Smithsonian Institution
Solomon G. Brown: Letter Writing
Personal correspondence in the form of letters is not as common as it once was. This resource presents an opportunity for you to introduce your class to letter writing and cover topics in social studies. Learners read a letter written in...
Curated OER
The Mail Race
Learners create friendly letters and surveys to other schools. In this letter writing lesson, students format friendly letters to other school and request a reply. Learners chart the replies on a map and share information from the...
Civil War Trust
Civil War Slang
Introduce a lesson on Civil War slang to your class of fresh fish. After looking at pictures from the Civil War and examining the list of slang terms, young historians write a letter to a family member as if they are a Union soldier or a...
Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Students acquire a pen pal in a foreign country and write letters at least twice a month throughout the year to exchange with them. At the end of the year, they write an essay that compares one important difference and one important...
Scholastic
Dear Miss Breed
This compelling plan based on the letters in the book Dear Miss Breed engages readers in learning what it was like for Japanese Americans following the attacks at Pearl Harbor. After reading the letters, young scholars will partake in...
Curated OER
Crystal Set & Letter Writing
Students comprehend the details necessary to create a complete set of directions. They compile their directions into a friendly letter format. Students and teachers are able to follow written directions to complete a task.
Curated OER
Civil War Slang
Students inquire about slang language used during the Civil War. In this writing lesson, students recieve a handout of slang words used by soldiers. Students view pictures of Civil War to get a visual idea of what it was like to be at...
Curated OER
In 'Other words' Writing Gently Humorous Essays About Stereotypes
Define and understand what stereotypes are by reading an article with stereotyping in it. Students will locate how it shows stereotyping and answer questions about the stereotypes. Finally, they will write their own pieces of original work.
Curated OER
Exploring Citizenship: Me, My Family and Friends
Students explore citizenship and identify their interests, families, and friends. They work in groups to discuss each others' interests, friendship, and ways to reach out to others. After discussing their neighborhoods and communities,...
Curated OER
Anonymous Card Delivery
Learners make cards as a form of good will. In this card making lesson, students brainstorm a list of people who would benefit from an anonymous card. Learners deliver the cards anonymously and observe the reaction of the recipients.
Curated OER
Traveling Community Journal Project
Learners create an online "community journal". In this communities instructional activity, students use a writing template to send e-mail to various people to learn more about their community. The journal is passed from person to person.
Curated OER
Life's Greatest Pleasures
Students explore the meaning of what makes life pleasurable. In this social awareness lesson plan, students read an article that states things that people might enjoy doing for pleasure, then complete numerous activities to reinforce...
Curated OER
A South African Storm
Students read "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard and participate in a class discussion that examines Howard's letter for both content and writing form. They write a letter using some of the techniques they identified in Howard's.
Curated OER
Taking a Stand on Bullying
Middle schoolers stand up against bullying in a character-building instructional activity. After discussing historical figures who became advocates in times of adversity, they brainstorm ways to end bullying at their own school, and use...
Curated OER
Canada - US: Approaches to Immigration
Sixth graders explore the Canadian immigration experience through comparison and contrast to American immigration and settlement patterns. In this immigration patterns lesson plan, 6th graders dialogue their opinions regarding...
Children's Commissioner for Wales
Special Mission — Our Rights
Introduce young learners to the list of children's rights as defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) with a series of activities that get class members thinking about what they need to grow up safely and happily.
Curated OER
A Multigenerational Pen Pal Program
Students discover the benefits of writing letters to multigenerational pen pals. In this pen pal instructional activity, students identify a need for communication among the generations. Students begin a pen pal program with the elders...
Curated OER
A South African Storm
Young scholars explore racial prejudice in South Africa through the reading of "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard. In this cultural and geography instructional activity, students discuss ethnicity and prejudices and cite examples...
Curated OER
Nahuatl Culture
Students read stories, look at maps, and write journal entries to learn about the language and artwork of Nahuatl culture. In this Nahuatl culture lesson plan, students research the Nahuatl culture and present their findings.
Curated OER
The Ancient World
Students explore the concept of migration. In this ancient civilizations activity, students watch "The Ancient World" and research life in the Fertile Crescent. Students then write letters from the perspective of people migrating from...
Curated OER
Mystery Pen Pal
Students investigate different cities and states in the USA, and practice their letter writing skills while corresponding with a pen pal.
Curated OER
Importance of Friendship
Students identify child psychology by completing a worksheet regarding friends. In this human relationship lesson, students discuss the characteristics that make a good friend and how to handle conflicts. Students answer study questions...
Curated OER
Exchange Students
Learners discuss as a class the items they value and why. They read an article about the popularity of cellphones in Iraq. In groups, they work together to create a guide to their culture to share with others visiting their classroom....
Curated OER
A South African Storm
Students read a letter titled "A South African Storm" on her experiences of discrimination in the country. Individually or as a class, they answer questions about the author's purpose in writing the piece was and how she made herself...