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Great Expectations: DRTA Strategy
A Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA) strategy for Great Expectations scaffolds and guides readers as they begin Dicken's novel. Step-by-step directions are provided, as are chapter one pair-share questions, a prediction worksheet,...
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Tales From Around the World
Young scholars read stories. In this culture lesson, students read stories from different regions around the world. Young scholars look for each region on the map and listen for interesting cultural details in the story. Students then...
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CHRISTMAS FILM REVIEW
Students write reviews of films they have seen over the Christmas holidays. They study what the ingredients of a film review are, and examine the difference between fact and opinion.
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Traits Needed for Effective Group Process
Students brainstorm characteristics that are needed to succeed in various occupations. They observe the list and discuss the most-listed traits. The list is left up in the classroom for inspiration.
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Do You Know What You Just Read?
Students answer reading comprehension questions using the "story grammar" technique. They listen to a story and then answer questions using the technique: main character, setting, main events, and resolution. Students complete an...
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Searching for Strega Nona Facts
Third graders comprehend what they read. They use a strategy called "story grammar" to comprehend what they read. Students use story grammar to identify the main character of the story, where and when the story took place, what the...
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HyperStudio Book Reports
Fifth graders create a HyperStudio book report after reading a novel. They work in pairs or small groups to design a HyperStudio stack about a previously-read novel. They use a variety of graphic organizers to have Students gather...
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Remembering What We Read
Pupils discover strategies to help them better understand the stories they read. As a familiar story is read to the class, individuals practice answering basic questions about the main characters, settings, problems, etc. while...
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Comparing Monkey Story with Curious George Stories
Students compare and contrast the main character in Monkey with the main character in Curious George.
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Outline of a Legend/Folk Tale
Students create outlines of folk tales and legends. They read a folk tale or legend in the target language. They complete an outline of the key events of the story including the main characters, plot, story elements and theme or moral.
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Native American Legends
Second graders will engage in an in-depth study of Michigan Native American culture comparing and contrasting the culture of today with that of the past. They will also read a variety of Native American literature focusing on the story...
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Historical Fiction- Thanksgiving
Young scholars write a story. In this historical fiction lesson, students research how Thanksgiving began. Young scholars write a fictional story where they are a main character of this time period.
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Folktales
Fourth graders read a Haitian folktale. They study main characters in Haitian folktales and explore multicultural information about Haiti. They clarify understanding by retelling a sentence (paraphrasing) and a passage in their own...
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Ecology
Young scholars personify ecology vocabulary and write a one-act play using their knowledge of ecology as the basis for characters, conflict, setting and plot.
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Bah Humbug
Students listen to two famous stories about people who do not like Christmas, and then create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the main characters.
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Event/Story Pyramid
In this story mapping worksheet, students use the graphic organizer to fill out a pyramid with important words describing the main character, setting and events.
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Small Fish Stick Together
Pupils pantomime the book Swimmy. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the main character in the text and how Swimmy participated in philanthropic acts. Pupils role play the book.
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What Is a Promise?
Students brainstorm the definition of honesty. In this honesty lesson, students read Ostrich Egg Wife and discuss events in the story relating to honesty and breaking a promise. Students explore ways the main character showed he was not...
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W.W. Jacob's "The Monkey's Paw" Theme
Students identify the theme of "The Monkey's Paw" and relate it to prior knowledge. In this "The Monkey's Paw" instructional activity, students discuss fate and coincidence and debate which one controls destiny. A test is...
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The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs
First graders compare two versions of The 3 Little Pigs. They identify the main characters in the two stories, identify the plot of the two stories and explain the climax and the endings of the two stories. They use a Venn Diagram to...
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Great Expectations: Group Writing
Examine the differences between totalitarianism and democracy in this writing lesson. Using the same format and theme from Great Expectations, young writers work in pairs to compose their own short stories. They follow guidelines for the...
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Julian Secret Agent: Commas
Your class participates in a variety of shared reading and writing activities related to the book Julian Secret Agent. They complete a class story chart, examine how to use punctuation for dialogue, write an alternative...
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A Fine Feathered Flock
Students role play different situations. In this respect lesson, students read Mr. Lincoln's Way, identify the story elements and answer comprehension questions. Students discuss how they can always treat others with respect and role...
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So Much Depends Upon...Sixteen-Word Imagery Poems Inspired by Love that Dog by Sharon Creech
After reading Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (and possibly shedding a few tears), middle schoolers work on their own sixteen-word poems with a Six Trait writing activity. They focus on word choice in this activity to capture an...