Curated OER
"The Westing Game" Activities and Lesson Plans
You can use a novel, such as "The Westing Game", to teach reading concepts and skills in a way that keeps students interested.
Curated OER
Science Center Ideas for Students Who Finish Work Early
A science center can be a great way to extend the learning of students who finish their work early.
Curated OER
Dinosaurs-Eoraptor
Learners explore the Eoraptor. In this dinosaurs lesson, students read facts about the habitat and eating habits of the Eoraptor and illustrate a picture of the dinosaur.
Curated OER
Awesome Audio Book
Learners choose a written piece and present it aloud in a student-made recording. They analyze how sounds are used to elicit emotion.
Curated OER
A View of Yourself Through Famous Writers
Students research famous quotes and discover one that describes themselves. They consider topics such as family and hobbies that will help others understand them. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
Time Travel
Students investigate the concept of time travel and quantum physics. They complete a Webquest, read excerpts from the book, 'The Time Machine,' play an online time traveler game, and read and evaluate newspaper articles about time.
Curated OER
Zero The Hero, Trout The Lout
Students use a graphic organizer create a character sketch of Trout Walker from the novel Holes. Using the provided worksheet, students fill in the important character traits of Trout. Worksheet and answer key are provided with the...
Curated OER
Express Yourself
Students investigate the different types of sentences that are found in common usage including exclamatory, interrogative, declarative, and imperative. They examine samples of the different types of sentences and identify the name for each.
Curated OER
Measurement Mania
Second graders observe and demonstrate how to measure different objects. They listen to the book "Corduroy," and measure different aspects of a teddy bear, discuss how to measure using a variety of units of measurement, and complete a...
Curated OER
ABC Wide World of Animals
Fifth graders use the software Wide World of Animals. This lesson is incorporated into a science unit on animals. The unit focuses on classifying animals into kingdoms and identifying the characteristics of animals within the different...
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Fiction: Alphabetical Search
This website offers the full text for thousands of short stories, novels, drama, and more. This search allows you to search by clicking on the letter of the alphabet of the text you are looking for and then find a link to the full text....
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: W. Somerset Maugham
A complete multi-day lesson plan comparing a Maugham short story to one of the same name by Jeffrey Archer. Referenced to IRA/NCTE standards, it includes links to assessment sheets and handouts.
Other
Glimmer Train Press: Writing Guidelines
Glimmer Train accepts entries from both published and upcoming writers, although there is a separate category for new writers. Deadlines and additional information are given at this site. (It would be wise to click on the Short-Story...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Story, Identity, Unity
Delve into the art of storytelling in this self-guided unit. Multiple topics are covered such as literary genres, the 7 elements of fiction, figurative language, theme, characterization, etc. At the end of the unit, write your own flash...
University of Oregon
Pizzaz, Creative Writing & Storytelling: Creative Writing via Basket Stories
This PIZZAZ (People Interested in Zippy and ZAny Zcribbling) lesson plan will engage students in creative writing about items found in a basket. Examples of creative writing are provided. Examples of springboard ideas are included.
University of Oregon
Pizzaz, Creative Writing & Storytelling: Chain Stories
This PIZZAZ (People Interested in Zippy and ZAny Zcribbling) lesson plan will engage students in writing chain stories. A variation of the instructional activity is provided as an extension during the publishing phase of writing.
University of Maryland
Mary Shelley's Short Fiction
This index page links to the full text of four Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly short stories, including "The False Rhyme," "Ferdinando Eboli," "The Mourner," and "The Mortal Immortal."
Caro Clarke
Historical Fiction: Who Rules?
This is the fifteenth article in a series designed to help the new novel author. This article focuses on the genre of historical fiction and the role of the author. Is the author a researcher or a story-teller?
Caro Clarke
Writing Advice: Where to Start?
This writing tutorial focuses on helping the aspiring author find a good place to start on his or her fiction.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Fantasy and Science Fiction: Kurt Vonnegut
This lesson focuses on Kurt Vonnegut, a science fiction author who is famous for his quotes and satire. It features his short story "Harrison Bergeron," an after-reading quiz, and a writing assignment about it. It also provides the NPR:...
Other
Ink Pot: A Print Literary Journal
Ink Pot accepts short stories, poetry, and essays. Guidelines for submitting work, as well as samples of previously published entries, are readily available at this site. This site offers a great archive as well.
Other
Classic Books at American Literature: "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
A short synopsis of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" followed by the full text divided by Chapter selection. With links to other short stories by American writers.
Other
The Literary Link: Washington Irving: On Style and Purpose in Short Story
Two excerpts from Early American author Washingtom Irving about his preference for writing short works and why.
Other
Fiction Writing Tips: Creating a Vivid Setting
Some excellent guidelines to consider when evaluating your setting in a short story or novel. Discusses the importance of setting, some examples, as well as practical advice in setting your story. W.11-12.3d Sensory/precise lang narratives