Observe animal behavior patterns and their habitats using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world in this inquiry-based activity that focuses on observation logs, class...

Contains plans for three lessons that ask students to compare narrative writing (short stories) to expository writing (news articles) in order to understand what makes each genre unique. In addition to objectives and standards, this...

This is a strategy guide to determine if reading material is complex and therefore, worth a close reading. It offers a list of quantitative, qualitative, reader characteristics/task consideration measures of text complexity.

A printable Venn diagram to use when comparing and contrasting two things or topics. Directions on how to use this graphic organizer as well as lists of teaching ideas and related resources are also provided.

Contains plans for four 40-minute lessons that teach persuasive writing to elementary students. In addition to student objectives and standards, these instructional plans contain links to PDF handouts and links to sites used in the...

Online lesson that allows students to study and follow a Shakespearean character throughout a play, analyzing their actions, traits and dialogue as clues to characterization.

This lesson plan helps elementary students identify the important components of web site evaluation. It includes a website evaluation question sheet.

In a multisession lesson, students read The Bully in stages, discuss the story events and issues related to bullying, and complete graphic organizers to help them organize story information. As students read, they write reflective...

This lesson focuses on learners researching and learning about Iran's culture, society, and leadership before and after the 1979 Revolution in preparation for reading the graphic novel Persepolis. Students work in small groups to...

This lesson unit has learners research a local, state, national, or international issue of personal interest and create and share a two-minute persuasive podcast presenting their research-based opinions on the topic. It includes tools...

Contains plans for one 50-minute lesson plan that teaches about using dialogue tags like "he said" or "she answered." In addition to student objectives and standards, these instructional plans contain links to PDF handouts and links to...

Is the case closed on the authorship of Shakespeare's plays? Student history detectives explore the evidence for and against one of the possible alternatives, Edward deVere, using the novel Shakespeare's Secret plus a variety of online...

This lesson makes a connection to popular culture by asking students to research and analyze contemporary and historic protest songs and to catalogue them in a class wiki.

Students learn how to walk a mile in someone else's shoes by reading historical fiction about the Underground Railroad. This is a lengthy unit of four lessons that spans thirty lesson periods where students examine characteristics of...

Contains plans for six lessons that use the book "The Bully" by Paul Langan to teach students how to deal with and deter bullying. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the...

Contains plans for four class periods that ask students to blend narrative and expository writing after reading fiction and nonfiction selections. In addition to student objectives and standards, these instructional plans contains links...

This site provides the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Cynthia Rylant, a famous children's author. Activities related to the understanding of "plot" are included, along with links to other websites about Cynthia Ryland and her...

Contains plans for five 50-minute lessons about four books by Leo Lionni. In addition to student objectives and standards, these instructional plans contains links to PDF handouts and links to resources used in the lessons as well as...

Contains plans for seven lessons that ask students to examine Supreme Court cases that have impacted civil liberties in the United States. Students work in groups and report their findings using PowerPoint presentations. In addition to...

In this lesson outline based on The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, students learn about parts of a letter, the different genres of mail, and letter attributes by studying the letters included in the book.

Contains plans for five lessons that use Avi's "Nothing But the Truth" to teach about free speech and give students an opportunity to develop persuasive arguments. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains...

Contains plans for seven lessons that use the book "Junie B., First Grader (at last!)" by Barbara Park to develop reading comprehension, summary and writing skills. Students create literacy mystery boxes based off the text. In addition...

Contains plans for seven lessons that use Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" to teach the literary elements of plot, theme, and character to high school learners. It also teaches about psychoanalytic criticism concepts such as the Id, Ego,...

Contains plans for three lessons that ask young scholars to adapt texts that they are reading to cinematic, screenplay format. These plans use "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl as an example, but the lesson can be adapted...