Support your scholars with these anticipatory questions to go along with The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. The objective, rationale, and teacher instructions are clearly explained, followed by an anticipation guide for pages 81-93 and the...

Explore reciprocal questioning with this ReQuest comprehension strategy. After reading a passage, learners first question the teacher, trying to "stump" her. Then it is the teacher's turn to ask the pupils questions. All correct answers...

Students explore philosophy by participating in a philanthropic activity. In this book read-in lesson, students collect a group of used books and illustrate an image to go along with the story. Students donate these books to a shelter or...

Ease into informational text with the instructional activity suggested here. Part of a unit series, the instructional activity draws from previous lessons and acts as a natural moment to add in informational text. Class members read one...

Third graders explore language arts by analyzing a children's story in class. In this story structure lesson, 3rd graders read the book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and write a brief summary. Students identify the beginning,...

The Olympics are about more than sports—at times, the games are also a place of racism and prejudice! Pupils investigate the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. They analyze the meaning behind the materials included in the United States...

The best part about teaching little ones is setting up fun, thematic learning stations. Here is a full day of activities that all relate to the story, The Little Engine that Could. Included are six different activities that cover...

Explore children's literature by researching a book and it's author. Youngsters read the story The Mitten by Jan Brett and discuss the animals and characters mentioned in the story. Then, they practice retelling their favorite portion of...

Students read and discuss The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg and examine the illustrations, keep a "discrimination log," and write about one example of discrimination and how they could have intervened to stop it.

Students examine the time period of the Great Depression. Using primary source documents, they read excerpts of interviews done by author Studs Terkel for one of his books. They practice interviewing their partner in front of the class...

Second graders read a story about Little D, a baby dragon, and how he interacts with the five food groups. They color, chant, pantomime, and discuss food groups after reading the story. They also consider causes and effects as they make...

Students read and understand the importance of energy sources.  In this Renewable and nonrenewable lesson, students read an article to become familiar with the uses of energy.  Students read an article and answer questions...

Fourth graders use text clues to solve mysteries. In this text clue/mystery solving lesson, 4th graders access a teacher assigned web site, Cyberkids.com, where they solve a mystery. They read chapters of, Encyclopedia Brown, and work...

Students research cafeteria composting. In this composting lesson, students design a vessel that would allow the cafeteria staff to collect food scraps for composting. Then students build a prototype and present it to the class. Lastly...

Students investigate the tough economic times by discussing supply and demand.  In this economics lesson, students read a news article and identify specific examples of the oil crisis that has touched their lives.  Students...

Students explore poetry by completing a webquest in which they hear poets reading their own work. Later, they examine the dramatic impact of reading poetry out loud. Finally, they practice reading poetry aloud and performing.

Third graders choose one character from a book they have read recently. Using paper, they create a character map of the character along with a small drawing to show what they look like. To end the lesson, they share their character map...

Fifth graders are read a variety of Cinderella stories from around the world. In groups, they complete a comparison chart for each story and how it compares to the American version. To end the lesson, they participate in a fairy tale...

Second graders read books about rocks, observe rocks and locate a special rock to observe more closely. They complete a worksheet about the chosen rock and create an art project using rocks or pebbles.

Students are introduced to cash control systems including checking accounts, endorsing and writing checks. In groups, they define a bank statement and practice how to read them. To end the lesson, they discover how to create a petty...

Students draw a picture with only one color crayon. As a class, they discuss how the world would be different if there were only one color crayon to use. After being read a book, they discuss how each person is important even though...

What sunk the Sultana? Scholars become investigators to uncover the facts behind the 1865 sinking just after the end of the Civil War. Through group work, videos, and primary documents, they research and analyze why 1,800 men died....

Students distinguish between things that are living, things that were once-living, and things that are nonliving. They graph results and create a compare and contrast Venn Diagram. They read 'Living and Nonliving' by Angela Royston.

Fourth graders analyze how summer and winter storms are different. In this weather lesson plan, 4th graders construct a winter storm simulation box and a summer storm bottle and record the temperature and barometer readings. The...