Curated OER
Multiple Perspectives
Sixth graders watch and listen as teacher models how to contrast and compare perspectives in a story. In this language arts activity, 6th graders engage in guided practice to compare and contrast perspectives in a selection titled "No...
Curated OER
Narrative Poetry
Sixth graders explore narrative poetry. In this language arts lesson, 6th graders create a group story. Students discuss the characteristics of narrative poetry and use a story elements checklist to determine which poems are narrative...
Curated OER
Historical Effects
Fifth graders examine how events affect characters in the text The Watson's Go to Birmingham--1963. In this historical effects lesson, 5th graders read from the book and complete a worksheet. Students discuss racism and segregation and...
Curated OER
Interpreting Perspective
Sixth graders analyze how a character's perspective is influenced by cultural backgrounds. In this language arts lesson, 6th graders discuss traditions and celebrations they participate in. Students read a story and discuss how the...
Curated OER
Interpreting a Symbol
Analyze the symbols in the book, Only You Can Save Mankind in a fun science fiction instructional activity. After investigating the symbols from the book, middle schoolers jot down any details they recall about objects or idea. Next,...
Curated OER
Predicting a Mystery's Solution
Sixth graders explore the genre of mystery. For this language arts lesson, 6th graders predict the solution to a mystery based on the text. Students read a text and predict the solution.
Curated OER
Identifying Clues to Help Solve a Mystery
Students investigate clues in mystery novels. In this genre study lesson, students read the book Sammy Keyes and The Hotel Thief and use the 5 W's to answer questions about the mystery. Students draw conclusions using the details from...
Curated OER
Textual Analysis: Forensic Science Files: Handwriting Analysis
Learn to analyze handwriting samples in a textual analysis instructional activity. Middle schoolers complete a textual analysis procedure based on the text Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief. They also provide supporting evidence for their...
Curated OER
Historical Effects
Young scholars listen as teacher role plays how major events impact our lives. In this history lesson, students complete guided and independent practice activities about how the Gold Rush impacted characters in Riding Freedom. Young...
Curated OER
What's the Main Idea?
Students explore poetry. In this main idea in poetry lesson, students read poems from Words with Wings, thenidentify the main idea and complete a "Main Idea Mania" worksheet.
Curated OER
Lesson 3: Voice
Examine the "voice" of Ganwar, a character in "Ganwar Speaks!" from Home of the Brave. Middle schoolers identify and discuss dialect, description, and tone. They then work independently to analyze voice and complete worksheets. An...
Curated OER
What are the Main Ideas?
Prior to beginning Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks, model for your class members how to determine the main idea of a text. Exercepts from another story are provided to use for the demonstration. The focus then shifts to Rosa Parks'...
Curated OER
Genre Lesson: Short Story
Stories from Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street provide sixth graders with an opporltunity to identify the elements of a short story. After several modeling exercises, readers use the provided worksheet to recording information...
Curated OER
Relationship Between the Protagonist and Antagonist
Students read Hansel and Gretel, and discuss the conflict in the story, while determining who the protagonist and the antagonist are. In this fiction lesson, students chart the conflict in the story they have just read.
Read Works
Writing Compare and Contrast Essays
Practice writing compare and contrast essays in your class by starting out with a Venn diagram. A sample that can be expanded upon is provided here. After your writers have completed the guided practice, have them write individual essays...
Curated OER
Analyzing Relationships
Fifth graders analyze relationships between characters in a story. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders use photographs of family and friend to discuss relationships. Students read a story and discuss the relationships they identify...
Curated OER
Genre Lesson: Realistic Fiction
Learners explore the elements of realistic fiction. In this genre study instructional activity, students discuss connections they have to characters in their favorite show or movie. Learners hunt for realistic fiction elements in a text...
Curated OER
Deciding Theme
Fifth graders explore the theme of a story by identifying the effects of a character's decision. In this theme study instructional activity, 5th graders refer to the events in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Students discuss as a...
Curated OER
Character's Motive
Why do people commit crimes? Middle schoolers investigate characters' motives for committing a crime in a character analysis lesson. First, they read the book Chasing Vermeer and identify the suspects. They then record the details about...
Curated OER
Identifying Symbols
Identify symbols within text and explain what they mean. Sixth graders examine Home of the Brave and identify recurring pictures in the text and discuss what they mean. They then choose a symbol from the text and explain what it means...
Curated OER
Lesson 3: Voice
Explore voice in writing with the story Chess Rumble. After examining the character's voice to understand the character better, sixth graders analyze and discuss the dialect, tone, and descriptive language used. A good way to focus on...
Curated OER
Fact and Opinion
Sixth graders discuss the terms "explicit opinions," and "implicit opinions," from a text. In this literacy lesson, 6th graders analyze the author's techniques to find explicitly stated opinions. Additionally, students complete a...
Curated OER
Predicting a Mystery's Solution
Who killed Sam Westing? Model for your class members the components of a good prediction, and how to use these components to predict a mystery's solution. Class members use what they have learned to craft predictions while reading Ellen...
Curated OER
Organizing Information into an Outline
Young scholars explore outlines. In this nonfiction comprehension and study skills lesson, students complete a traditional outline for the book Animal Homes by Ann O. Squire following guided instruction as the teacher models gathering...