Curated OER
Examining Letters to the Editor
Students write letters to the editor. For this written communication lesson, students read sample letters to the editor and use the active voice to compose letters to the editor about issues they are interested in.
Curated OER
Reading Non-Fiction
Students identify the key features of printed non-fiction texts. In this deciphering texts lesson, students watch a video clip of a news program and a children's program to compare presentations. Students also identify...
Curated OER
Genres, Genres Everywhere
Young readers assume the role of Genre Sleuths to investigate the characteristics of folktales, fantasies, and mysteries. For this session you will need to collect a variety of books on a topic you have been studying. Groups then examine...
Louisiana Department of Education
The Scarlet Letter
Use Nathanial Hawthorne's immortal text on the influence of religion on the early American settlements, as well as its continued impact on American culture, with a unit that focuses on The Scarlet Letter. In addition to Hawthorne's...
Curated OER
Non-Fiction Animal Picture Books
Students complete a multi-lesson unit using research to create their own book about an animal of their choice. After discussing the elements of non-fiction texts, they use internet research to explore an animal of interest to them. ...
Curated OER
A Zoo Book for All
A visit to the local zoo launches an integrated life science/ language arts research project into the habitat, feeding habits, offspring, lifespan, and other interesting facts about animals. Each group selects two animals to photograph...
Curated OER
How-To Books
Students apply their knowledge and create a how-to book of their own. In this early childhood language arts worksheet, students learn about non-fiction books and write their own procedural non-fiction booklets.
Curated OER
Good Knight Alphabet Quest
Students will learn new words by using their favorite books. They will examine fiction and nonfiction works to differentiate types of literature. The lesson engages learners because it is using the format of a game to deliver instruction.
Curated OER
Saving the Titanic
Students research the Titanic using fiction, nonfiction, images, and Internet based resources. They determine if it is appropriate to raise and save the Titanic and its artifacts before planning and writing an opinion piece which defends...
Curated OER
Native American Legends
Students work together in groups to research a Native American legend. They present the information they gathered in a format they chose. They write their own legend based on their research.
Curated OER
Geometry and Quilting
Fourth graders combine geometry and language arts skills while examining quilt-making. After identifying the geometric shapes contained in quilts, they write stories to encompass the quilt border. Students conclude by creating and...
Curated OER
The Life and Times of Tomie dePaola
First graders research information about the author Tomie dePaola. In this author studies lesson, 1st graders use the computer to find information about Tomie dePaola's life and writing accomplishments. Students create booklet about the...
Curated OER
Mapping Out Summarization
Pupils summarize a selected piece of text using a a six step process. After reviewing the correct way to read silently, students read a selected piece of nonfiction text. They write a summary paragraph using the six step process...
Curated OER
Cattle Drive Research
Students research the live of cowboys in 18th Century America. In this cattle drive lesson, students locate a variety of online resources and take notes. Students compile notes and write a brief report.
Curated OER
The Purpose and Power of Persuasion
Seventh graders are introduced to and discuss the power of persuasion. After reading text, they identify the author's purpose, perspective and argument. They write their own fiction and non-fiction texts and develop a perspective after...
Curated OER
K Is for Keelboat
Fifth graders investigate the significance of the keelboat in the Lewis and Clark expedition. They define the key themes of the expedition and classify them in prescribed format, an ABC book.
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Lawton: A Child of the Prairie
Students complete word study activities, read a story and write a descriptive paragraph about the setting of Goo Goo Avenue in Lawton 1901.
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Tell Me a Whopper!
Sixth graders investigate tall tales as a literary genre. They listen to a number of tall tales to discover how exaggeration is used as a story element. They write and publish a tall tale using word processing software. They illustrate...
Curated OER
Identifying and Categorizing Worthy Attributes
Students write research questions. In this worthy attributes lesson, students discuss famous persons and what sets them apart from others. Students identify questions to guide prior to researching a famous person.
Prestwick House
Wuthering Heights
How many ways can you break down a classic novel? Based on the acclaimed Romantic-period novel by Emily Bronte, the Wuthering Heights activity pack includes a pre-reading exercise. Next, learners create a resume for one of the...
Curated OER
Drawing Birds
First graders discuss what they know about birds and share picture books. They read text on the page and discuss the question and draw the flying bird on their paper by having them look at the color drawing of the bird.
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Technologies of the Civil War
Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...
Curated OER
I'm A Poet and Now I Know It
Eighth graders gather ideas generated from other poems and their own inspiration, to create original poetry. A celebration is included as students bind and submit poems for publication.
Curated OER
Personify This
Eighth graders study personification in published works of poetry, then create their own through the use of diamante or cinquain poetry. They read and discuss poetry by Shel Silverstein, William Jay Smith, and Elinor Wylie.