K12 Reader
Rules of the Game
Prompt your young writers to explain the rules of a game and help them develop their skills of adding appropriate detail and explanation to their writing.
Curated OER
Narrative Writing
Binoculars are used as a metaphor for good descriptive writing. Class members first view a small picture and then an enlarged view of the same image in which the details come into focus. Next, learners examine a paragraph lacking sensory...
Poetry4kids
How to Write a Diamante Poem
A lesson begins with a description of a diamante poem and the rules to follow while writing one. Scholars examine the ins and outs of synonym and antonym diamantes, then compose an original poem using their newfound knowledge.
McGraw Hill
Phonics Teachers Resource Book
Looking to improve your classes literacy program? Then look no further. This comprehensive collection of resources includes worksheets and activities covering everything from r-controlled vowels and consonant digraphs, to the different...
CK-12 Foundation
Function Rules for Input-Output Tables: Whats My Rule?
What's the rule that makes it true? A virtual function machine generates output values as learners submit the input values. Their job is to analyze the inputs and outputs for a pattern and write a function rule.
Curated OER
Writing Strategies
Young writers complete a unit of activities to learn and use writing strategies. They will complete 8 activities to prewrite, use descriptive words, asking and telling sentences, and correct spelling within their writing. Then they watch...
Curated OER
The Rule of Law
High schoolers continue their exploration of the concept of rule of law. As a class, they discuss how Civil Rights leaders followed the rule of law in their protests. After reading various articles, they participate in a discussion and...
Curated OER
Introductions: Definition and Writing Tips
Using PowerShow.com, this presentation focuses on how to write basic introductions including four main points: create an opening sentence that sizzles, identify a clear, central idea, relate the topic's importance, and write a solid...
Curated OER
Show, Don't Tell: The First Rule of Writing
Model for young writers how to create pictures in the minds of readers with a series of slides that demonstrate how sensory appeals enliven writing. The presentation includes opportunities for viewers to practice showing writing.
Curated OER
The Heart of Your Paper: 11 Methods for Writing a Topic Sentence (or a Thesis Statement)
Help your young writers produce high-quality topic and thesis statements that go beyond basic wording and really illustrate complex ideas and critical thinking skills. From however and compound sentence statements to using rhetorical...
Curated OER
Scent-Inspired Composition
Our sense of smell has a wonderful way of bringing back memories. Unlock those memories with an olfactory-inspired writing prompt that challenges writers to tell a story about a specific smell and the memories it conjures.
Curated OER
A Creative Presentation
Bring writing to life with this lesson in which elementary and middle schoolers create a display of the imagery they identify in a series of Gary Paulsen books. They read the suggested materials, identify imagery and descriptive...
Curated OER
Father Knows Best, Write a Father's Day Letter
Students write a Father's Day letter. In this friendly letter writing lesson, students brainstorm a list of parent responsibilities, then write three specific ways their fathers care for them. Students share learning experiences they...
Curated OER
Write Your Own Riddles
Have your class write their own riddles using this resource. Learners read a riddle, figure out the answer, and then discuss the characteristics of this type of writing. It is a great way to have your class embark on their own...
Curated OER
Linking Writing to Creativity
In a GATE classroom, the key to producing creative writing is tapping into students' innate storytelling abilities.
CK-12 Foundation
Function Rules for Input-Output Tables: Soda Sugar Function Table
Examine the relationship between the input and output variables in a table of values. As learners build an input-output table using online manipulatives, they begin to identify patterns. They answer questions about these patterns and...
Pulitzer Center
Writing About the "Arab Spring"
An information-rich resource, this webpage will provide your class with all the information they need to explore a relevant real-world and little understood topic: the Middle East and the people's revolutions that shook it in the spring...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Unit 5: Geology
Over four weeks, fourth graders participate in a geology-themed unit. Scholars listen to informational texts, discuss readings, and complete word work and grammar lessons. Writing practice includes drafting an informational pamphlet, a...
Curated OER
Be Your Own Chief Editor
The value of this punctuation and grammar lesson is in the SMART board presentation, which takes pupils through the proofreading process. It would be a good way to introduce the idea of proofreading in your class before beginning a unit...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan 13: Going Deeper Mini-Lesson
November is NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month! If your class is participating (or simply doing a narrative writing unit), this peer review lesson is part of a larger unit which can be easily found online. Once your writers have...
Poetry4kids
How to Write a Cinquain Poem
A lesson challenges scholars to create a cinquain poem. Writers begin by choosing a topic and brainstorm details, then compose their original poem making sure to count syllables.
CK-12 Foundation
Function Rules for Input-Output Tables: Function Machine!
Watch as a function machine converts an input to an output. Learners determine the work applied by the function machine to write a function rule. Questions accompany the function machine animation to guide individuals to conclusions.
CK-12 Foundation
Function Rules for Input-Output Tables: Function Machine 2
Model function operations using a function machine. An interactive lesson has learners determine the patterns of a double function machine. They use the patterns to write functions and make connections between the inputs and outputs.
Curated OER
Expanding Journal Writing Entries For Beginning Writers
First graders through a variety of strategies assess how to write in journals openly and effectively. Those strategies include integration of technology, story telling, group and team work, performance-based assessment/rubrics, visual...