Curated OER
Women in History: Research for Expository Writing
After reading an excerpt from Amelia Earhart's autobiography, The Fun of It, learners explore various nonfiction resources about her life and write a short newspaper article on a specific event. They then develop a longer piece of...
Curated OER
Beginning Your Journal
Middle schoolers develop a deeper awareness of the use of journals and gather inspiration to begin their journal from their graphic time lines. They explore, ponder, test and illustrate self-expression through daily journal writing. Each...
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Building Believable Characters
Students use descriptive strategies such as physical descriptions, background, and comparison of characters when writing narratives. They develop the topic with supporting details and precise diction to paint a visual image in the...
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Identifying and Using Parallelism and Balance in Literature
Analyze the use of balanced sentences and parallelism in a narrative. Included in this resource is a narrative about serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan titled, "The Train Ride Home". Middle and high schoolers review...
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How Cultures Differ "Two Different Perspectives on the Same Event
Students read excerpts from Peter Hessler's River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze and discuss his difficulties in learning the language, cultural clashes and how cultural perceptions shape our understanding of the world.
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The Cutting Edge
Young writers examine the writings of Raymond Carver to investigate editing skills. They will develop original sentences. Then read the work of Raymond Carver to edit and analyze the ending. They revise and ending of their original...
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Analysis of the Tuck Everlasting and The Birchbark House Text Exemplars
Looking to introduce some text-based questions into your ELA lessons? Practice the kinds of skills the Common Core demands with the seven text-based questions and the essay prompt provided here. Designed to be a three-day lesson, day one...
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Confronting Two Challenges--One Physical, One Intellectual
Students examine the challenges of a new language and culture. In this cultural lesson, student read Running by Peter Hessler and discuss obstacles faced, including the language barrier. Students write an essay about a time they...
Curated OER
Tall Tales Today
Students explore the attributes of American tall tales. In this folklore instructional activity, students read several tall tales, describe the elements of tall tales, and then use hyperbole to write their own tall tales.
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Dalai Lama: Day 2 of 5
Sixth graders explore philosophy by researching the Dalai Lama. In this Tibetan history lesson, 6th graders discuss the influence of Buddhism on the Dalai Lama and the unique view on life a Buddhist must have. Students read a Tibetan...
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Character Analysis Lessons
Graphic organizers can be a great tool to help students understand character analysis.
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Literature Response Lesson Plans
Literature responses are a meaningful way to strengthen student comprehension.
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Recalling History by Pulling Strings
Learners investigate the role and nature of story-telling as it preserves history and culture and discuss how puppetry serves as an effective method of presentation. They create basic outlines for puppet shows that relay important...
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Bibliotherapy - Prejudice
Students read and answer questions based on One Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. In this tolerance lesson, students record their feelings and reflections during discussion of the book. Students create a dress using their own ideas.
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Launching Writer's Workshop
Writer's Workshop can be a great way to create a community of writers.
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Beginning with Bosch
Students explore surrealism through the artwork of Hieronymus Bosch. In this surrealism lesson, students understand the characteristics of the art of Bosch and create an original artwork and poem to go with it.
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Lessons Using the Science Fiction Genre
Students can practice "The Lost Art of Imagination" when they delve into the science fiction genre.
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The World in 22 Minutes: Constructing a TV News Lineup
Young scholars examine several newspapers to compare front pages, headlines, and photographs, experience role of news editor, define and discuss factors that go into news judgements, and arrange twenty-two minute news broadcast by...
Curated OER
Words In the News Anne Bancroft Dies
Middle schoolers complete vocabulary building and word work exercises prior to reading an online article. They complete worksheets and an online quiz. They examine the use of homophones. They compare articles about famous people and...
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Idioms Lesson Plan
Sixth graders discover idioms. In this idioms lesson, 6th graders evaluate idioms and discover their meaning. Students read Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein and create unique idioms. Assessment rubric is provided.
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Connecticut Folklore: Fact or Fiction
Sixth graders read legends to learn the history of Connecticut in a fun informative way.
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Confucius: Words of Wisdom
Students view a documentary on Confucius. He is revered as one of the greatest teachers in history. Confucius' name is synonymous with ageless wisdom. After viewing, students discuss what they saw then complete writing and art activities...
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Words in the News Dutch EU vote - 01 June 2005
Students complete word work and vocabulary building based on news article about the Dutch EU vote in 2005.
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Words in the News Japan Textbook Back in Spotlight
Students participate in vocabulary and word work activities before reading an online article. They concentrate on verb tenses and re-write a portion of their personal, school or country history that includes false information.