Engage your class in a series of activities, each related to the use or analysis of symbols used to convey patriotic or national concepts. They identify different national symbols and explain their meanings, discussing the importance of...

Wrap up the unit in one final design. Pairs use their knowledge of aviation to design new flying machines and record how their designs take into consideration the forces that act upon airplanes. The pupils determine whether their designs...

What will flying look like in the future? The 21st lesson in a 22-part unit on aviation reviews the major aspects of the lesson. Pupils brainstorm ideas of a future flying machine.

Batten down the hatches, there's a storm brewing. Young writers learn how to brainstorm ideas for a personal narrative in the second lesson of this writing series. Watch the video and follow along with the instructor as she explains her...

How do you choose a topic for an argumentative essay? Support your young writers through this vital first step in crafting an argumentative essay as they construct a list of possible topics, free write, and then work to choose the topic...

This video is sure to convince your class of the importance of including strong evidence to support a thesis statement! Young writers learn what type of information is needed to convince a reader, where to attain such information, and...

Do your learners really understand brainstorming? Here’s a presentation that covers the ground rules, procedures, and phases of this thought-provoking design tool.

Design your own video game, engineer accident-proof highways, or even develop a new phone app! The Engineering Design Model can be used with all ages and in all subject areas to create a product, system or service. The resource explains...

An introductory instructional activity shows learners how pervasive and influential advertising is in our culture; particularly, how teenagers are actively targeted by advertisers. As teenagers, your learners already have all the...

A series of activities help middle- and high-schoolers identify and explore gender stereotypes and how they can lead to violence and abuse. Use think-pair-share to activate whole class brainstorming about what it means to "be a man" and...

Let your writers take a break from formal writing and experiment with undirected freewriting. First they'll discuss the difference between directed and undirected freewriting. Then they'll put their knowledge to work and create some...

Take the classic "group-written story" and apply it to the computer. Instead of passing around a sheet of paper for learners to continue writing where another person left off, have individuals move from computer to computer, continuing...

Briefly start writers off right with directions on creating effective topic sentences and cohesive paragraphs. Some examples of topic sentences are given so that scholars can decipher their effectiveness. 

Who wants a hamburger? Scholarly thinkers examine jobs in the fast food industry. Small groups discuss the jobs available in a fast food restaurant, research one of the jobs and gather information about salary, educational needs, and...

First graders examine compound words and what they look like.  In this compound word instructional activity, 1st graders read the book, My Baseball Book, and compile a list of compound words from their reading. 

Use this brainstorming organizer to help writers organize their song ideas. Starting with the name of the song, they will use bubbles to brainstorm various elements of a song from lyrics to meaning.

Lead your learners through the different stages of the writing process. Show them this presentation as they work through a writing assignment, breaking it up over several days of work. You might also post this on a class website as a...

Students practice the skills of reflection and evaluation. In this reflection instructional activity, students are grouped together and asked to brainstorm what they have learned during a particular unit. Students decide what they want...

Start by clicking on the icon that says, "Download the Activity." The format is much easier to read and understand here! Then, encourage your class to write about some of their favorite things through a three-paragraph essay. Examples...

Are you planning to have a guest speaker talk to your class? Prepare in advance and help your class transform into an engaged and thoughtful audience. Before the visit, young writers work cooperatively to brainstorm what they want to...

Students explore the dynamics, the challenges, and the rewards of adjusting to a new culture through the reading of "Help! My Father is Coming" and "The Visit to Vijay's". In this social culture lesson, students carousel brainstorm about...

Do you have a class set PDAs? Seventh graders use the Note Pad function on their PDAs to brainstorm writing prompts. After three minutes of listing their favorite foods, class members use the Note Pad Eraser to reduce their list to the...

It's time to write! First, lead your emerging writers in a power writing activity. It takes six minutes and focuses on creative brainstorming. The class is given two words (duck and apple are suggested, but alter the words for different...

For this book review worksheet, students identify the main elements of the book they are currently reading. Students identify author, title, setting, conflict, and something unique about the book.