Virginia Department of Education
Identifying Audience and Purpose
Use a fun and creative activity to introduce junior high learners to how writing changes for different audiences and purposes. The activity begins with a reading by the instructor where teens visualize a food fight in the cafeteria. In...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Off to Adventure!: English Language Development Lessons (Theme 1)
Give language skills a boost with a series of ESL lessons in an Off to Adventure! themed unit. Using a speak, listen, move, and look routine, scholars enhance proficiency through grand conversation and skills practice....
Creative Visions Foundation
Visual Interpretations of the CRC
How can people better understand the human rights that are guaranteed to children around the world? Pupils attempt to answer the question with the second of two lessons explaining the Introduction to the Convention on the Rights of the...
Curated OER
Missing Letters: -oat, -ell, and -all
Beginning readers must solve for the missing letter in these spelling questions. There are three pairs of rhyming words here, each without an initial letter. They complete the word, and for the second box, draw a picture. The alphabet is...
Curated OER
Osage, Legend, and Arkansas History
Elementary schoolers evaluate the legend of Norristown Mountain by looking at facts about the Osage Indians and the legend itself. They do an exploration of Arkansas' Native American groups which includes a look at their legends,...
Curated OER
8th Grade Math Parallel and Transversal Lines
Eighth graders label and define geometrical lines and angles. They identify angles on the board as acute, obtuse, straight, or right. In groups, 8th graders build with masking tape on the wall a pair of parallel lines, and a transverse...
Arts Ed Washington
Art Lessons in the Classroom: Our Family
Blend art and family into one instructional activity with an activity involving oil pastels and watercolors. After viewing a few famous portraits of families, learners create masterpieces that represent their own families.
Curated OER
Building a Case for Clues
Here's a strategy that can be used with any narrative, whether read by the instructor or as independent reading. At the end of each chapter, learners predict, using prior knowledge as clues, what will happen in the next chapter. Readers...
Curated OER
Tomas and the Library Lady
Students practice read aloud comprehension strategies. In this literacy comprehension lesson, students listen to Tomas and the Library Lady, stopping to discuss with a partner aspects of the story suggested by the teacher. Students make...
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Students examine Harriet Tubman's contribution to the Underground Railroad. They read and discuss an excerpt from the book "The Tamarack Tree," listen to the CD for the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd," and write a journal response from...
Curated OER
Meta-Cognitive Reading
Pupils define the term "meta-cognitive" and explain its significance to reading strategy. They speak aloud the thoughts that pass through their minds as they are reading and write down thoughts that come to their minds while reading.
Curated OER
Serfs and Lords
Learners determine what the roles of serfs and lords were in feudal society. In this feudalism lesson, students examine what life was like for the different classes by looking at farm and manor life. They listen to Till Year's Good End,...
Curated OER
Poetry--Rhythm and Meter in Sonnets
Students identify rhyme scheme and meter in a poem and respond to the message of the poem. In this sonnet rhythm and meter lesson plan, students take notes on a lecture about rhythm and meter in sonnets and work in small groups to...
Curated OER
Chrysanthemum - Read Aloud
First graders participate in active read aloud of Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. In this read aloud lesson set, 1st graders practice the "turn and talk" technique as they listen to Chrysanthemum. They listen to the story chapter by...
Curated OER
Shhh!!! I'm Reading!
Students practice reading silently decodable texts in this lesson plan. They discuss the importance of being able to read silently. They then practice silently reading "Wemberly Worried." An assessment/checklist is included in this...
Curated OER
Ordinary People: Guided Imagery
After reading chapter six of Ordinary People with your class, conduct this activity with your class. Turn the lights down, put on your softest voice, and have them try to imagine that they lost a close friend. Then, encourage them to...
Curated OER
Friendship and Belonging
Students identify and demonstrate various emotions. In this philanthropy lesson, students listen to the book, The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric, and brainstorm ideas to help new children feel welcome at school. Students role play the...
Curated OER
Nonfiction Genre Mini-Unit: Persuasive Writing
Should primary graders have their own computers? Should animals be kept in captivity? Young writers learn how to develop and support a claim in this short unit on persuasive writing.
Historical Thinking Matters
Rosa Parks: 5 Day Lesson
What led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and how might historians approach this question differently? This rich series of lessons includes a short introductory video clip, analysis of six primary source documents, and...
Lakeshore Learning
Presidents' Day Poem
What a great way to combine English language arts with your celebration of Presidents' Day! Youngsters are guided through the reading of a poem sung to the tune of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" on the jobs of the president of the United...
Seussville
Oh! the Places You'll Go!
Honor Dr. Seuss on his birthday with a read aloud of the story Oh! the Places You'll Go! and a variety of activities that inspire scholars to dream of their future endeavors. Readers take part in conversations, research the...
Poetry4kids
How to Host an Open Mic Poetry Party
Four steps to Open Mic Night! The location, invitations, supplies, and party favors are all part of the process in planning and hosting a fun-filled gathering where scholars read aloud an original poem or one by their favorite author.
Bantam Books
The Tempest: Four Corners
Forgiveness can be a difficult step to take in any circumstance, but is it more difficult if the offense is more egregious? High schoolers consider the concept of forgiveness before reading William Shakespeare's The Tempest. As...
Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices
The Right Number of Elephants
How can you tell if a number of items is reasonable? Combine math and language arts with a fun lesson based on Jeff Shepard's The Right Number of Elephants. After reading the book, kids discuss amounts of other items and create...