UTSA Institute of Texas Cultures
Teaching Through Kamishibai and The Art of Chinese Calligraphy
Young learners discover kamishibai, a popular Japanese storytelling art, and explore how these Japanese folktales illustrate the country's cultural themes and values through discussion and storyboarding.
Playbooks
Reader's Theater Exercise: The Night Before Christmas
Yes, Virginia, there really is a reader's theater script for "The Night Before Christmas." The exercise is a great way to productively channel pre-holiday energy.
Playbooks
Reader's Theater Exercise
Here's a great idea for your Parent/Family Night—host a Reader's Theater! Everything you need to organize the night, as well as a K-3 and a 4-7 script, is provided in the packet.
Curriculum Corner
ELA Common Core Checklists for K-6
In the hustle and bustle of life in the classroom, it's easy for teachers to lose track of the standards they have taught, and those that still need to be addressed. This Common Core checklist provides educators with an easy-to-use...
Curated OER
Henry's Freedom Box
Students explore the Civil War by reading a children's book in class. In this underground railroad instructional activity, students read the story Henry's Freedom Box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. Students create their...
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The Apple Pie Tree
Students read The Apple Pie Tree and discuss the story and talk about what was living in the tree. For this life comprehension lesson, students write the main idea of the book in a few sentences.
Curated OER
Missing Toy Writing Activity
Students listen to Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems. In this listening and writing instructional activity, students listen to the story and create a poster for their favorite toy if it were to go missing. They work...
Curated OER
Clara Caterpillar
Students read the story Clara Caterpillar about the changes of a caterpillar and make butterflies. In this reading lesson plan, students make the butterflies out of colored coffee filters.
Curated OER
Can We Switch Genders of Story Characters?
Learners read and review the main elements of a story. In this language arts lesson, students predict what the story read to them would have been like if the genders of the characters had been different. Learners write a new...
Curated OER
The Dragon's Tail
Second graders read a story about Little D, a baby dragon, and how he interacts with the five food groups. They color, chant, pantomime, and discuss food groups after reading the story. They also consider causes and effects as they make...
Curated OER
"Angel Child, Dragon Child"
Students read and analyze the book "Angel Child, Dragon Child" by Michele Maria Surat. They chart the main story elements on a graphic organizer, and write three sentences about themselves and draw a self-portrait. Students then create...
Curated OER
The Missing Word
Students, after reading a short story, predict possible missing words by utilizing context clues and graphophonic clues. A picture book with several words covered up sets the scene for this lesson. They share their predictions in groups...
Curated OER
More Than Anything Else
Second graders investigate the life of Booker T. Washington by reading a biography. For this biographical lesson, 2nd graders read the story More Than Anything Else, and examine the geographical locations Washington once resided...
Curated OER
Readers Theatre: The Three Snow Bears
Students dramatize the story, Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett. In this readers theatre lesson plan, students read the story and then dramatize the events during readers theatre. There is an included script.
Curated OER
The Adventures of Mr. Toss
Young scholars practice with the underhand toss in a fun culminating activity. First, 4-5 students make a circle. All circles should be close enough to the instructor to easily hear the story. Explain that each group be given an object...
Curated OER
5 W Questions
Second graders practice asking the 5 W questions by reading a Boxcar Children book. In this journalism lesson, 2nd graders read a single story from the Boxcar Children series and answer the 5 W's about each specific chapter....
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I've Felt the Same Way
Students recognize various differences between their lives and the lives of
people living in the 19th century Chicago area. They hear stories from people living in four different historical time periods and match the stories
to their...
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Similes
Second graders explore similes. In this figurative language lesson, 2nd graders read the book Quick As A Cricket and choose a simile to illustrate.
Curated OER
The Gingerbread Person
Students discuss gender bias and stereotyping. In this social science lesson, students read the book "The Gingerbread Boy" and discuss why it is a boy. Students then write their own story changing it to a gingerbread girl and a female fox.
Curated OER
A Teeth Changing Experience
Students research human health by reading an educational story in class. In this oral health lesson, students identify the importance of brushing their teeth and consuming calcium. Students read the book A Teeth Changing Experience...
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Plot Mobiles
Students read folktales and identify the plot of the story by making a mobile. In this inventive and colorful lesson, students listen to a variety of famous folktales, and practice identifying the plot. Then, they work together to create...
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The Only Boy in the Ballet Class
Students discuss kindness and how to treat others. In this kindness lesson plan, students listen to the story The Only Boy in the Ballet Class by Denise Gruska. The teacher draws the main character and every time that he receives a put...
Curated OER
Right to Equal Opportunity
Students investigate the concept of equal opportunity in school. In this equal opportunity lesson, students participate in a discussion about the fairness of certain situations in school. They listen to a story entitled, "Left Out",...
Curated OER
How Grandmother Spider Stole the Sun
Students explore U.S. history by reading a Native American tale in class. In this cultural storytelling lesson, students read the story How Grandmother Spider Stole the Sun and discuss the characters and themes of the Native American...