Students read a chapter in a book.  In this character comparison instructional activity, students predict what will happen in chapter 5 of Sarah Plain and Tall, learn new vocabulary words, read and discuss chapter 5 and draw the...

Fifth graders write journal entries and a story based on the Mayflower era. They identify the roles of both the Pilgrims and Wampanoags in their writings.

Students read stories. In this culture activity, students read stories from different regions around the world. Students look for each region on the map and listen for interesting cultural details in the story. Students then discuss the...

Learners explore psychology by writing about themselves. In this personality lesson, students answer a list of questions that help analyze their own traits and history. Learners create a personal "All About Me" book which they share with...

Good endings are hard to find. And write. This, the final lesson plan in a six-part series devoted to study of the ingredients of a good story, focuses on crafting endings. Class members draft ideas about what should happen to each of...

Discuss and generate blogs in this technology lesson. Middle and high schoolers explore examples of blogs and create their own blogs. Use this lesson throughout the year to reinforce concepts from your language arts class (or any class)....

Young writers choose a person from American history, their community, or their family to use as the subject of a persuasive essay. The process begins with a discussion of the characteristics of a hero, the completion of a prewriting web,...

Take some time to focus on Christopher Columbus, his three ships, the purpose of his voyage, and the new land he discovered. Pay special attention to the included additional materials, they are the real value in this resource.

Students explore their personal strengths and characteristics and write a short description of themselves. Afterward, they create a dramatic self-portrait with an expression that identifies who they are. Students fill the areas around...

First graders, after generating a list of possible writing topics, begin the writing process and participate in peer-editing and publishing their own works.

Students explore descriptive words. In this writing lesson, students practice using descriptive words that show instead of tell. Students complete a worksheet that requires them to rewrite the sentences using more descriptive words. 

Learners are introduced to the concept of interconnectedness and make connections regarding conflict in their community, country, and the world. In this interconnectedness lesson plan, students define the word conflict and what that word...

Students explain how cells reproduce. In this biology lesson, students explain the different stages of the cell cycle. They calculate the number of new cells produced.

Learners discuss their knowledge of payday loans and credit cards. In this Economics lesson, students complete a read an article and Q&A activity in groups, and play a vocabulary bingo game and a quiz game on payday loans. Learners...

Sixth graders create a descriptive essay and map describing their island paradise. They try to evoke the reader's senses: seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. They revise their paragraphs using their partner's feedback.

Learners examine eclipses. In this eclipse lesson, students investigate solar and lunar eclipses. Learners complete a WebQuest and write a descriptive summary of eclipses. Lesson references a WebQuest, but does not include a link.

Third graders investigate nonviolent conflict resolution strategies. In this interpersonal communication lesson, 3rd graders explore conflict resolution. Students construct a newspaper/magazine article detailing nonviolent conflict...

Students use perspective observation sketches to understand verbal description. In this subjective writing lesson, students practice writing subjective conversations using the cartoon worksheets.

Students write a story. In this historical fiction lesson, students research how Thanksgiving began. Students write a fictional story where they are a main character of this time period.

Students write a metaphor. In this descriptive writing lesson, students define metaphor. Students come up with a creative metaphor to describe their feelings about fair practices related to music downloads.

Students write a one-page description of a postcard received from the teacher. After finishing, they tape postcards to the blackboard and number them. They read their descriptions, while other students guess which card the student is...

Third graders are given an opportunity to create a visual to accompany their presentations of their persuasive essays. They may use the computer or other media as resources.

Students write and create a pamphlet describing the occupation they are interested in. They use the steps of the writing process to present the facts about their occupation.

Students assess samples of writing for each trait and discuss the rationale for scoring. They understand that the traits of writing offer a common language for revision. This activity includes a scoring rubric for the students to use.