New York City Department of Education
Theater Units for Lower and Upper Elementary Levels
Introduce middle schoolers to playwriting and the elements of drama with a six-session storytelling unit that encourages kids to expand their acting and writing skills. The 12-page packet includes overviews of the lessons, assessment...
Curated OER
The Three Little Kittens
Students practice their performing arts by acting out a story in class. In this visual storytelling lesson, students read the story Three Little Kittens in class and discuss the actions of the story. Students read aloud the story again...
Curated OER
My Summer Vacation: Traveling
A classic lesson idea, kindergarteners share stories about their summer vacations on their first day of school! First, your young learners will listen to you talk about your summer vacation, making sure to use plenty of visual aids. Then...
Curated OER
Dancing Hands, Abstract Drawings
Students discover African musical rhythms by performing Ancestral Spirit Dances. In this musical instructional activity, students research Willis "Bing" Davis and the abstract work he created. Students listen to Yoruba drum music and...
Curated OER
Office Secretary
Students explore school secretaries. In this ELL vocabulary and language development lesson, students look at pictures of school secretaries performing various jobs and give oral descriptions of what they see. Students visit the school...
Curated OER
Chopping Sounds
With the swing of a paper ax, young learners demonstrate how to appropriately segment three-letter words. Consider breaking learners into small groups and having them share a paper ax to keep the peace. This plan is so creative, but be...
Curated OER
Learning with Technology and Literature
Students practice their reading comprehension by utilizing computers. In this education technology instructional activity, students utilize a drawing program such as Microsoft Paint to draw pictures based upon the story they read, The...