Decoding words in connected text can make emergent readers really feel like they are great readers. They work as a class to sound out simple cvc words located in super short sentences. Tip: Extend this activity by having a variety of...

Group members select a word from The Catcher in the Rye they would like the class to know more about. After identifying the context and determining the meaning of the word from the context, they present the word to the entire class,...

“Be glad that all things sort so well.” To make text-to-self connections to Shakespeare’s play, class members engage in a guided imagery exercise prior to reading Act IV, scene i of Much Ado About Nothing (the wedding of Claudio and...

One can't set goals until he knows what he needs to feel successful. Learners discuss what they believe it means to be successful. They then fill out a graphic organizer showing four different paths to a successful adult life. 

Feeling bored and unimpressed with word choice in your class? If so, consider this activity, which focuses on using specific and precise language. Pupils use highlighters, brainstorm independently and in small groups, and create a poster...

Young writers compose an opinion piece that details who they feel is worth more than gold.

Don't harbor any negative feelings toward negative numbers. Scholars learn about different classifications of rational numbers, including negative integers. They also develop definitions of the opposite and the absolute value of a...

Students identify the key participants in the Arab-Israeli conflict. They create a caricature that is both Israeli and Arab. One side should be labeled with the feelings, thoughts, emotions of the Arabs and the other side is from an...

Students discover that they have control over their lives and over which aspects of their lives they choose to concentrate on. They throw away their negative feeling in this activity

Fifth graders discuss feelings and depression and brainstorm ways to seek help. For this health lesson, the teacher leads a discussion about emotions focusing on when emotions are balanced and when they become unbalanced and a person can...

Students explore ways to notice when others are sad, happy, calm, or angry. They act out feelings and have others try to identify them. The listen to The Brand New Kid, focusing on plot, characterization, and illustrations. They create a...

Students discover how sense of touch helps us explore our world by feeling it and learning the size, texture and shape of things.

Fifth graders discuss the variety of feelings and emotions they may experience when someone or something dies. They identify emotions they have experienced and examine how experiencing a wide range of feelings is normal after the loss of...

Learners assess the difficult position and decision Lincoln had to make. They determine that there were many conflicting opinions at that time. They pretend they are at a dinner table together discussing the current events. They...

Students analyze the literary element mood in Chapter 10 of the novel Number the Stars. They explain why the literary element mood is a feeling that a story creates in readers. Students share their thoughts on the topic of mood and its...

Fifth graders evaluate how stress affects them. In this health lesson, the students create cans describing what stress feels like and then use marbles to show stressful feelings they have experienced. After listening to the book Getting...

Learners consider how an author creates a feeling of suspense in a reader's mind. They analyze characters in the story. Students make a character map for Peter. They discuss how suspense unfolds in the novel Number the Stars.

Students understand the importance of participating in recycling and clean-up efforts in the community. In this recycling lesson, students respond to questions after reading "The Wartville Wizard" by Don Madden. Students articulate...

Students listen to the song "Scarecrow" by Melissa Etheridge and draw what they think the song is about. They discover the song is about a man who was attacked. They again express their feelings about the song through drawing. Finally...

Students explore how to use a double bar graph by polling other students about their feelings and experiences with pets. They also have the opportunity to think about how pets affect their lives. Students poll their classmates to find...

Learners explore emotions represented in artwork.  In this cross curriculum social studies and art lesson, students explain examples of political and social issues expressed in artwork by Dorthea Lang, Diego Rivera, Dan Eldon, as...

Fourth graders read Letters from Rifka and discuss the feelings of people forced to leave their homes and countries.  In this migration instructional activity, 4th graders relate their feelings about moving from their home forever....

Students analyze the meaning and process of categorizing items, people and events as 'the best.' students then defend pieces of literature, images, and sounds that they feel most represent 'the best of the 20th century.'

Students create their own poems to express a deep feeling or transformative experience, then write imaginary letters to people in the article, responding to their poetry and sharing their own creative process.