Here is a lesson which is "flexible," and can operate as an individual or whole class activity. After reading a book of their choosing, with the use of a semantic map, learners identify character traits. They infer how their feelings...

Connect to real-world experiences by having your primary learners create an award certificate based upon literal and inferential information from a story. They present the award to a character from a story and explain the criteria used....

Students explore the meaning of character and why positive character is important. They explain the difference between character and personality. Students determine the difference between right and wrong character. They explore the...

Students are read the story "Gingerbread Baby". They draw or download the characters and cut them out. They create character profiles for each character based on how they acted in the book. They act out a scene from the story as well.

After creating a list of great American leaders from the last century and researching their lives, pupils will brainstorm aspects of leadership and discuss what traits may be shared by all leaders.

Students analyze a piece of writing by creating diary entries based on a character.  In this reading comprehension lesson, students read an assigned book with their classmates and create a sketch of what they believe the main...

Students explore child psychology by reading a children's book in class. In this bullying lesson, students read the book Larger Than Life Lara and discuss the characters and how they treat each other. Students answer study questions...

Ninth graders explore the definition of integrity through a class discussion. They provide positive/negative examples from the story and their own experiences. Students determine character traits by analyzing the dialogue in a short...

Students discuss the character trait of "courage of convictions" and apply this to their daily life. Using the internet, they research the life and work of Thomas McKean and discuss the courage needed to sign the Declaration of...

Students investigate language arts by analyzing a book with their classmates. In this children's literature instructional activity, students read the story Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant and discuss the setting and characters. Students...

Students utilize their reading comprehension by analyzing a book with their class. In this children's literature lesson, students read the story The Mitten by Jan Brett and discuss the imagery and characters in the story. Students create...

Students explore personal achievement by reading a children's book. In this story analysis lesson, students read the book Batter Up, by Sue Muller Hacking and discuss the main character in the story and the actions that she takes to meet...

Students respond to works of art. In this art interpretation lesson, students examine images of art while using concepts they learned as they read literary pieces. They detail the setting, characters, and the mood and theme of the works...

Students practice their writing skills by creating a character sketch of themselves. After viewing portraits, they select one personality trait and put their own picture into the painting of their choice. They include a conversation with...

This second lesson in a larger unit is perfect for the beginning of the year because it explicitly teaches 3rd graders how to use close reading skills by identifying unfamiliar words, figuring out the gist, and defining important...

For this ninth lesson plan in a larger beginning-of-the-year unit, close reading skills are used independently to find the gist of the story That Book Woman. Rereading for important details is the targeted skill to unlock a deeper...

Young scholars explore American history by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, young scholars research the famous inventor by reading assigned text and answering reading comprehension questions...

Students model traits on genes using colored paper and tongue depressors to represent chromosomes. In this heredity lesson plan, students use their "chromosome sticks" to understand chromosome pairs, genes, dominant traits, recessive...

Students review the concept of courage and relate it to their daily life. As a class, they are introduced to the events of December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Using a map, they locate Hawai'i and label the islands. They use the internet to...

Ninth graders summarize and paraphrase a short story read in class. They identify the six story elements of character, setting, plot, conflict, solution, and tone/mood. Students create a PowePoint presentation that illustrates the...

Sixth graders examine two-way classification systems using four mutually exclusive groups and two dimensions simultaneously. They then are given a set of plastic animals, asked to create a two-way classification system, then asked to...

Students discuss what it means to be responsible. As a class, they brainstorm a list of how they are responsible in their daily lives. In groups, they read the story of Liliuokalani and locate Hawai'i on a map. They discuss the...

Students review the concept of responsbility and relate it to the own lives. Using the internet, they research the search for gold on Superstition Mountain in Arizona and locate it on a map. They also examine the culture of Mexico and...

Students are introduced to the background behind Shakespeare's "As You Like It". In groups, they compare and contrast the family issues in the play with those in their own family. They also write the traits of each character and answer...