Analyze magazines as a class, looking carefully for the target audience, advertisements, and topics presented. Small groups then work as a publication team and receive a magazine that they have to "sell." Each individual has a different...

Two narrative excerpts tell the same story from different points of view. In the first excerpt (first person), sequencing words and phrases are bolded and learners write down what the bold type does. The second excerpt is in third...

Present third grade writers with clear learning objectives using this Common Core checklist. By phrasing each standard as I can statements, this document serves as an excellent resource for helping children further develop their writing...

First the class analyzes the painting, Rodeo-Pickup Man by Frank Mechau, then they get to work. They explore the painting through verbal descriptions, focusing on vivid language to describe detail. They then compose a written piece using...

The wood sculpture Nkisi Nkondi is said to have been used to aid in conflict resolution. Learners pretend they are journalists reporting on a conflict in which the figure was used to resolve an issue. A creative and interesting use of...

Students listen to Japanese folk songs to get inspired to create a writing piece about Japan.  In this writing lesson, students use primary and secondary sources to add information about Japan. 

Help your autistic learners to create a story and publish a book. They write simple stories, then turn their stories into books. A picture is drawn for each page of the book and the story is written below. Note: This is a good activity...

Teach comparative and superlative adjectives with this writing process practice worksheet. Young writers read five sentences and correct each one. In order to correct each sentence, learners must change the adjective to either a...

Improve writing skills by finding a personal writing style, using descriptive language effectively, and using precise language. Middle schoolers discuss individual style in writing and formal and informal language. They utilize figures...

As your writers become more comfortable with writing, they'll probably end up having a few redundant sentences. Before attacking paragraphs for redundancies, give them this learning exercise, focusing on repetitive words in sentences....

Are you tired of the exhaustive overuse of tiring words? Examine the three strategies young writers can apply to their writing to avoid redundancies. They practice using the tips as they respond to three short answer questions. Use this...

This presentation provides a series of activities that can be used as morning warm ups throughout the week, or as a writing review. Learners put words in ABC order, learn about alliteration, correct punctuation in a series of sentences,...

What are common transition words? Read the passage provided ("Dad's Night Off"), and then complete the page that follows. Readers identify transition words used in the text, and then they write a short story using transition words. 

Here is a unique and innovative game which will help your charges learn the important skill of proofreading and editing their own writing. The class is divided up into groups, and each group uses actual samples of writing from students...

First graders engage in this interesting lesson on letter writing and writing skills. In it, youngsters listen to the Jan Brett story, The Mitten, as a warm-up. They think of other animals of the world they could ask Jan Brett to include...

As a writer, if you have a weak introductory paragraph or thesis statement, you might lose your audience! Have your middle and high schoolers practice writing introductory paragraphs that include clear thesis statements in response to...

Are you working on a journalism or newspaper unit? Use this newspaper lesson plan to help middle and high schoolers locate journalistic questions, action verbs, main ideas, and important ideas of a newspaper article. They write an...

Editors discover how to use highlighters and sticky notes in the revision process and complete the process by conducting a self-assessment. Although this resource focuses on peer preview, the suggestions for teacher response are...

Use this writing skills learning exercise to work on persuasive writing techniques. Middle schoolers read a short persuasive selection about Star Wars, and then they identify the evidence the author uses to support his or her position....

ESL/ELL classes or total immersion in English? After reading a persuasive essay that argues for total immersion in English, class members analyze how the author addresses audience concerns. They then identify and address audience...

Should relationship skills be taught in schools? The author of this persuasive essay argues that public high schools should be required to teach marriage skills. After reading the essay, pupils analyze the argument, focusing particularly...

Evaluate sources with this activity. Learners read two pages full of journal entries and judge whether the information is reliable. they select details to help them determine whether they judge the information to be accurate.