K12 Reader
Relative Pronouns
Do your learners know what relative pronouns are? How about relative clauses? They can practice identifying both of these by completing this activity. There are 25 sentences here for pupils to work with.
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Character Scrapbook Teacher's Guide
Students analyze a book's characters and create a scrapbook to print and save. In this on line interactive characterization lesson plan, students identify character traits and gain a deeper understanding of a book's characters.
National First Ladies' Library
The Many Voices of Literature
Students discover the wealth of literature written by individuals not born in the United States. They discover the literature of individuals of multiple ethnicities born in the United States. Students compile a list of books they would...
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Write Your Own Screen Play
Students critique the transition of "Holes" from a novel to screenplay and consider how the details in a book are brought to life in a movie. They then choose a scene in a book and transform it into an original script after brainstorming...
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Buying the Writes
Students explore the connections between non-fiction and fiction best-seller lists and current events that are shaping readers' lives and choices.
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Getting Ready to Write
Students watch an online slideshow that shows Cornelia Funke's transition from an illustrator to a writer. They discuss her writing process from the way she gathers ideas to how and where she writes. Next, they work in groups to choose a...
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2002: The Year In Review
Students research and create a book highlighting significant events and trends throughout the world in the year 2002. Then, through creative writing, they respond to the events or trends themselves and how they affected our world.
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Media Literacy
Students evaluate the effectiveness of Internet book clubs, present their findings to the class, and design their own on-line book club (under the umbrella of a fictional television program) to encourage non-readers to read more.
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Radical Reads
Students recreate an "American Idol" contest in which they present their favorite books to their classmates using arguments for and excerpts from the books. Following the presentation, students will be polled and the least popular books...
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Categories Game: Ten Words
Young scholars, in groups, create lists of vocabulary words related to a particular subject. They are given points for each correctly spelled word that matches a list written by the teacher.
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Bound For Oregon
Learners find 20 words that are new to them. They write the definition and drawing or symbol to help them remember the meaning of the word. Students use the context of the word from the book to help figure out the meaning of the word.
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Past School Practices
Students research the history of a school system. In this school system lesson, students list the grade levels and subjects taught in their school and interview their teachers and administrators. Students collect past photographs of...
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Curiouser and Curiouser!
Students imagine that they are casting directors for a student story-turned-movie, and assess considerations for making the book's characters as accurate, interesting, and fun as they are in the original piece.
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Flow of Information
Students examine how information follows a linear path. They identify types of sources they need to consult and where it falls in the information flow, simulate the role of historians, and generate a list of sources for a topic.
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E-mail Abbreviations
Students identify an abbreviation or acronym for communication purposes. Students write various messages using each correctly. Students make a list of the most common abbreviation and acronyms used currently.
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Literary Wizardry
Students discuss what they already know about the Harry Potter series. After reading an article, they examine a critic's reaction to the latest book in the series. As a class, they brainstorm what parts of their school day could use...
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Catherine, Called Birdy: April and May
Students create an etiquette book for women of Medieval times. In this Catherine, Called Birdy instructional activity, students discuss the setting and work in small groups to list things expected of women in the 1200s. ...
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Verb Tenses
While offering a long list of questions involving verb conjugation, this activity would require teacher direction. Some of the instructions aren't clear. The 30 question review of verb usage would be a good review for middle school...
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Stargirl
Students create a manual for sixth graders entering middle school. In this Stargirl lesson, students read the story and discuss middle and high school issues found in the book. Students create a list of topics students need to...
National First Ladies' Library
Writing (and Rewriting!) History
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
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Word Wizard
In this word wizard activity, students add to the beginning or end of fifteen groups of words listed to make a new word or common phrase.
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The Family Tree
Students make a family tree. In this family instructional activity, students brainstorm what the word family means, interview their family members and grandparents, create a family tree, list their family's favorite foods and write an...
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English Literature Circle Discussion
Learners participate in literary circles to analyze characters, critique writing, discuss events, and story elements. For this literary circles lesson, students take responsibility for their learning as a member of the...
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The Call of the Wild
Students read The Call of the Wild, noting its theme of survival. They investigate the book's concepts with word webs, spider maps, or graphic organizers. They conduct a panel discussion on dogs and wolves. They write a letter to the...