US Institute of Peace
Defining Conflict
Conflict is everywhere—but is it avoidable? The first activity in a series of 15 peacebuilding lessons examines the nature of conflict at home, school, and across the world. Learners develop a definition of conflict through group work...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Are You Balanced?
Balance scales create a strong visual of how an individual prioritizes one's self alongside their commitments to the community, school, and home. Scholars complete a graphic organizer then discuss their findings with their peers. A...
US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Active Listening
Did I hear you right? You need a great lesson on active listening? Through large- and small-group activities, learners differentiate between poor and excellent listening skills. The resource, 7th in a series of 15, focuses on active...
Curated OER
Improving Your Writing
As a writer, how can you show your audience a certain character is showing a certain emotion? Use this worksheet to practice giving detailed descriptions of your characters and their feelings. Writers complete a chart that lists seven...
Curated OER
Dr. Seuss Science
Students read Bartholomew and the OObleck by Dr. Seuss and experiment with solids and liquids. In this science and reading instructional activity, students observe and discuss the properties of liquids and solids. Students...
Curated OER
Defining Respect
Students examine what respect is and isn't. In this character education lesson, students create a t-chart of what respect looks like and doesn't look like. The teacher adds the words bias, prejudice, stereotype and racism to the chart....
Orange County Department of Education
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Fifth graders read Dear Mr. Henshaw and identify the character trait of self-respect as exhibited by Leigh throughout the story. They evaluate the author's use of letters to tell the story and discuss how the story would be different if...
Curated OER
Trust Leans
Students define trust and what it means to be trustworthy. In this good character lesson, students think of a person they trust and discuss what makes them trustworthy. Students pair up and complete trust leans. Students discuss the...
Shoop English
Literature Terms Activity
Designed to be used with an independent reading book, this activity provides practice with identifying and explaining literary terms. While they read, individuals find instances of literary devices and elements in use in their books....
Curated OER
The Giver Chapter 16
For this chapter 16 of The Giver worksheet, learners complete a chart, filling in the emotional reactions of and changes the main character undergoes during particular scenes of the story.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Analyzing Literary Elements in Literary Nonfiction
Fourth graders identify the literary elements of a nonfiction text. In this literary elements lesson plan, 4th graders read the text Piano Starts Here--The Young Art Tatum and fill in a chart that includes the events from the book....
Curated OER
Meet Danitra Brown Lesson on Friendship
Learners discover the qualities of friends. In this character education lesson, students read the poem "Coke-bottle Brown" by Nikki Grimes. Learners then discuss the Golden Rule and how it applies to friendships.
Curated OER
What Really Happened?
Sixth graders recreate scenes from the theories about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. In this history and theatre lesson plan, 6th graders review the story of Earhart using a flip chart. Students work on one act plays to depict one...
Curated OER
Create An Ending
Students create a new ending for a familiar story that stand alone with a clear beginning, middle and end. As a class, students review a familiar text focusing on plot and character development. In small groups, students work...
Curated OER
Developing A Balanced Lifestyle
Pupils engage in a study of the character trait of peace and how it is useful to becoming part of a lifestyle. The lesson asks students to read a story that illustrates the concept that is followed by targeted questions to be answered.
Curated OER
Words Can Hurt: King Day
Learners explore stereotyping. In this moral and character development lesson, students share reactions to a T-chart displaying what boys can do and girls can not do. Martin Luther King's accomplishments are discussed, and learners...
Curated OER
When Randolph Turned Rotten
Students explore friendship by reading a book with their classmates. In this human relationship activity, students read the story When Randolph Turned Rotten, and discuss the main character's relationships as well as the overall arc of...
Curated OER
Presenting Your Case
Students research a famous person of their choice in this lesson. They research the person's life, feelings, and character through a series of written activities. They compile their research into a creative project called a character's...
Royal Conservatory of Music
The Anti-bullying Magazine
Get the word out about friendship, support, and a safe school community with a media literacy lesson about bullying. Young journalists investigate instances of bullying and take descriptive pictures as they compile a magazine to fight...
Curated OER
The Summer of the Swans
Are you planning on reading The Summer of the Swans with your learners? Then this packet of worksheets is for you! Students read the story in groups, and utilize this fine packet to help them keep on track, and to respond to what they...
Curated OER
Build Mastery: Visualization
What do you see? Young reader tap into the visualization process as they listen to or read a fiction story and fill out a graphic organizer. Model this first with a think-aloud, showing scholars how you visualize a familiar story. For...
Curated OER
Build Mastery: Making Inferences
Do your youngsters realize that they are constantly making inferences? Expose this inner process by bringing out the book they will be reading. Ask scholars what they think the plan is, and explain that their answers are the product of...
Curated OER
What Type of Caring?
Eighth graders examine how they care about others. For this caring lesson, 8th graders make a list of five things that they care about and place them on charts that are placed around the room. They classify them according to what type of...
Virginia Department of Education
Weather Patterns and Seasonal Changes
Get your class outside to observe their surroundings with a lesson highlighting weather patterns and seasonal changes. First, learners take a weather walk to survey how the weather affects animals, people, plants, and trees during...