Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview
Students complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...
Curated OER
Reading Clinic: Use Predictions to Help Kids Think Deeply About Books
Students learn to use prediction to think more deeply about literature. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students chart predictions in order to more fully understand text.
Curated OER
China: Culture and Young Adult literature
Eighth graders are introduced to Chinese language and culture to make Asian reading selections in literature circles more meaningful. They write about Chinese characters, work on oral speaking, and read Asian books and then have...
Curated OER
Art Mystery
Pupils explore famous artists in order to write mystery stories incorporating their life and works. They write their own based on their research of a particular artist.
Curated OER
Discussion Director
In this discussion activity worksheet, students read the descriptions of several individual roles for book discussion groups. Students then complete specific activities based on the role they take.
Curated OER
I've Never Tried That - Present Perfect Tense
Students choose three items from a list and discuss the cultural importance of each one. They complete a chart, research information, create a presentation and share it with their peers. Students choose activities to in which to...
Curated OER
Children's Literature
A short, eight-slide show inspires viewers to read to preschoolers. The benefits of reading to children are listed, including the four areas of development affected. Tips for choosing quality literature for this age group are also...
Curated OER
The Chosen: Writing Strategy
Pondering Rembrandt’s portraits provide readers of The Chosen an opportunity to “listen to [the] silence and learn from it,” as they consider Reb Saunders from a different perspective. After examining several paintings, viewers write...
Curated OER
Examining Paragraphs for Errors: Spelling
Learners review a job advertisement to find the error and then select which kind of mistake it is from a multiple choice list. To extend, have them correct the error. Note: It is a spelling mistake. Advertisement is written in British...
Curated OER
Famous Authors Vocabulary Quiz
Audience, novel, plot, style. Young readers are asked to match words associated with literature to the provided definitions. Might be fun to use as part of a literature review contest.
Curated OER
Famous Authors Find the Definition Worksheet
Consider using this activity as a group work exercise early in a novel study unit. Learners must identify the meaning of words associated with narrative literature. An answer key is provided.
Scholastic
Abraham Lincoln: A Time Line Research Project
Though Abraham Lincoln's life was tragically cut short, it was filled with accomplishments and inspiring moments that continue to influence American democracy. Explore the ways the 16th president of the United States made his way from a...
Curated OER
Be the Poet
Students work through a Haiku Organizer to determine the characteristics they use to write eight haiku poems on a theme that they choose. They design presentation folders of their completed work.
Curated OER
What's Missing? Making Room for Multiple Perspectives
Learners identify missing characters from a text, particularly a school text. They increase critical thinking by supplying missing perspectives in a text an build empathy through surveying different points of view. They reflect on the...
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Understanding the Complexities of Setting with Where the Lilies Bloom
After reading Where the Lilies Bloom and researching the wildflowers and herbs mentioned in the novel, class members create a mural that reflects the setting of the novel. Groups design the background, the houses of the characters, the...
Scholastic
Reading Symbols
Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass serves as the anchor text for a lesson on symbolism. Readers use the provided worksheets to examine the symbols in the novel as well as in the world around them.
Curated OER
The Iliad
Explore ancient warfare through a dramatic reading of select portions of The Iliad with your class. They will identify the major characters in The Iliad and explain the strategies, external forces, and alliances of the Trojan War
Curated OER
Biography
Transform a written biography into a video biography! Introduce your learners to the biography format by reading them a few examples (some suggestions are included). Then discuss the factors that make a good biography. What information...
Curated OER
En Busqueda de un Artista
Students work in groups to research a Spanish-speaking artist. They access print and online resources and interact within their group in Spanish. Students prepare a slideshow for the class and present the show in the target language.
Curated OER
Comprehension Questions: "Papa's Parrot"
Readers demonstrate comprehension and reflect on their reading of Cynthia Rylant's short story "Papa's Parrot." They recall, infer, analyze, speculate, synthesize, and make judgments about the content of the text.
Curated OER
"Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" by Rod Serling
These questions ask learners to think about the text "Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" in a variety of ways. In addition to practicing reading comprehension, class members work on interpreting, making inferences and connections,...
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"Reflections" by Janet Chuang
Five questions go along with your reading of "Reflections" by Janet Chuang. The story is not included, but these questions encourage thoughtful reflection on the plot and literary devices used.
Curated OER
"A Boy and a Man" from Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman
A great resource for chapter 2 of Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman, this instructional activity asks learners to respond to a series of lower- and higher-level questions using complete sentences following a class discussion....
Curated OER
Literature Circles
Students complete the reading of an age appropriate piece of literature. They think critically about their reading and discuss it with a group of peers. Students make connections among their reading, their own lives, and the discussions...