Save on research time and preparation with this list of top 10 “How to Teach” guides. Each guide compiles everything you need to introduce your students to fascinating new themes, key literary elements, related works, and much more.
#10 The Importance of Being Earnest
Great social commentary, witty wordplay, and awkward social interactions keep even the most reluctant readers laughing and turning the pages of Oscar Wilde’s classic play.
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#9 Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s surreal tale of a dystopian future is one of science fiction’s enduring classics—a must-have for every high school curriculum.
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#8 The House on Mango Street
Using poems and stories that lend themselves to classroom discussion, Sandra Cisneros presents important insights on themes such as the power of language, the importance of communication, and the struggle for self-definition.
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#7 Fences
August Wilson’s powerful play Fences examines historic racism in America and explores the universal themes of family, gender roles, and responsibility.
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#6 The Freedom Writers Diary
Erin Gruwell’s memoir chronicles the empowering journey of her “unteachable, at-risk” students, and it will prompt class discussion on violence and race in America.
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#5 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie’s first young adult novel is a compelling story of one teen’s struggle to find himself.
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#4 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Written as a series of letters, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the heart-wrenching story of Charlie’s freshman year in high school.
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#3 I Am Malala
The inspirational true story of Malala Yousafzai, a courageous student who defied the Taliban in pursuit of her right to an education, will resonate with any who have faced discrimination—and will help build empathy in anyone who reads about her experience.
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#2 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
This touching story about young friendship and the danger of complacency will give your students a fascinating new perspective on the horrors of the Holocaust.
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#1 The Handmaid’s Tale
Told from the perspective of one downtrodden handmaid whose sole purpose is to reproduce, Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel will spark intense classroom discussions and student responses.
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