Are you struggling to come up with high interest unit ideas for your English Language Arts students to complete in a short amount of time? Whether you have a few weeks left in the school year and are looking to go out with a bang or you have a summer session to plan, these ideas will give you the inspiration you need to build something your students will love.
Genre-Based Literature Circles
Choice reading is a great way to get students immediately invested. That’s why I highly recommend giving genre-based literature circles a try. Not only does this approach allow for a fun, creative outlet for students, but it also helps them develop skills in comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking. By focusing on different genres and encouraging discussion and exploration within those categories, students are able to broaden their understanding of literature and develop their own unique taste and style.
I have two genre-based literature circles done-for-you and ready to use today right in my shop. Click to check out Mystery and Historical Fiction. Check back- I’m planning to create more soon!
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down is a remarkable young adult novel that teachers should not hesitate to add to their curriculum. The novel tells the story of a teenage boy named Will who sets out to avenge his brother’s death by taking the elevator down to the lobby of his building and shooting the person who he believes responsible. Although the premise might sound straightforward, what sets the novel apart is how it is written in poetic verse, which makes reading it a true literary experience. Teaching Long Way Down to students will not only help them appreciate the power of poetry, but also give them a chance to discuss important themes such as gun violence, trauma, and the cycle of revenge. With its raw and gripping portrayal of a young man’s personal journey, Long Way Down is a book that can impact students long after they have turned its last page.
Click here to read about more of my engaging activity ideas for the novel or click here to grab the full unit bundle to use with your own students.
Book Carnival
Hosting a book carnival in your school or classroom is an exciting way to create a love for reading, leaving a lasting impact on students. As a teacher, it is essential to encourage reading beyond the required curriculum, and there is no better way to do this than to add authentic learning experiences. These events can include a range of activities that make reading fun, including hands-on activities, crafts, games, and and more.
A book carnival can transform a dull reading lesson into a stimulating, interactive learning experience that students can enjoy. It’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate books, authors, and the joy of reading, creating an environment where students can learn and grow their love for books.
By hosting a book carnival, you can introduce your students to books they might never have read before, ensuring they have a well-rounded experience.
For fun activity ideas for your own book carnival, click here.
If you’d like to turn your book carnival into a full-blown choice reading unit, click here to check out my pre-made activities.
True Crime
True crime is a fascinating and chilling genre that has captivated audiences for decades. It delves into the darkest depths of humanity and raises questions about the true nature of mankind. It’s the perfect subject matter for teachers to use in their classrooms because it can easily spark a sense of intrigue and curiosity in students. This type of curriculum encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy. It allows students to examine real-life scenarios and see the connection from the classroom to the real world. True crime is fascinating, engaging, and educational subject matter that has the potential to reinvigorate the classroom and inspire students to pursue further knowledge about the world they live in.
To see exactly how I’d plan a true crime unit, click here to read the full blog post.
For a set of true crime readings perfect to use in your classroom today, click here.
Haunted Places
Students love to read about spooky places, so why not build a unit around them? It doesn’t have to October to appreciate all things spooky! Summer is just as good of a time as any. Click here to see a list of my favorite spooky activities that could easily be combined to make a fun unit.
Which of these high interest unit ideas are you most excited to try? Sound off in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook.
Happy teaching!
