Duke Ellington, jazz, and jive kick-off a fun and creative lesson on responding emotionally to music. The class will learn about jive talk used in the 1920s and the life and music of Duke Ellington. They'll listen to a selection of his...

A study of Alfred Noyes's poem "The Highwayman" opens a lesson about narrative poetry. Scholars read the poem and compare it to the animated video version using a worksheet. Learners look at models and use a template to craft an "I Am"...

Explore the components of rhythm and form through a reading of Jean Marzollo's I Spy books. After discussing Marzollo’s format, the class agrees upon a theme for a class book and topics that fit with that theme. Pupils write a poem,...

Explain a natural phenomenon in an original myth. After researching the phenomenon they have chosen, young readers use factual information to include in their myth.  They find synonyms and new phrases to create vivid images as they...

What is a countable noun, and how can you identify one? Read through this sheet with your English language learners. Lots of helpful questions are included to help your class identify which nouns are countable and which are not. Then,...

Studnets utilize the web site "Little Explorers" to research the solar system. A solar system dictionary is created using the information gleaned from assorted book marked sites.

Students explore the definitions relevant to Karst topography. They develop a Bryant Watershed Dictionary of the special words and terms that are used to talk about the topography and hydrology of the area they live in.

Students play The Dictionary Game--also called Balderdash as a way to learn new vocabulary words.

Second graders role play as dentists researching teeth and their care. They create a slide show showing how a character, Bear, can take care of this teeth explaining habitats, diets and teeth.

Sixth graders use a school map to create a charted course and a corresponding written description of the directions for travel from class to class, beginning with an arrival location in the morning and ending with a departure location in...

Young scholars read the first part of the Declaration of Independence and mark the words they don't know. First, they try to guess what the words mean by looking at the them in context, and then they look up the words in a dictionary.

Words carry connotative baggage and some suitcases are bigger than others. Learners consult the Chambers School Dictionary to identify the formal, informal or slang words used in a series of exercises.

Students practice looking up the definitions of words using a dictionary. They put the defintion of the word into their own words. They create a PowerPoint slideshow to show illustrations related to their vocabulary words. Using the...

Focusing on correct grammar usasge as well as the concept of language evolution, this conventions lesson prompts middle and high schoolers to examine the structure of sentences and word classes (parts of speech). Use the three activites...

Learners dissect and build words from parts like prefixes, base words, suffixes, and inflectional endings. Etymology skills help us find the meanings of words by identifying the different parts that constitute them. Class members use...

Using the book Swamp Monsters by Mary Blount Christian, young readers discuss key vocabulary terms and make predictions about swamp monsters. They complete a Cloze activity, explore past-tense verbs, and categorize vocabulary words.

Students put word cards together and use the word parts to create correct words. In this phonics lesson plan, students practice pronouncing consonant blends and vowel sounds, demonstrating an awareness of beginning, middle, and ending...

In this vocabulary learning exercise, students select the best word choice to complete the sentence. They are challenged by the choices which all start with the letter "p."

In this online interactive English vocabulary skills learning exercise, students answer 10 matching questions which require them to fill in the blanks in 10 sentences. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Students use events and biographies from their state's history and U.S. history, to create a dictionary of terms for citizens of a democracy.

Students identify the core democratic values. They explain how the values affect their life in America. They also relate the topic of philantrophy to the core values.

Students write postcards to the troops in Iraq. After listening to letters written by troops in Iraq, students discuss ways the troops are helping America and how they should show their support. Students use a postcard template and...

Fourth graders define vocabulary and locate physical features on maps.  For this mapping lesson, 4th graders explore regions of Arizona through landforms found on topographic maps.  Students research the history and culture of...

Fifth graders review their writing for repetition of words at the beginning of the sentence.  For this informal writing lesson, 5th graders share examples of sentence beginnings.  Students use a thesaurus to find antonyms and...