Curated OER
Defining Character Traits
Students read and analyze an extended definition in preparation for writing an extended definition of a CHARACTER TRAIT. They use analogy as a definition strategy to tailor writing to a particular audience. Finally, students SHARE...
Curated OER
Reading to Learn: How Do We Sum That Up?
Students explore the topic of summarizing. They read the book, Dolphins at Daybreak, to practice summarizing. They determine what information is important and choose sentences to summarize the passages they read. They write a summary...
Curated OER
A Taste of Blackberries
Fourth graders participate in a shared reading of Doris Buchanan's, A Taste of Blackberries. They read about grief in the loss of a best friend and examine the skills of a responsible family member.
Curated OER
You Flattened Me
Students listen to a read aloud of Flat Stanley. They draw flat self-portraits, e-mail themselves, along with a letter to a buddy.
Curated OER
To Infinity and Beyond...Magazine of Planetary Studies
Learners demonstrate their creativity by creating a magazine to express expository text. In this expository text lesson plan, students create a magazine in groups to creatively make text interesting.
Curated OER
Something About Me
Students write a list poem based on a word that describes them. The teacher uses the poems to compile a book about students in the class.
Curated OER
Information Shuffle
Gather some information, print it onto sentence strips, and then have your class physically shuffle the cards to better understand the importance of organizational patterns in writing. Middle school learners examine information for a...
Brigham Young University
Socratic Seminar for Cold Sassy Tree
Tired of giving the same old multiple-choice tests, and have the urge for a new assessment? Then bring the precision of a Socratic seminar into your classroom. Even if you did not read Cold Sassy Tree the organization and explanation on...
Curated OER
Finding Self-Reliance
Fourth graders relate what is read to their own experiences and feelings and use active listening to respond to other students' comments. After a lecture/demo, 4th graders utilize an Active Listening Chart imbedded in this plan to gain...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin and the Way to A Good Life
Young scholars explore American history by reading biographical text in class. For this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students research the famous inventor by reading assigned text and answering reading comprehension questions afterwards....
Curated OER
Is that a Fact? Reading the Newspaper
Fourth graders are given a newspaper article. They predict the content based on the title, read and chart fact and opinion statements, and conclude by summarizing the article. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide their...
Curated OER
What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
Learners explain in what ways the American experience in self-government can be called an adventure in ideas. They evaluate positions on a number of issues related to the fundamental principles and values of government and individual...
Curated OER
Pass It On: African American Poetry to Inspire Writing
Students read through poems in a book called Pass it On. There are 19 poems from famous African American poets contained in the book. The poems are specialized for children and after the children have learned about the author and about...
Curated OER
My Trip to America
Young scholars create their own stories about a trip to America, based on an oral reading. Student stories be compiled for a class Thanksgiving book.
Curated OER
River Reading Circle
Students participate in a reading circle as a means of studying river-related poetry. They meet in small groups to discuss provided poems about the Mississippi River and use written or drawn notes
to guide their part of the discussion.
Curated OER
Using Words to Work Things Out
Students listen as teacher reads Words Are Not For Hurting, and answer questions about the content. Students discuss how to prevent arguments and work disagreements out with words. Students watch a puppet show that promotes discussion as...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension
First graders listen and read along as a story is read to them. They discuss what they read when finished with the text. Students discuss the story vocabulary and the word meanings. They practice decoding unknown words and complete a...
Curated OER
Bud, Not Buddy: Guided Imagery Exercise
Develop readers’ awareness of the visual power of language with a guided imagery exercise. Set the stage and create the mood with dim lights, soft music and potpourri. Then read the provided section of Bud, Not Buddy. Next, invite...
Curated OER
English PowerPoint: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Students read, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston. They explore the use of symbolism that depicts the main character's quest for self knowledge and identity. After identifying the significance of clothing in relation...
Curated OER
That Was Then, This is Now: When I Was Puerto Rican
Students explain how geographic/cultural setting influences identity by comparing/contrasting Esmeralda's Puerto Rican self with her American self. They closely read text to pinpoint when Esmeralda was no longer Puerto Rican. Students...
Curated OER
Living Longer
Students relate health information text to themselves and society. In this health information lesson, students answer questions using the 5 W's based on the health issue they are reading about. Students discuss life...
Curated OER
Communicating My Ideas; Developing Self-Expression in Writing
Fifth graders identify new vocabulary. In this vocabulary lesson, 5th graders predict the meaning of unfamiliar words. Next they find them in a dictionary and use them in a sentence.
Curated OER
Self-Test Quiz: Wild Children II: Grammar Exercise
Review important grammar skills using this resource. In this grammar worksheet, learners complete an online quiz with ten questions about gerunds and infinitives. This would be a great center activity.
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Making Connections to Text
Making connections to text is an important skill that students can practice in fun and motivating ways.