x.html

Many resources for teachers and students

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/alcott.html

This unit presents students with a variety of literature by women authors who focus on some aspect of the African American family as it has survived its experience in the United States.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/guides/1999/1/99.01.10.x.html

This lesson concentrates on Anne Frank as a writer. After a look at Anne Frank the adolescent, and a consideration of how the experiences of growing up shaped her composition of the Diary, students explore some of the writing techniques Anne invented for herself and practice those techniques with material drawn from their own lives.

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=376

Combining the study of history and literature, the goal of these activities is to guide students in a self-directed exploration of how Cather's novel interprets and represents the values of fortitude, hard work, and faithfulness that we associate with pioneer life.

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=443

Just as she did with The Song of the Lark, teacher Susan Thurman has created a comprehensive Viewing Guide for The Ponder Heart. Not only does she provide activities and questions "into, through and beyond" the movie, she also provides teachers with a literary device glossary, vocabulary list and an extensive list of idioms used in the story. This densely packed unit of resources can serve as your focal point through which other lessons on the Web site can be woven.

http://www.ncteamericancollection.org/ph_online_guide.htm

Analyze the writing style of author Isabel Allende. Write a poem, short story or other piece of creative writing that reflects an historical event such as the Chilean Revolution or September 11, 2001.

http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/allende.html

Flannery O’Connor is one of the great American writers of the twentieth century.  In spite of challenging circumstances, O’Connor created a body of work that is quite impressive considering that she only lived to be thirty-nine.  The fiction of Flannery O’Connor examines human nature with a fierce moral vision, using an unconventional approach to explore concepts such as original sin and the presence of grace.  With vivid imagery, clever satire, and a twist of irony, O’Connor takes her readers to an often surreal world inhabited by prophets, criminals, fanatics, and good country people.  Many of her characters have their most fundamental beliefs and assumptions shattered, often through violent encounters, which ultimately leads to transformation and even enlightenment.

http://www.andalusiafarm.org/LessonPlan_Intense.htm

Charlotte Perkins Gilman's story "The Yellow Wall-paper" was written during this time of great change. This lesson plan, the first part of a two-part lesson, helps to set the historical, social, cultural, and economic context of Gilman's story.

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=580