Third graders use a four-square graphic organizer to help a third grade writer organize thoughts and clarify thinking to write a simple expository paragraph, a workshop summary paragraph.

Third graders create original design directions. Each student creates a design and composes directions for re-creating it. Then, when students form pairs, they take turns drawing from one another's written directions.

Students recognize the importance of summarizing in this lesson. They "sum up" an article about monarch butterflies. Students practice writing summaries of the article charging themselves 10 cents/word. They try to write the least...

Student solve problems using a flow chart. They solve real-world problems by using a diagram or model. They create their own diagrams for problem-solving. They explain how they drew the diagram and solved the problem.

Students are exposed to two different works of poetry in order to complete a task of comparing and contrasting them. They analyze the poem and identify the juxtaposition. The analysis is compiled by them to make a class report of it.

Middle schoolers research thunderstorms using the Internet, science book, or another reference book. Then, they can take a specific aspect of thunderstorms such as lightning, thunder, hail, rain, or something else that occurs during a...

Students compare information on "California Gold Production". They participate in class discussion. They write a summary regarding gold production in California over time.

Third graders review the basic structure of a bilbliography and its importance in writing. They create a bibliography of materials used to complete a written report, and power point slide show and use the computer lab to create a final...

Learners discover the history and method of oil production.  In this natural resource lesson, students investigate early oil production.  Learners discuss the challenges of turning natural resources into safe products.

Learners use a six step process to write a summary of a provided paragraph. The steps include: delete unimportant information, delete repeated information, substitute easy terms for a list of items, add a series of events with an easy...

Students discuss the importance of comprehension and the use of summarization. Through guided practice, they follow three rules in finding and highlighting important information, while crossing out information that is not needed. Using...

Students review the concept of silent reading. They listen to a story and create a story map of what they hear. Then, they read their own story and map it the same way. This time, they use this story map to write a summary of what they...

Eighth graders compare Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. In this Civil War activity, 8th graders research both generals and write a comparative essay. They include a paragraph about Lee, another about Grant, and one showing the...

Young scholars write a story. In this genres instructional activity, students learn the meaning of realistic fiction and write a short story in that genre.

Pupils explore the concept of atoms and how they combine to form molecules and compounds. In pairs, they read an article on how atoms work and discuss the main points. They draw atoms and write a paragraph about their elements.

Pupils prepare for an participate in a debate. They watch instructional videos on how debates proceed. Pupils work in teams to research various topics, present their opinions on the issue, and respond to opposing viewpoints during a...

Students read two short stories by the same author. For each story, they identify the main structures and style of the author. They use the text to write a summary about each story and how the author used literary techniques.

Learners discuss the importance of comprehension and the use of summarization. Through guided practice, they summarize given paragraphs. Independently, they read an article and highlight information that they believe is very important....

Students investigate the Merci Train and conduct research in order to write a summary about its origination and purposes. They make a boxcar that is designed and made from construction paper and glue and wrapped around cardboard.

Students read a sample essay and evaluate them in groups. They write their own essay on a topic of their choice and use peer editing. They share their essays with the class.

Second graders work in groups to gather information from a factual paragraph on the topic of ants. They demonstrate taking notes by selecting 3 or 4 important key words in each sentence and write it on a note card to compile summary...

Fourth graders identify a problem and write a persuasive essay to the appropriate audience, to correct the problem. They demonstrate effective decision making based on positive self-worth. Students need to write a paragraph about their...

Fifth graders create a time line listing six national holidays in chronological order of occurrence. In this historical events lesson plan, 5th graders research holidays and write a paragraph summarizing each one. They then place each...

Students review the meaning of a summary and why they are important. They silently read the book, So You Want To Be President thinking about the main points in the story. When finished, each child summarizes a page from the book which...