The "Big Book Project" provides special-needs learners with the opportunity to develop, write, and publish "Big Books" for Kindergarten-Grade 3 classrooms. Students also go to classrooms and read the book they wrote to the younger students.

Third graders read the book, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Using the internet, 3rd graders research weather conditions, plants, animals and foods from different countries. After sharing information, they discuss similarities and...

Students read a selection and identify the vocabulary words for the current week. Individually, they use the words to write in complete sentences and put the words into a database. They also practice their typing skills and must keep...

Learners research a given topic and organize information in order to write a report or make an oral presentation. They design and create a visual aid (poster, model, PowerPoint, etc) to help clarify the concepts of their...

Students engage in a writing assignment to produce a thirteenth century Italian Courtly Poem. They imitate the literary patterns of writing to produce a unique poem using a model for example. Students review the basic terminology for...

Students watch as the teacher explains how to use a storyboard to plan a PowerPoint presentation. They examine how to use clip art, background colors, and at least one transition before creating a PowerPoint presentation according to the...

Students are introduced to the Kid Pix software program and its templates. With a partner, they use the internet find a picture that starts with each letter of the alphabet. They practice saying and reading the words to their partner for...

Students listen as the teacher reads a story. Pictures are displayed as the teacher reads the story. Students jot down ideas for the story ending, and create an illustration to compliment their story. Student story endings and...

Eighth graders complete a six-week unit on character analysis for the play "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. They conduct research and write a report, participate in a book talk, and create a character analysis assignment to...

Ninth graders respond to films they have seen using literary, dramatic, and cinematic terms. They reevaluate their role as a moviegoer. Students analyze their favorite film in order to discover what good films have in common.

Students identify subtle messages advertisers send (often unintentionally) about age in the course of trying to sell products; to analyze the consequences, both positive and negative, those messages have on the American audience; to...

Students are read numerous examples of strong poetry. Individually, they brainstorm a list of interests or attributes about themselves and choose the most important one. They write a poem using the attribute and shares the poem with the...

Students examine the use of ghosts in shipping stories. As a class, they assign roles and they act them out in a play. They make it seem as if they are in danger on their voyage and work together to create a script. They ask questions...

Eighth graders create an informational card for a selected author. They read and analyze a book by their chosen author, conduct research about the author, and create an author card that includes a written critical response to the...

Students articulate what elements must be present in a successful, persuasive speech by composing a "presentation plan." They explain what they know about speech delivery in preparation for the presentation of their final projects.

Learners synthesize the information they have been researching on water quality to evaluate the potential health risks in a region with arsenic contamination. They prepare and present a persuasive speech that incorporates visuals.

Ninth graders reflect back on a favorite place they knew as a child. Using Inspiration software, 9th graders write phrases that remind them of their favorite place. Students simulate being a reporter and interview other classmates...

Third graders discuss healthy eating choices. They explore the components of a balanced diet and the importance of a balanced diet to growth and wellness. Students discuss the types of nutrients in fruits and vegetables that are...

Ninth graders work together to develop a sysnopis on the Earth. Using the Internet and print sources, they focus on one country to research and determine its condition. They offer possible solutions to the problem and share their...

Young scholars explore why clean water is essential. In this environmental instructional activity, students identify the "powers" we need to improve the quality of water. Young scholars share their descriptions of world-water superheroes.

Students create a Student Safety Committee. In this lesson for science lab activities, students discuss the communication skills required to help each other in the science lab. Students analyze their classmates' response to a...

Fifth graders research soil, its nutrients, and plant growth. In this soil lesson, 5th graders create soil journals, trace flowers, and include nutrient information on each petal. Students read an excerpt from "McBroom Tells the Truth."...

Students discover idioms. In this inferencing lesson, students identify idioms from passages and infer meanings of unknown idioms using prior knowledge and experience.  Students write sentences using newly learned idioms. 

Fifth graders practice expressing themselves through writing. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders study the parts of speech and apply to writing sentences.