August House
When Turtle Grew Feathers
Friendship is a valuable part of growing up. Learn about the importance of friendship with a variety of activities based on When Turtle Grew Feathers by Tim Tingle. Kids practice making musical instruments, discussing plot points,...
Curated OER
"Zigzag"
Students listen to the book "Zigzag" by Robert D. San Souci, and examine the concepts of friendship, respect, and determination. They answer story comprehension questions, then create a fabric doll using the shapes from the book.
Curated OER
Friendship
Students examine social skills that are needed to be someone's friend. They are read a book about friendship and identify the characteristics they would want in a friend. They create a rainbow from their handprints.
Scholastic
Step-by-Step Strategies for Teaching Expository Writing
A carefully crafted, logically organized, 128-page packet is an excellent addition to your unit on expository writing.
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Puppet Scenes
Explore character, plot, and setting through dramatic puppet play. Second graders discuss basic story elements and then practice making a character with their sock puppets. After they've crafted a dynamic puppet, they pair up to create a...
Curated OER
Making Up
Is there a more important skill to learn at school then conflict resolution? It's never too soon to begin teaching youngsters how to work through the inevitable conflicts they will have during their school years. This resource combines...
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Definition Poems
“Hope is a tissue, wiping away your problems and fears.” Use a Definition Poem Web worksheet to model for your class how to craft a free verse poem based on an emotion. After brainstorming topics, groups use the sheet to make comparisons...
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Washoe Indians: Dat-so-la-lee
Learners study the life and crafts of Washoe Indian, Dat-so-la-lee. In this Washoe Indians lesson, students read and study the life of Washoe Indian basket weaver Dat-so-la-lee. Learners study images of her crafts and discuss the...
Curated OER
"Jessica" by Kevin Henkes
Students listed to the story Jessica by Kevin Henkes. They make their own imaginary friend using craft supplies. They then participate in an individual story theater in which they retell the story. Finally, they dictate stories about an...
Curated OER
Other Activities -- Rainbow Fish
Students are read "The Rainbow Fish" and discuss characteristics of being a good friend. They create their own fish to show the qualities they discussed. They receive one scale to add to the fish.
Curated OER
Literacy Lesson: Guided Reading
Here is a wonderful instructional activity designed for students with special needs. This well-thought-out instructional activity uses Big Books, familiar stories, and has a lot of review learning built into it. The book, The Keeping...
Curated OER
Personal Narrative Paragraphs: Class Quilt
Begin this activity by asking third graders to bring from home pieces of cloth that represent something important to them. (Have extras for students who need them.) They reflect on important events in their lives, compose narrative...
Curated OER
How to Write an Essay: Secondary ed.
Whether introducing the structure of expository essays or reviewing the format with your high schoolers, take the time to check out this resource. Examples of seven common forms of introductory paragraphs and six types of conclusions, as...
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Harriet The Spy
Fourth graders investigate the style of diary writing as its own genre of literature. They read Harriet The Spy in order to have a text for this literature study. Students use the skill of prediction to preview the story, and then...
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Valentine's Day
Young scholars create a flower, poem, and mailbox for someone to open on Valentine's Day. In this Valentine's Day lesson plan, students also write Valentine letters.
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Little Green
Students explore how to make the color green by mixing the two primary colors, blue and yellow.
Curated OER
Clifford Learns About the Circus and So Do We!
Students investigate the characteristics of different circus jobs and the animals commonly seen at the circus. They read a book about clowns and construct and perform a trick hot dog. Students also create a clown accordion book.
Curated OER
Congressional Scenarios
In this U.S. government worksheet, students read 12 scenarios pertaining to government intervention and determine what to do as lawmakers in response to each of the scenarios.