Annenberg Foundation
Migrant Struggle
The American Dream is a goal that many pursue, but is it truly attainable for all people? An in-depth lesson explores the plight of migrants in twentieth-century America. The resource includes a video and author biographies and...
Curated OER
Prewriting 2 Getting Ideas
Fourth graders read a poem or short paragraph and have students picture it in their minds. They relate the topic to something in their experience and illustrate, 4th graders generate questions with a graphic organizer, use Prewriting2...
Curated OER
James and the Giant Peach
This James and the Giant Peach learning exercise provides 15 short answer questions and extension activities. They address characterization, basic reading comprehension, making personal connections to the reading, and more. The...
Curated OER
Narrative Writing
A basic lesson on personal narrative writing is here for you. In it, learners are asked to imagine they're going to share an experience of their own with someone who did not participate in that experience. They verbally tell the story to...
Curated OER
Plagiarism in the Real World
How would you feel if someone plagiarized your work? After class members turn in an assigned newspaper article, you rewrite the piece using elements of their writing. Then you claim you will be selling the story and that you will profit...
Curated OER
Read and Get Smart
Use the class textbook to read a full story about Martin Luther King, Jr. The class writes facts about him and outlines his life, then they read the author and illustrator summaries at the end of the story. They compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
At the Crayon Factory: high frequency and spelling words
After reading the story At The Crayon Factory learners complete 4 different language arts activities. They write spelling and high frequency words, fill in the blanks to sentences, answer short answer questions, and write...
Curated OER
All Quiet on the Western Front Summary
Why should high schoolers bother to read All Quiet on the Western Front? Give them this short synopsis to introduce them to the story. There's also a short section encouraging readers to ponder why they're being asked to read...
Curated OER
Ant Writing
Students become effective writers. They need to practice strategies for working through the writing process. By presenting the students with a creative problem, they must choose a position and support it accordingly.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
A Case Study of Memory Loss in Mice
Using a short news article, high school or college biologists examine the scientific method in practice. The article, which focuses on an Alzheimer's experiment performed on rats, has very limited information, so learners must be...
Curated OER
Journey to Jo'burg: Before and After Reading Activities
Delve into life in Johannesburg using this instructional activity. This resource is made to go with Journey to Jo'Burg by Beverley Naidoo. Learners complete before and after reading activities for chapter 8 and then read a short...
Curated OER
Fairy Dictionary
Use artwork to illicit responses in a writing journal, and then present your class with the short list of key terms provided. Can your learners add any of their own key terms? Segue for a second, and read tales such as Peter Pan or...
Curated OER
My Summer Vacation: Traveling
A classic lesson idea, kindergarteners share stories about their summer vacations on their first day of school! First, your young learners will listen to you talk about your summer vacation, making sure to use plenty of visual aids. Then...
Curated OER
Why Do You Write?
Ask your learners this question as a quickwrite: why do you write? This prompt can begin a unit on writing and open up a dialogue about the motivations writers have. Tap into your scholars' reasons for writing and make the activity more...
Curated OER
Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays
High schoolers read a Japanese Noh play and discuss its structure and traditional characters. They choose a short myth and write a Noh play based on it.
Curated OER
The Outsiders Journal Guide for Chapter Six
In this novel guide worksheet, students respond to eleven short answer questions about the plot and literary elements of Chapter Six in The Outsiders.
Curated OER
Learning to Organize Writing
Encourage focus and organization in the writing of your second, third, and fourth grade classes. Learners are asked to select a room in their house and narrow in on how it looks, smells, or feels. After writing a short paragraph...
Curated OER
Women's World Cup Champs
The Learning Network in conjunction with the New York Times provides an article for reading and questions for short answers and discussion. If you are looking for a rainy day activity or just a time-filler this story titled, "Women's...
Curated OER
Hunt the Fact Monster Hunt #25
In this Internet research worksheet, learners use the Fact Monster search engine to find the answers to two multiple choice and eight short answer questions.
Curated OER
How the Chipmunk Got its Stripes
In this comprehension worksheet, students complete multiple choice and short answer questions for the legend How the Chipmunk Got Its Stripes. Students complete 8 questions total.
Curated OER
Carolyn Bakes Cookies by Linda Owens Reading Comprehension
In this reading comprehension worksheet, 4th graders read a short passage entitled, "Carolyn Bakes Cookies," by Linda Owens. They answer 7 multiple choice reading comprehension questions base on the story.
BBC
Words In The News: Japan Textbook Back In Spotlight
High-interest articles are a great way to get struggling readers to tackle difficult vocabulary. Here is a lesson plan that includes such an article. It is focused around a very interesting and controversial article about the teaching of...
Curated OER
A Family Celebration
In this family history worksheet, students interview a family member about places where they lived and then write 4 short answer questions based on the responses.
Teach-nology
Author’s Purpose
What is the author's purpose when writing a narrative story? Kids read a short narrative passage before answering three questions about author's purpose.