Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Story Design
Stories contain very specific elements; plot, characters, and key events. Learners use pantomime to retell a key event from the beginning, middle, and end of a story. They discuss setting and character as each group discusses and then...
EngageNY
Group Discussions and Revision: Editorial Essay
Great minds think aloud! Pupils participate in the Fishbowl protocol, discussing their opinions about the Mary River mine proposal. As they share their thoughts, peers provide feedback about their thesis and supporting ideas.
Curated OER
Identifying Themes in Children's Literature
Identifying themes in literature is the focus of the language arts lesson plan presented here. Learners read short pieces of fiction and practice the skill of identifying the themes present in each one. The bulk of the lesson consists of...
Curated OER
Reading for Information
What should readers do to prepare for reading an informational text? What should they do during their reading? What should they do after completing such a text? Introduce your pupils to reading strategies and techniques to gain meaning...
Curated OER
Cross-Curricular Language Arts Lessons
Here are lesson ideas to begin integrating social studies content into the language arts classroom.
Reed Novel Studies
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH: Novel Study
The field mouse, also known as the meadow vole, is most active at night, so hide the cheese! Scholars research these interesting rodents and record three fascinating facts using the novel study for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. They...
Curated OER
In a Nutshell
Students summarize a non-fiction article in this lesson. They review a six step process for summarization. They then read the assigned article, and work as a class to write a summary using the five steps provided. They then write an...
Curated OER
Let's Sum It Up!
Students explore the benefits of summarizing and create their own summaries in this lesson. Students read the "Siberian Survivor" article from National Geographic Kids Online. Students then discuss the important facts mentioned in the...
Curated OER
Empowering Young People to Repair the World
Students analyze the role of study vs. good deeds in contributing to improving the world. They discuss how study and action are important and consider their obligation to make the world a better place. After discussing the concept of...
Curated OER
Memories, A Connection to the Past
Students read four or more books. They make predictions before reading, complete a picture walk, read in partners and complete graphic organizers. Various graphic organizers are provided in English and Spanish.
Curated OER
Building Friendships
Students explore that sometimes we are surprised when we spend time with someone we previously thought we would not like and find this person to be very likeable and they may become a great friend. They explore how a friendship can...
Curated OER
Inequalities
Sixth graders explore the concept of inequalities and how to solve them in the realm of integers. The instructor would benefit from using a number line and reviewing integers before using this lesson.
Curated OER
Reading And Summarizing in Science
Students read articles about various scientific topics from a variety of science disciplines and a variety of sources including newspapers, the internet, scientific journals and magazines for students. They review the articles...
Curated OER
Whooz-z-z Can Summarize
Students summarize an article by reading fast for details and reading slow for important facts. They practice outlining an article. They identify parts of an article such as the title and subheading. They write a short and concise...
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Removing the 'Junky' Words
Middle schoolers explore was to comprehend a story through summarization. They are introduced to a lesson by explaining that when we read there are a lot of extra, unnecessary, junk words. Students explore ways not pay to attention to...
Curated OER
Summarizing with Post It Notes
Young scholars practice summarizing articles using post-it notes. They gather information for their own article and summarize it as well. They are assessed by their teachers and the quality of their notes.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving
First graders summarize similarities and differences of life in England and America for the Pilgrims by reading a mini-book. Then, they write a journal entry in first person on what it is like to be a pilgrim in England and in America....
EduGAINs
Coureurs de Bois, First Nation Peoples, and the Fur Trade
The interactions between the Coureurs de bois (runners of the woods) and the First Nation Peoples as they engaged in the fur trade are the focus on this Canadian history exercise. Kids select learning centers based on their learning...
Curated OER
Draft Dilemmas
Consider the possibility of a new U.S. draft with this lesson, which encourages class debate and persuasive arguments. Middle and high schoolers discuss how such a draft might be enacted and how they would feel about it. They write...
Curated OER
Keywords: A Memorization Strategy
Here is a fabulous, five-page lesson plan on how keywords can help a reader with his/her reading comprehension. After a teacher-led discussion, pupils pair off with each other and work together to identify the main idea in a passage of...
American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
Curated OER
Robbing the 'Hood?
Students investigate historical figures and how they play a role in tourism by reading and discussing the article "When Robin Hood Supped, Was it Yorkshire Pudding?" In groups, students investigate issues related in the article in...
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Differentiated Language Arts
Pupils read speeches and identify the main idea as well as the literary techniques employed, paying careful attention to the persuasion and repetition elements that each speech possesses. Using a graphic organizer, they analyze,...
Curated OER
Preparing for the AP European History Exam
Only have a few weeks until the AP exam? Don't panic. Prepare your AP students for the European History exam using these detailed strategies. This instructional lesson plan summarizes ideas to prepare your scholars for the big test,...