Reed Novel Studies
Skink No Surrender: Novel Study
The oldest turtle ever recorded lived to the age of 188! As it turns out, two characters from Carl Hiaasen's Skink No Surrender are fascinated by these shelled creatures. Using the novel study, scholars research three types of...
Reed Novel Studies
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon: Novel Study
Does good fortune lie within the man in the moon? Minli, a young girl in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, sure hopes it does, so she sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon for answers. Along the way, Minli meets several magical...
Reed Novel Studies
Surviving the Applewhites: Novel Study
The Bradys, the Flintstones, and the Simpsons are some of pop culture's most memorable families. So how do the Applewhites stack up? Using a novel study for Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan, scholars answer text-based...
Reed Novel Studies
The Slave Dancer: Novel Study
What are the effects of a good literary cliffhanger? Using the novel study for Paula Fox's The Slave Dancer, pupils consider why the author chose to end the first chapter with suspense. They also answer text-based questions, practice new...
Reed Novel Studies
Jacob Have I Loved: Novel Study
Twins always have double the fun, right? Sara, in Jacob Have I Loved, always is in the shadows of her twin sister. Scholars identify synonyms, answer comprehension questions, foreshadow, and create alliterations as they read about how...
Curriculum Corner
ELA Common Core Checklists for K-6
In the hustle and bustle of life in the classroom, it's easy for teachers to lose track of the standards they have taught, and those that still need to be addressed. This Common Core checklist provides educators with an easy-to-use...
Pulitzer Center
The Paradise Papers: A Lesson in Investigative Journalism
The Paradise Papers, a year-long research project from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) exposed how political leaders, business people, and wealthy individuals used offshore entities to avoid taxes and hide...
Curated OER
The Catcher in the Rye: Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy
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,...
Curated OER
Troublesome Word Pairs
Students examine how to know the difference between the words in the troublesome word pairs and identify the words in sentences. They then write their own sentences using the correct word from the word pairs.
Curated OER
Word Sleuth Log - Nate the Great Word Recording Sheet
For this vocabulary worksheet, 3rd graders record new words that they identify while reading a book from the Nate the Great series. They write the new words, look it up in the definitions, and write the meaning next to the word.
Curated OER
Identify letters and sounds
For this letters, words, and sounds worksheet, students say sounds, identify letters, read sentences, read words, and read -ed and -en words. Students complete 6 activities total.
Curated OER
Motion Lotion
Students view a video to explain the meaning of friction. In a hands-on experiment using gelatin, students test the effects of lubrication on friction. They complete a worksheet imbedded in the lesson to describe their observations.
Curated OER
Life Science: Living Things
Have your class build their vocabulary bank by studying life science terms. Basic terms like organism, cell, unicellular, and vertebrate are included on the definition sheet provided. Demonstrate how to identify different life science...
Curated OER
Word Meanings From Context--Synonyms
For this synonyms worksheet, students look at each of the five words printed in italics before each selection and use context clues to identify and underline the synonym of each word.
Curated OER
Understanding Connotation
Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address," which is available online, is used in the language lesson plan presented here. Middle schoolers read through the text for comprehension. Then, they reread the first paragraph and identify all the words...
Curated OER
What is Culture?
Sixth graders study ancient cultures of the world. They describe the meaning of culture. Students distinguish between the material and non-material aspects of culture. They create a collage identifying the material and non-material...
Curated OER
Symbols and the Choices we Make
Upper elementary and middle schoolers recognize symbols that influence the choices that we make consciously or unconsciously in everyday life. They look at the symbols and choices that others make. They identify and apply knowledge of...
Curated OER
“Self Reliance” Questions
Is consistency foolish? Or is “foolish consistency . . . the hobgoblin of little minds”? Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self Reliance” provides readers with an opportunity to reflect on their own musing about being self-reliant and about...
Curated OER
Functions and Roots
In this function worksheet, students factor polynomials, or use the FOIL method, to simplify polynomials and determine the roots. This three-page worksheet contains ten problems. Explanations and examples are provided.
Curated OER
Words Will Break Your Heart
Learners practice being kind. In this character education instructional activity, students identify hurtful words they have heard and then share kind words they have heard. Learners discuss the impact of hurtful words.
Curated OER
Things That Stick Out Or: How To Find Your Way Around on a Map
Students explain the meaning of and recognize the map outlines of a peninsula, an isthmus, and a cape.
Curated OER
Team Apollo
Seventh graders brainstorm about problems with a school track. They research different possibilities for a solution. They test different track materials with erosion, durability, abrasiveness and resiliency. They determine the area,...
Curated OER
Ship of Gold
Young scholars explore American values. In this American history lesson plan, students read passages from Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea. Young scholars collaborate to conduct research in order to build a timeline of the events...
Curated OER
The ABC’s of Kindness
First graders practice random acts of kindness. In this character education lesson, 1st graders consider acts of kindness they can carry out and then identify them as they create ABC books of kindness.