How do writers develop a central idea in a text? How can readers identify this central idea? These are the challenges class members tackle as they continue their analysis of "Letter One" from Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet.

Build trust—literally—with a lesson that sparks reflection, grand conversation, and creativity. Scholars construct a trust tower out of blocks showcasing a picture that represents a good deed they have done to gain trust from their...

Scholars become experts on the eight major impacts of climate change through a jigsaw and grand conversation. They then research and present what they learned about effects specific to their region.    

Scholars independently explore several websites to calculate their ecological footprint. Using their new found knowledge, they answer six short-answer questions and take part in a grand conversation with their peers about how...

How does additional daylight hours affect people and nature? With the help from the legend Maui and the Sun and a grand conversation, scholars complete a graphic organizer to distinguish between the positive and...

Hopefully by the time high schoolers are enrolled in your chemistry class, they are skilled with unit conversion. It does not hurt, however, to take an hour early in the school year to review this vital skill. This plan simply provides a...

Students role-play telephone conversations. They view a video of a telephone conversation and discuss the vocabulary used during the conversation. They practice conversations and substitute responses.

Students practice their conversation and writing skills as they strengthen their ability to talk and write about the past. In this ESL activity, students narrate a series of past events using past simple verb forms.  Students then...

Students role-play meeting and greeting an old friend at a class reunion. They review vocabulary needed to greet a friend and ask about how they are doing. Each student plays the role of of a high-school graduate with a different career...

In this Christmas conversation activity, students read and discuss fourteen key questions regarding Christmas and past Christmas celebrations. The conversation starters could also be used as writing prompts.

In this ESL conversation worksheet, students complete some or all of the exercises on three pages that pertain to cultural differences in meeting and greeting others.

For this ESL conversation worksheet, students collaborate with classmates to ask each other 15 questions. Students answer using either "may" or "might."

In this ESL conversation worksheet, students read 8 questions to classmates and record their answers. Example: Have you got a dog?

In this ESL conversation worksheet, students collaborate with classmates in interviewing each other to ask the 9 questions on this page. Students record the answers, which have to do with daily routines.

For this ESL conversation worksheet, students work in pairs to get to know each other by first writing the answers to 6 questions. Students discuss the answers to these personal information questions.

Students discuss movies currently playing in theaters. In this class discussion, students practice their oral dictation, retelling of information and the ability to carry a social conversation. Students also complete a worksheet...

Is bigger really better? By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to apply formulas for computing the diameter of tires and wheel assemblies. Begin by showing a slide presentation that will review definitions for radius and...

Which rate is greater and by how much? Pupils continue to compare rates to solve problems in the 20th portion of a 29-part series. Rates are presented in a variety of representations either using the same representation or different...

Improve your pupils' language skills with these discussions and activities. There are four topics included here, and each is paired with discussion prompts (small group and whole class), student handouts, and teacher notes. After...

What kid doesn't love talking on the phone? Learners with visual and intellectual disabilities get comfortable using several types of telephones. They begin by examining the phone, dialing, answering the phone, and then they work into...

Learners identify their beliefs and values and compare how these values relate to those of their community. They then determine how their values affect the roles they play in different situations. A quiz about values and beliefs...

The fourth standard for reading literature in the Common Core calls for young readers to be able to determine the figurative and connotative meanings of words and phrases. Use this resource, a continuation of a series of Common Core...

A nine-lesson unit introduces learners to strategies they need to develop healthy peer relationships. The scripted lessons focus on the etiquette of two-way conversations, sharing and turn-taking, good sportsmanship, and the...

When van Leeuwenhoek saw cells and single-celled organisms for the first time, he knew these small things were a big deal! Share his discoveries with young learners through a narrated video, model-building activity, and scale study....