Curated OER
Digital Storytelling: At-Risk Students Find Their Voices
Learners use digital cameras and software to create a digital story which consists of a series of digital images paired with a narrarated soundtrack. They focus on relevant images and a presecribed sequence of steps to provide a vignette...
Curated OER
Introducing Models to Elementary School Students
Students explore the concept of models. In this model activity, students examine 3-dimensional models of various objects and body parts to better understand the natural world.
Curated OER
Student Designed Investigations Part 2 – Testable Questions, Predictions, Materials and Procedures
Learners create their own investigations. In this science experiments lesson, students use the steps of the scientific method to design an investigation. Learners share their findings on a poster.
Curated OER
CSI: Chemistry Student Investigators
Students study chemistry. In this laboratory lesson students watch the CSI episodes and investigate their laboratory techniques and discuss what they saw.
Curated OER
Finding Your Story: Helping Students Begin Their Memoir
Learners write their memoir. In this memoir lesson, students study the differences between an autobiography and a memoir. Learners construct an outline as the basis for their memoir.
Curated OER
Students Working in Local Historic Preservation
Young scholars develop an appreciation of history as they volunteer their time in historical museums. In this historical perspectives lesson, students work with valuable local documents as they aid the staff of selected local historical...
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Students Information And Interest Survey
In this personal information instructional activity, students fill out this form to give details about their personal history, prior experiences and preferences. This could be used for information gathering or as an icebreaker activity.
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Author Cards
Eighth graders create an informational card for a selected author. They read and analyze a book by their chosen author, conduct research about the author, and create an author card that includes a written critical response to the...
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Author Study: Jan Brett
Young scholars use the Internet to access information about author and illustrator Jan Brett's books and career. They complete online activities, read interviews and play related games.
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Comparing Great Authors: Venn Diagram
In this Venn Diagram comparison worksheet, students complete a Venn, comparing 2 great authors. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.
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Spotlight on Students
First graders participate in social skills activities at the beginning of they school year that including graphing work. Each student acts as the "Top Banana" while other students ask them questions about their likes and dislikes. As a...
Curated OER
The Prince and the Pauper
Mark Twain, the famous American author, is often studied in the school system. Use "The Prince and the Pauper" to analyze the differences between the text and its video version. This lesson includes several culminating project...
Vanderbilt University
Stories from the Panama Canal
The stories of the Silver People, the West Indies immigrants hired to work on the Panama Canal, come to life in a lesson about the building of the Panama Canal. Groups research why the canal was built, how it was build, the working...
Scholasic
The Magic School Bus and the Missing Tooth
We chew with our teeth every day, but how much do we really know about them? Allow Ms. Frizzle to teach your kids a thing or two about teeth. Kids complete a prereading exercise, read the book, and respond to several prompts about the...
Curated OER
Finding Problems In A Story
Students categorize information into a problem/solving chart and examine the value of using a diary. In this problem solving and diary lesson plan, students read portions of Dear Mr. Henshaw, while they investigate the importance of...
Curated OER
Descriptive Writing Using the Book Rumpelstiltskin
Use the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin to teach your third grade class about descriptive writing. Following a teacher read-aloud of the story, the class brainstorms a list of adjectives describing the main character. Students use this list...
Curated OER
Life in Letters
Young scholars explore the relationship between an author's life and their work. Students research the historical and personal events surrounding a Nobel Prize winning author and how they are reflected in the author's writing. They...
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Because of Winn-Dixie
Learners complete a variety of activities related to the book "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo. They create a scrapbook of the characters in the book, play a reading comprehension maze game, and participate in an online...
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Investigating Langston Hughes
Third graders read and appreciate the writing of great American Authors. use technology to garner information about famous American authors. They have selected sites to explore. The information they save be used for a future Powerpoint.
National First Ladies' Library
Flopsy, Mopsy, Eleanor, and Beatrix
Young scholars read "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and view the photos of the pets that inspired Beatrix Potter to write. They then select a different book to read from the University of Pennsylvania's website or from the public library that...
Curated OER
Bring Science to Life With Lesson Plans for Eric Carle Books
An Eric Carle author study can lead students to study a variety of subjects including ocean life, life cycles, and symbiotic relationships.
Curated OER
Pam Munoz Ryan Shares Writing Secrets
Students conduct interviews. In this interviewing lesson plan, students read an interview of Pam Munoz Ryan to see where she got her ideas from in her story. They interview someone and create a scrapbook to show details of the...
Curated OER
Launching a Writer's Workshop
Students interview each other and their parents to examine why and when writers write and where published authors get their ideas. They complete a class T-chart, fill-out an interview worksheet, and read and discuss a variety of book...
Curated OER
You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover, But Can You Judge a Book By Its First Line? #2
In this literature/book analysis activity, students read one sentence which is the beginning of a book. Students then answer 6 questions based on this one sentence, predicting what it will be about and other story elements. They then...