Students explore fiction and nonfiction writing. They identify the elements of fiction in a short story and identify the criteria necessary in a nonfiction piece. Students distinguish the author's purpose in an expository text,...

Students explore the 5 themes of geography. In this cross curriculum literacy and geography lesson, students listen to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and make a list of the needs of the people in Chewandswallow....

Middle schoolers identify the major aspects of Olmec and Mayan civilzations, including economic, political, and religious. They list contributions of these civilizations. Students identify the Central American countries where the United...

Examine water as a scarce natural resource instead of taking it for granted. Middle schoolers identify the traits of potable water, and research local water sources to determine if they are impaired or not.

If you think Dr. Seuss has no place in a math classroom, then take a look at this resource. Based on the classic children's book Green Eggs and Ham, this sequence of activities engages children learning to model real-world contexts...

Learners discover the connection between geography and folklore in several African nations. In groups, they record information from maps of their assigned countries. Students observe the pictures in books and match the geographic...

Middle schoolers generate a list of 5-7 questions that they use to call a volunteer or service organization. They practice their phone calls with a partner.

Young scholars create poems about raptors. They discuss raptors and create three poems including at least two of the following: haiku, diamante, found, and acrostic. They create a classroom book of poems or conduct a poetry slam where...

Eighth graders complete a six-week unit on character analysis for the play "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. They conduct research and write a report, participate in a book talk, and create a character analysis assignment to...

Students sketch a landscape scene and paint that scene using unconventional "paintbrushes" including forks, knives, squirt bottles, cotton swabs, toothpicks, water containers, and mat board.

Students identify unique characteristics of different writing genres such as biography, folktales and mysteries. They create original piece of writing using the writing process and then post their original writing online. They think...

Young scholars observe the art of Henri Matisse and discuss the ideas and feelings his art brings about. For this Henri Matisse lesson plan, students look at many of his artistic paintings and discuss and write in a journal the point of...

Eighth graders describe their families, and find common elements with other students in regard to their families. They read the book, The Important Book, then create another page for the book.

Pupils research an Accelerated Reader author and write a two page report summarizing relevant information about the author. They include personal data, professional data, and at least one quote from someone who has read one of the...

Learners create their own plot-choice story after reading and discussing a commercially published plot-choice book.

Students participate in pre-reading activities, journal keeping, vocabulary lists and other reading comprehension boosters. These activities can be applied to many genres.

Students chose a book they are interested in. They are given specific instructions to complete a project. They are tested on the book's material.

Students identify narrative procedure. In this narrative procedure lesson, students analyze a recipe and visit the website www.ehow.com. Students discuss narrative procedures and answer questions. students make a list of the procedures...

Students consider the role of a critic by creating top ten lists for arts-related topics and participate in a simulated blog activity. They write newpaper articles to accompany their top ten lists and submit them for publication.

Young scholars write their own choose-a-plot book. They develop skills in creating plot structure and think through a logical line of story action. They invent characters with striking physical and psychological attributes.

Students examine websites about the fourth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

Young scholars use descriptive language to write riddles on their favorite seasonal subjects; they illustrate the "answers" to their riddles using the medium of their choice and compile both riddles and illustrations to create a book.

Students read books with younger children, incorporating context clues and vocabulary aids as reading strategies to help the younger children learn to read. They discuss the concept of community capital and how this activity relates.

Students examine web sites which explain how to write memoirs and include ideas for getting started. There are also some writing examples and lists of recommended studenT books that use this form of writing.