Curated OER
Gardens Throughout the World
Fourth graders study various aspects of gardens. In this garden lesson, 4th graders discover the location of famous gardens on a map. Students research historic gardens.
Curated OER
Diagramming Annabelle Lee
Eighth graders examine the parts of the Edgar Allan Poe poem, "Annabelle Lee." After listening to the poem, 8th graders utilize a study guide imbedded in this plan to help them diagram the poem. A great instructional activity on poetry!
Curated OER
Coming to America
Students read one book together about the immigrant experience. Teacher asks students to identify some of the themes around immigration contained in the book (example: prejudice).
Curated OER
Lesson 10: History of Illinois 1700's Dual Timeline
Pupils create a journal that includes historic events that occurred in Illinois in the 1700's that features entries on the same topics from different perspectives.
Curated OER
I've Got News For You!
Students explore their hometown newspaper for ideas. They create their own classroom newspaper.
Curated OER
Organizing Ideas
Eighth graders investigate varous writing skills as part of larger course of study. The lesson plan is essentially a rough guide for conducting a class for writing. The main focus of the plan is organizing ideas using various strategies...
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Patterns of Organization: Compare and Contrast
This learning module provides an explanation of the compare and contrast text structure. An explanation of the compare and contrast text structure is provided, and the compare and contrast text structure is demonstrated in a video...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Compare/contrast Life Cycle Texts
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will learn to compare and contrast texts about life cycles using a Venn diagram. Then, using the Venn diagram, students will write an expository paragraph including an introductory sentence,...
Grammarly
Grammarly Handbook: Comparison and Contrast
This Grammarly Handbook resource provides examples of paragraphs that are arranged by the comparison and contrast organizational structure.
Other
Mr. Kash's History Page: Comparing and Contrasting the North and South
Chart showing the differences between the North and the South in the United States in the mid-1800s. Students are asked to copy the information and to write a paragraph explaining the differences.
Other
Book Rags: Articles: How to Write a Compare/contrast Essay
Learn about two different ways to organize a compare and contrast essay and how each way looks in a paragraph breakdown.
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Patterns of Organization
This site discusses the topic of patterns of organization of paragraphs. Links with video content and further explanations about the following patterns of organization topics are provided: sequence, spatial, cause and effect; order of...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: What Is a Myth?
Learn about myths from around the world in this self-guided unit while also learning how to construct a compare and contrast essay. Included are characteristics of creation myths, videos about Chinese and Egyptian myths, and a step by...
Read Works
Read Works: Kids Weigh In
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read paragraphs and a chart about the weight of the backpacks students carry back and forth to school. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
ACT360 Media
Writing Den: Paragraphs
How do you write a paragraph? Use this site to learn more about the different parts of a paragraph.
Read Works
Read Works: Super Stats
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read a paragraph and a chart about the popularity of different types of Girl Scout cookies. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Text Structure Activities
Numerous links related to analyzing text structures are provided on this site. Lesson plans, PowerPoint slides, graphic organizers, rubrics, and quizzes related to text structures are also provided to support students while analyzing...
Other
Drew University: Resources for Writers Comparison Writing
Sections of this site include key features of the comparison essay, comparisons in daily life, formulating a thesis, preparing to write, and organizing a comparison essay. The site also includes a paragraph of caution when writing about...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Cats
In this video segment from Nature, learn about cats. Consider the possibility that the cat may become the number one choice for pet owners.
ACT360 Media
Writing Den
The WritingDEN includes feature articles with associated words, sentences, and paragraphs to aid in the writing process. Interactive features include pronunciation guides and content quizzes. The Tips-o-matic section offers grammar...
Other
Mo Dept. Of Ed.: Writing Essays (Expository) (Lesson)
Lesson plan designed for seventh graders. Students write expository essays that include details, facts, and examples. Includes prewriting handouts, some example paragraphs, some example prompts, and a scoring guide.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Organizing Your Paper
Two slideshows and a screencast on organizational patterns used when writing essays and speeches. The first is a 20-slide presentation explaining the seven most common organizational patterns used in writing: time sequence, spatial,...