Curated OER
Clustering
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of clustering. In groups, they use their new science vocabulary words to put into a web or cluster. To end the lesson, they read a book related to electricity and write the definitions of any...
Curated OER
Reading the French Newspaper Le Figaro
Young scholars guess the meanings of many unfamiliar French words because of their similarity to English words. They read an article from Le Figaro or another French-language newspaper with cognates underlined to guess the meanings.
Curated OER
Kumeyaay Indians
Useful for literary analysis, citing textual evidence, or summary skills, this activity about the Kumeyaay Indians would be a good addition to your language arts class. Middle schoolers read novels and summarize the literature in their...
Teach-nology
Language Arts Activity - Cloze
Using context clues is an important skill when mastering reading comprehension. A cloze activity prompts learners to read each sentence in a short passage and fill in the blanks, based on what the rest of the sentence says.
Novelinks
Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Concept Analysis
Considering using Robert Cormier's young adult novel, Tunes for Bears to Dance to for book circles or as a whole-class anchor text? Check out this overview of the key concepts and issues raised by the novel.
Curated OER
Where Math Meets Poetry
Students identify Fibonacci's sequence of numbers and use the pattern to write poetry with one syllable words. For this math and writing lesson, students identify Fibonacci's sequence of numbers and learn about this early mathematician....
Curated OER
Guided Reading: Shapes Where We Play
Students discover shapes on a playground. In this guided reading lesson, students discover new vocabulary words related to shapes as they read Shapes Where We Play. In small groups, students use picture clues and one to one matching to...
Curated OER
Discussion Questions for Shakespeare's Julius Caeser
Do not let Julius Caesar be Greek to your pupils. Rather, make the play a dish fit for hungry minds. Encourage your class members to lend their ears to a series of rich discussion questions so that they can become masters of the play, as...
Curated OER
Draw a Computer
In this computer lesson plan, learners examine the various parts of the computer using terms - computer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, on/off switch, headphones, speaker. They repeat vocabulary and discuss correct operation and safety.
Curated OER
"Spelldown" by Becky Mushko
Learners read Spelldown, by Becky Mushko and consider how it portrays the Appalachian community. They define and discuss vocabulary presented in the story and write a comparison/contrast paper analyzing two of the story's characters. The...
Smarter Balanced
Effects of Water
To prepare for a performance task assessment, class members review the stages of the water cycle and then individuals assume the roles of drops of water for a Reader's Theater exercise. The script, a graphic depicting the water...
Smarter Balanced
Zoos
How do the experiences of animals living in zoos differ from animals living in the wild? To prepare for a performance assessment on this question, class members are introduced to key concepts and vocabulary, and then groups use a Venn...
Smarter Balanced
Thunderstorms
Ensure that all class members understand the basic concepts and vocabulary they need to complete a performance task on thunderstorms with an activity that asks them to use a Venn diagram to compare thunderstorms with rainy days.
Curated OER
Vocabulary Charts
Seventh graders are introduced to the vocabulary associated with archeology. Using a dictionary, they practice finding the meaning of various words and create sentences. They also identify an appropriate use of the word and draw an...
Curated OER
A New Word Everyday
Hobbits, dwarfs, wizards, trolls, and goblins. Readers track these fantastic creatures through J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit noting passages of character description and habitats. Using specific passages from the novel, class...
Curated OER
Context Clues
Work on context clues with your ninth graders in this lesson, which focuses on identifying and analyzing clues to define unfamiliar words. They identify context clues in a passage to recognize words they haven't seen before, and then...
Curated OER
Tree-mendous Game
Young scholars play a game where they classify the different characteristics of trees. In this tress lesson plan, students also use tree vocabulary and describe benefits of trees.
Curated OER
Shopping: In a Cafe
Students explore English by participating in a role-playing activity. In this food ordering lesson, students utilize new vocabulary terms to conduct short dialogues with fictitious servers in a Cafe role-play activity. Students analyze...
Curated OER
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
Students dictate a story to the teacher. They practice key vocabulary. They be exposed to the language experience approach to writing. They watch a video as a listening exercise.
Curated OER
Dictionary Research Work
Explore new words and examine an unusual alphabet book with your young scholars. They are introduced to an alphabet book containing many unfamiliar words. They are then guided as they search for definitions in a dictionary. They then...
Curated OER
Math Prefixes
Students use a dictionary to gather appropriate information for writing simple definitions. They recognize prefixes that relate to numbers, such as mono-, bi-, and tri-. Pupils use their creative abilities to extrapolate new words to...
Curated OER
The Sand Horse
Fourth graders are introduced to the book THE SAND HORSE and discuss the title and cover illustration. They listen to the story listening for words and phrases to describe the setting. They then brainstorm key words to illustrate the...
Curated OER
Guided Reading: Flora's Box
Young readers consider text-to-self connections. Learners discover the text-to-self connection as they read Flora's Box by Tina Althaide. They practice high frequency words, prepositions, and 1:1 correspondence.
Curated OER
Prepare to Read Nonfiction
Students explore the components of a KWL chart as they examine the facts of a story about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Vocabulary from additional stories is utilized to form antonyms and synonyms.