Anchorage School District
Writing Effective Summaries
Drafting a strong first sentence for a summary is an important step. Writers can use the formula presented on this handout to get started. The resource lists three steps to put together a strong topic sentence, as well as tips and hints...
Curated OER
How to Write A+ Essays!
This instructional activity, which promises to improve the essays of your middle schoolers, contains a list of characteristics an essay should include. It breaks it down into the introduction, thesis statement, body, etc. There's also a...
Curated OER
BUS: Farming: It's A Fact (Ag)
Students create two different types of graphs from the information in the "Farm Facts" booklet (i.e., bar graph, pie chart, etc.). They calculate where your food dollars are spent (on and off farm).
Curated OER
Fact or Fiction?
In this fact or fiction worksheet, students answer short answer questions and write one fact and one fiction sentence for each. Students complete 5 questions.
Curated OER
Thesis Statements
At 32 slides, one would think this presentation on thesis statements is a bit too long, but it is the most important component of a well-written essay! Help your developing writers craft concise, interesting theses with this PowerPoint....
Aurora City School District
Do Not Try to Kid a Kidder: The Art of Persuasion
The power to convince others of your argument lies in your knowledge of rhetoric! A thorough packet covers the basics of persuasion, including logical appeals and fallacies, and applies strategies to letters to the editor,...
Curated OER
Thinking Out Loud
Students share opinions about whether a series of statements from the internet constitute facts or opinions. They read and analyze blogs published in on the web in order to understand the use of fact, opinion, and tone of voice when...
Curated OER
Lisa Leslie - Women's Basketball Star
Third graders read from their textbooks about Lisa Leslie, the famous American women's basketball star. They discuss the overall disparity of attention and salaries in women's sports compared to men's. They write facts and opinions...
Curated OER
Awesome Stories: Vincent van Gogh
Who was Vincent van Gogh? Most of the questions can be answered in two or three sentences; however, there is at least one essay prompt and one personal response question that require longer answers. Questions call for a good mix of...
Jackson Public Schools
Summer Reading Activities
Provide parents with the tools they need to bridge the summer learning gap with this collection of fun activities. Whether it's creating an alphabet poster with illustrations for each letter, playing a game of sight word concentration,...
Wyatt Bingham
Comparative Essay: Tips for Timed Writing
This site provides a guideline for writing a comparative essay for the AP World History Test. It also provides practice exercises and samples.
Achievement Strategies
CCSS Unpacked Learning Targets for Reading and Writing History/Social Studies
How do all the lessons and activities you have planned for your class align to Common Core State Standards? This can feel like a very daunting question. Help ease the process by referencing a template that not only lists and...
Curated OER
Writing American Diaries
Young scholars examine the concept of historical perspective in writing. They read the diary of Sally Wister, a young Patriot from Philadelphia during the Revolutionary Era. Additionally, they must include different points of view in...
Orlando Shakes
Twelfth Night: Study Guide
From lonely to luggage, it would be nearly impossible to have a modern-day conversation without using words that William Shakespeare coined. A Twelfth Night study guide introduces individuals to fun Shakespeare facts as they...
Curated OER
The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity
Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign.
Curated OER
The Vikings
Young scholars research and explore Viking culture, distinguishing between fact and fiction, and examine their contribution to our society.
Curated OER
Writing My Own Story
In this writing my own story learning exercise, 2nd graders follow ten fact and opinion writing prompts to write a simple story about themselves.
PBS
Does Art Imitate Life?
Write what you know, sound advice for any writer and something many famous authors are known to have done. Use these materials to explore how Shakespeare's life influenced his plays. This resource is packed with readings, video segments,...
Scholastic
Making Judgments Practice
Encourage young learners to identify persuasive writing techniques in a text with this resource, which includes two multiple-choice worksheets with advertisements for learners to analyze.
Curated OER
Opinion/Facts: letters to the editor and endorsement
In this opinion and facts worksheet, students write the opinion and facts of letters to the editor that are for and against a candidate running for office. Students also write the propaganda technique used and example of an endorsement...
Curated OER
Ace Inquirer
Students use game simulation software to increase their reading comprehension. They work in teams to determine whether statements are fact or opinion. They complete a Fact/Opinion Scavenger Hunt. They simulate that they are part of the...
Channel Islands Film
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Lesson Plan 3
Should researchers be able to excavate, examine, and remove Native American artifacts from historic sites? Should companies be permitted to build on sacred Native American land? After watching West of the West's documentary, The Lone...
Virginina Department of Education
Planning Persuasive Writing
A nice starting exercise that organizes a learner’s persuasive writing assignment by issue, claim, and hard and soft evidence. Definitions of the terms aforementioned are provided, as well as the worksheet needed by the class. The...
Curated OER
Is That a Fact, Harry?
Students use excerpts from books to determine whether sentences are fact, fiction, or opinion. They state reasons for their choices.