EngageNY
Grade 9 ELA Module 2, Unit 3, Lesson 1
"True-crime stories, murder mysteries, up-to-the-minute online news reports, and (as always) rumor and innuendo grab our attention faster than any call for justice, human rights, or ceasefires." Or so says Walter Mosley in his Newsweek...
Curated OER
What is Good Writing
Young scholars identify the qualities of good writing. In this writing lesson, students use the 6+1 Traits of Writing and use a rubric to discuss samples of writing on the overhead. Young scholars discuss the strengths and weaknesses of...
Curated OER
Following Directions Using Magic Tricks
Students recreate magic tricks in an effort to follow directions. They evaluate the clarity of their instructions and teach an apprentice how to perform a trick. They are evaluated using a rubric to note the clarity of their directions...
Curated OER
Wars and Conflicts
Students explore the concepts of war and conflict. For this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print sources to research the causes, effects, main events, and significant figures of selected wars.
Curated OER
Author Study - Mo Willems
Students listen to books written by Mo Willems each day and discuss the story elements of each. In this reading strategies instructional activity, students decide after reading through the whole series of books, what their...
Curated OER
Letter Writing
Students read and review business letters and informal letters and evaluate the different components necessary for each type of letter. They write a business and an informal letter then convert a business to an informal letter and vice...
Curated OER
Actions Speak Louder than Words
Students examine and discuss how volume, stress, pacing, and pronunciation help deliver an effective oral presentation. They listen to a speech by Nolan Ryan, identifying why he is a good speaker, then practice reading their own short...
Curated OER
Tuck Everlasting
Students use a rubric given to them to answer questions about the novel Tuck Everlasting. They may have to find ten words that are new to them, complete a Venn Diagram, respond to given prompts or complete a survey. The students...
Curated OER
Wax Museum
Sixth graders put their research skills to work. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 6th graders research a famous figure from that era. Students use the information gathered to prepare for a wax museum experience.
Curated OER
Explain Your Vote!
Young scholars improve their essay writing skills using the subject of voting as a topic. For this writing essays lesson, students write expository essays to increase the weight of their vote in the 'Cast Your Vote Poll' for the...
Curated OER
Documentarians of an Era: A Study of the Paintings of Thomas Eakins and Gustave Caillebotte
Students produce an object analysis of 'The Champion Single Scull'. They begin with description, proceeding to deduction, and finally providing speculation by interpreting the outward evidence of culture. They use a clipboard and paper...
Curated OER
Dancing through Poetry
Get your class up and moving as they explore how to express movement and dance through words. Designed around two poems by Lillian Morrison about break dancing, the activity truly captures the creative and multi-sensory aspects of...
Curated OER
Shamrock Spelling
Review spelling skills by learning about the history of shamrocks. Learners use a picture of a shamrock to practice spelling three letter words. One letter goes on each shamrock leaf. It is a way to engage your kinesthetic learners.
Curated OER
Reading Reader's Digest
Students practice reading a Reader's Digest in French. In groups, they identify new vocabulary and practice prouncing the words. They complete a worksheet in which they practice writing complete sentences. They are graded on a rubric...
Curated OER
Authoring Stories for Guided Reading
Students in a teacher education program write their own children's book. Using books already written, they review age appropriate for their grade level placement. They write their own story and illustrate it using various software...
Curated OER
Creating Literacy Centers Using Technology
Students create two literacy (reading and/or writing) centers to implement in an elementary classroom. Students review examples of educational software and determine the best potential centers to use in elementary classroom. Two centers...
Curated OER
Critical Literacy in the 21st Century: Sitti's Secrets
Fourth graders write persuasive letters. In this letter writing lesson, 4th graders read Sitti's Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye and discuss their areas or topics of concern. Students select a person to write a letter to and how they...
Curated OER
Fairy Tale Facts
Pupils analyze fairy tale characters and story elements. For this fairy tale lesson, students label two charts for the characters and settings of a fairy tale. Pupils view props in story boxes and answer questions about the story elements.
Curated OER
Researching Another country's Holiday: Organizing and Recording Information
Prior to this lesson, 5th graders will have collected notes from several sources. Students extend their note taking to include at least one example each of summarizing and paraphrasing. They record bibliographic information for each...
Curated OER
Just the Facts, Ma'am
Students use tables of content, chapter titles, and key words as a strategy for organizing non-fiction information. They write a paragraph with a partner using information from a graphic organizer.
Curated OER
Anticipatory Set Picture Walk
The teacher models a Picture Walk by using a "think aloud" method while reading a picture book to the class. On the second day, 3rd graders use a worksheet as a guide for a second picture walk. This time, students complete the "think...
Curated OER
Notetaking Procedures
Sixth graders explore notetaking procedures. In this study skills lesson, 6th graders use text organizers to categorize information. Students select textbook sections and write headings, subheadings, and summary phrases for each...
Curated OER
Exploring Arizona's Biotic Communities Lesson 3: A Day in the Life
Junior ecologists examine Arizona's biotic communities and research an animal or plant that is found in this community. In this lesson, learnerss write a narrative essay about their assigned animal or plant. They research online and in...
Ohio Literacy Resource Center
Compare & Contrast Essay
Comparing two texts can build a greater understanding of the texts and themes of the works. Take some time to follow the steps here to guide your pupils through the process of composing compare-and-contrast essays.