Curated OER
Coming To America
Students investigate the history of America with the help of children's literature. The story is structured as a timeline that begins at the time of Columbus and progresses to the present. The teacher reads the story with the class and...
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Examining Persuasive Literature
Examine persuasive literature and writing. In this persuasive literature instructional activity, pupils work through a variety of activities over the course of three weeks (each week is planned by day). The unit's purpose is to examine...
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Dear Peter Rabbit
Write dear old Peter Rabbit a letter with this lesson. First, youngsters listen to the story Peter Rabbit and analyze the story elements. Then they complete a story map graphic organizer in order to write a letter to Peter...
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Narrative Literature Response Letters: Original Lesson Plan
Readers write a formal letter to an author offering an alternative ending to a story the author has written. First, the class reads a story or novel. Upon finishing the reading, they are introduced to the format of a formal letter. They...
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Breaching the Gulf Between Cultures
Students explore the dynamics, the challenges, and the rewards of adjusting to a new culture through the reading of "Help! My Father is Coming" and "The Visit to Vijay's". In this social culture lesson, students carousel brainstorm about...
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Scenarios: Beginning, Middle (incidents), End
Young scholars investigate writing scenarios that can be performed. They examine the parts and levels of scenarios that can actually be performed.
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Understanding What Makes a Good News Story
Students explore the news sources at their school in order to write stories that reflect what's going on in all communities and to identify what makes a good story. In this news writing lesson, students journal about what makes a...
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Snow Day
In this writing activity, students fill out a brainstorming graphic organizer about a snow day. They are then prompted and guided through writing a first and final draft of a paragraph using their ideas.
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When I'm President
In this writing worksheet, students fill out a brainstorming graphic organizer about being president. They are then prompted and guided through writing a first and final draft of a paragraph using their ideas.
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Secret Student
In this writing worksheet, students fill out a brainstorming graphic organizer about a secret student of their choice. They are then prompted and guided through writing a first and final draft of a paragraph using their ideas.
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My School Rules! Your School Drools!
In this writing worksheet, students fill out a brainstorming graphic organizer about why they like their school. They are then prompted and guided through writing a first and final draft of a paragraph using their ideas.
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Writing
Students work together in groups to brainstorm ideas on writing topics. After being read stories, they watch a demonstration of webbing and how to connect related ideas. They write their story and are graded based on a rubric.
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Drama from Animal Characters
Learn about animal habitats, characteristics, and writing in a different perspective. The class composes a narrative from the perspective of a fresh water animal, they include a problem and the animal's reaction to the problem. The...
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Experience This!
What would you do if you had to go to school all day every day? Tillie tackles this problem in Sharon Creech’s A Fine, Fine School. After a discussion of how Tillie got the principal to change his ways, brainstorm with your class...
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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...
School Journalism
Investigative and Data Journalism – Day One
A free press, free to investigate and report on responsibly, compelling stories, is essential to a democracy. A 10-slide presentation details where to get ideas, how to go about an investigation, gather data, and assure the accuracy of...
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Outlining Essays (Grades 3-6)
Students brainstorm story idea in preparation of writing an expressive essay. They study how to outline essays to assist them in writing an expressive essay. Each students conclusion should summarize their main idea and restate their...
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Where is Flat Stanley?
Students create a story map of the basic elements and significant events of the book Flat Stanley. Students brainstorm places they would like to visit if they had been flattened and then, write about an imagined experience. Students...
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Author's Corner
Second graders read a picture book at a Web site about a bunny who solves a problem and becomes friends with a squirrel. Students then discuss story with classmates, brainstorm ideas for their own stories about friendship, and read the...
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Outline a Travel Narrative
Fourth graders are taught how to outline a fictional narrative essay. They review the definition and structure of narrative essays. Students use the activity to brainstorm specific ideas for narrative essays. They are given a...
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Writer's Workshop: Mood Endings
Young scholars listen to a story, "My Mama Had A Dancing Heart." They discuss the feeling they had after reading the story and define "mood." Students brainstorm a list of moods and discuss the mood of each character. Afterward, they...
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Robert Munsch: Author Study
Learners study Robert Munsch's style of writing. In this literature lesson plan, students read many of Robert Munsch's books, write a list of the characteristics found in his books, and write or orally tell a...
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Kool Kumara Lesson Plans
Students examine the Kaipara region of New Zealand and practice research and writing skills. In this social studies lesson, students use a template to create their own Kool Kumara Pal. Students explore a day in the life of...
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Character Cluster
Third graders practice identifying characters and story elements by creating a character cluster in class. In this story analysis lesson, 3rd graders discuss the story Snow White and identify the characteristics of the evil witch....