One of the unique things about the Neustadt and NSK literary prizes is our commitment to education. Below is our growing archive of teaching curricula focused on the works of recent Neustadt and NSK Prize winning authors. Educators are free to download these materials to use in their classrooms.
Ismail Kadare Curriculum

Lesson Objectives
• There are five lessons in this resource packet that draw on or connect to the writing of Ismail Kadare.
What is extremely clear and easy for readers in grades 9-12 to grasp is Kadare’s boundless curiosity, ceaseless imagination, and the optimism and faith he has in his reader.
• The lessons are aligned to meet the Oklahoma Standards for English Language Arts, grades 9-12.
Margarita Engle Curriculum

Lesson Objectives
• Pre- and post-reading activities introduce students to Margarita Engle’s writing and teach them about the form and function of poetry so that they can write their own poetry.
• The objectives for these lessons are as follows: (1) to be able to gain insight into life and the history of daily life in Cuba; (2) to be able to identity and celebrate the role that the form of poetry plays in Engle’s work; (3) to be able to appreciate the Cuban-American voice and experience; (4) to recognize the value of culturally responsive teaching and writing while celebrating one’s own unique, cultural voice.
Edwidge Danticat Curriculum

Lesson Objectives
• To be able to gain insight into daily life in Haiti.
• To be able to identity and celebrate hope in each story.
• To be able to write in response/reaction to the stories.
• To recognize the value of
culturally responsive teaching and writing while celebrating one’s own unique, cultural voice.
Marilyn Nelson Curriculum

Lesson Objectives
• An introduction to a “technical” aspect about poetry. One, or more, of Marilyn Nelson’s poems are included and are to be used as a model.
• Students are guided through a brainstorming or idea-generating exercise
• The end goal for each is to inspire students write, edit/revise and publish their pieces.
These lesson plans have been generously written and provided by educators at Colorado Academy, including Tom Thorpe, Betsey Coleman, Ali Kittle, and Stuart Mills.