Novelinks
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter: Vocabulary List
A staggering amount of work went into compiling this vocabulary resource for Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. The overview provides a rationale for the strategy and information about tier 1, 2, and 3 words. The...
Curated OER
Expository Writing
Learners write a short essay. For this essay writing lesson, students select from a tiered assignment a topic in which to compose an expository essay.
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: “I Can’t,” Said the Ant
Students discover the meaning of tier two vocabulary words. In this vocabulary lesson, students read I Can't, Said the Ant, listening for 3 pre-selected, tier two vocabulary words. Words are defined by the teacher and students...
Syracuse City School District
Reading Comprehension Unit Plan
A unit plan uses short texts to teach literary elements such as theme and characterization. Included are passages by authors such as Walter Dean Myers and Sandra Cisneros. Activities include quick writes, filling in graphic organizers,...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Priceman)
Ask budding readers, "How do you make an apple pie?" You may get many answers, but Marjorie Priceman takes the cake with her idea in How to Make an Apply Pie and See the World, an adventurous tale full of wonder and new vocabulary....
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Julius, the Baby of the World (Henkes)
Lilly is jealous when her new little brother is born; explore vocabulary in context through Kenvin Kenkes' story Julius the Baby of the World. Suggested words for this text are: constantly, disguise, disgusting,...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Puff, the Magic Dragon (Yarrow and Lipton)
Puff the Magic Dragon remains a childhood landmark for budding readers (and singers), but did you know it also makes an excellent vocabulary study? By focusing on several in-text words (in this case: billow, cease, fearless,...
Pace University
Short Stories
A reading of Kevin Lamb's short story "Lost in the Woods" launches a study of how writers use elements such as foreshadowing, mood, character development, setting, and conflict to engage readers. Class members then demonstrate what they...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: I Love You the Purplest (Joosse)
Use Barbara Joosse's heartwarming story I Love You the Purplest (which can be found on YouTube if you don't have it) to practice vocabulary in context with emerging readers. This sensory text is an excellent opportunity to...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Kindergarten ABC (Rogers)
As kindergartners are learning the alphabet, expand their vocabulary in the process using Jacqueline Rogers' book Kindergarten ABC. Each page features a letter and various objects for scholars to locate in the picture, and...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Letting Swift River Go (Yolen)
If your class is reading Jane Yolen's Letting Swift River Go, explore these vocabulary words in context: faint, quench, remain, and sacred. Before reading the story aloud, acquaint learners with these words briefly....
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Madeline's Rescue (Behelmans)
What new adventure is Madeline on now? Emerging readers expand their vocabulary in Ludwig Behelmans' story Madeline's Rescue. Although there are many words you could focus on here, five have been furnished with comprehension...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Pinkalicious (Kann)
Although the title of Elizabeth Kann's story Pinkalicious isn't a real word, the book is an excellent way to explore some new vocabulary in context: acute, mushy, rare, steady, and surrounded. Find the...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Swimmy (Lionni)
Learn the importance of leadership as you explore vocabulary in context through Leo Lionni's book Swimmy, which can be found on YouTube in case you don't have it. This text includes some excellent vocabulary words for young readers,...
PeopleLeap, Inc.
"In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
Chapter six of In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez's historical novel about the Mirabal sisters, is the focus of a worksheet that asks readers to define a list of vocabulary words and respond to a series of comprehension...
Curated OER
Writing Process
Students read Macbeth and work in groups to organize and create an outline for a persuasive essay. In this persuasive essay lesson, students work in tiered learning groups to organize their thoughts for a persuasive thesis about the...
Curated OER
Narrative Techniques: Plot Lines
Eighth graders develop plot lines as a part of narrative writing process. In this plot lines lesson, 8th graders work in learning groups to create a plot line for a piece of literature they've read. Students discuss the general plot and...
Curated OER
Spinning My Tale
Begin writing personal narratives in this writing lesson. Junior high writers start by writing a journal about their favorite holiday. They read a book at their skill level and use graphic organizers to record their ideas for writing....
Curated OER
Watching Minds Bloom
Educators can use the Principles of Bloom's Taxonomy as a Guideline for Differentiated Instruction.
Curated OER
Power in Acceleration
Once students have mastered basic skills they can move on to high interest and challenging activities.
Curated OER
Meeting Your Students' Learning Needs With Differentiated Instruction
Here are three ideas to help differentiate classroom instruction.
Curated OER
Mondrian - Primary/Secondary Color Study
Utilizing computer software, learners demonstrate the color spectrum. They investigate the life of the artist Piet Mondrian and define his style of artwork. Then they use Photoshop to recreate some of his designs while discovering the...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: "I Can't," Said the Ant (Cameron)
With both rhyme and a fun storyline, Polly Cameron's story "I Can't," Said the Ant is a useful resource for vocabulary in context. Emerging readers focus on five key words: cooperate, mend, nimble,...
Curated OER
Cold Sassy Tree: Vocabulary Development
Change places with your pupils, and let them teach their peers! Each learner signs up to teach a word from a list provided by the teacher (included here). Then, they complete a graphic organizer to help them develop a better...