Fourth graders recall lizards from the text and report their important traits. The teacher adds the information to the map. They watch the map expand while it organizes all of the lizards and their characteristics.

Fifth graders discover the difference between myths, legends, and folk tales. They summarize legends. They work together to dramatize legends and then create their own legend using the writing process. Handouts and worksheets are included.

Students read a short fiction book and demostrate comprehension by identifying the main characters, setting, conflict, theme, and summarizing the main points. They organize the information in Inspiration and create a powerpoint to show...

Students investigate color distribution in bags of M&Ms They sort and classify the contents of a bag of M&Ms and summarize their findings on a worksheet. Students convert the numbers into charts and make predictions about color...

Ninth graders summarize and paraphrase a short story read in class. They identify the six story elements of character, setting, plot, conflict, solution, and tone/mood. Students create a PowePoint presentation that illustrates the...

Seventh graders consider different cultural viewpoints. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine the depletion of buffalo as a contention point between Native American and European settlers. Students read diary entries to gain...

Second graders, while reading and discussing the book, "The Best Older Sister," by Sook Nyul Choi, practices predicting the meaning of a passage based on its title and illustrations. They experience determining the main idea from text...

Learners use text information, data and graphs to explain what sustainable development is, and to investigate the rate of consumption of Canada's natural resources. In groups, they graph their findings.

Pupils explore the various functions of bees within the hive and explain the process of making honey. They use numerous resources to find their information including the internet, library books and their science texts.

Fourth graders engage in a lesson which provides a better understanding of safety rules outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They submit a written report from the Safety Briefing Handout which summarizes the key...

Students investigate science and technology by reading a children's book.  In this reading comprehension lesson, students read the story Archibald Frisby and discuss the ways we use science and technology in everyday life....

Students examine and research the human digestive system and what happens to the food we eat. They read the article, The Passage of Food, participate in an experiment with crackers, and write a paragraph summarizing the function of the...

Students create a flip book that describes the basic characteristics of the five main animal kingdoms. They research the animal kingdoms, include examples of organisms for each kingdom and illustrate the finished text.

Fifth graders explore the circulatory system. Using the internet, and their textbook, they research the heart and blood flow through the body. Students use MicroSoft Word to complete a written letter which summarizes information about...

Students use their interviewing skills to gather information for a school newspaper. They summarize their interview and create an article for the school newspaper. Students develop the article, edit it using the spell check and revise...

In this summary and paraphrase worksheet, students review the definition for a summary and paraphrase. Students learn the steps for writing a summary and then write one for the passage.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is always a favorite for middle and high school readers because it addresses issues that hit home to them, decades after the book is set. Have learners fill out an anticipation guide that encourages them to...

Students express the meaning of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this American history lesson, students read through the national anthem and complete an activities from a list of choices. Some choices include: writing the anthem in your own...

Students listen to a power point presentation to distinguish between fiction and nonfiction text. In this what's the difference lesson, students identify fact from opinion within a text. Students listen critically and respond to text.

Genetics learners read an article and watch a video about personalized medicine and the hope it holds for treating patients more specifically than doctors currently are able to. They research, design, and produce a brochure about the...

Disease prevention or designer babies? Use a set of slides to introduce the growing practice of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. Teens read related articles and then break into groups to address different scenarios. Afterward,...

Tenth graders participate in an activity in which they practice paraphrasing sections of primary and secondary documents. They are to share their paraphrasing with the class to help with their confidence speaking in front of a group.

Students work in groups to paraphrase an article.  In this paraphrasing lesson, each group is assigned a paragraph to paraphrase in one sentence.  Other groups critique the sentences to make sure each is effective. ...

Second graders read and discuss the story "The Rooster Who Went to His Uncle's Wedding" in the Scott Foresman series. They summarize the story. They understand the influence of Latin American Folktales. They complete a quiz on the story.