Lorinda Cauley's book Clap Your Hands is a fun way to expand budding readers' vocabulary in context (although you could use any book for this strategy). To prepare kids, introduce the following terms before...

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....

Familiarize budding readers with new vocabulary in context as they listen you read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, which can be found on YouTube if you don't have in on hand. Recommended focus words here are: considerate, creative,...

Who doesn't love this book? A Pocket for Corduroy provides excellent vocabulary practice in context for budding readers (although this strategy could be used with any text). Before reading it aloud, go over the new...

Students examine the major differences between earstern and western dragons and their association with the Chinese New Year. They view and discuss a video, read New Year poems, explore various websites, and create a lion mask.

Students identify the elements of a story. In this reading and writing lesson, pupils read the book, Tyrone the Horrible by Hans Wihelm and then identify the characters, setting, and plot of the story.This lesson includes adaptations and...

After reading the book Balloons Over Broadway about the incredible puppeteer who created the first Macy's larger-than-life parade balloons, your youngsters will celebrate their reading by participating in a...

Here are three well-thought-out tasks intended to build good note taking and letter writing skills. The class reads three short letters, determines who wrote them (based on context) and takes notes as a pre-writing activity. They...

Students read about a boy while exploring poetry.  In this poetry lesson, students discuss how Deshawn's neighborhood and family are described.

Students explore the architectural landmarks and cultural history of El Pueblo de Los Angeles historical monument and the Fire Station. A reading of the text, A Visit to Olvera Street prefaces the research on the landmarks.

After reading a picture book about planting and harvesting cucumbers, learners get a chance to examine some cucumbers of their own. First, they see photographs of a cucumber on a vine, and learn that it is part of the gourd family....

Read Clap Your Hands to explore new vocabulary with your class. In this three-tiered vocabulary lesson, youngsters read the book and identify the plot, setting, and characters. They also define vocabulary terms from the book and...

Students read the book, "Everybody Cooks Rice," and they participate in activities pertaining to the book. They identify countries mentioned in the text and locate them on a world map. They use an atlas to identify the climatic...

If you are looking for a lesson about invasive species to ocean habitats, you have arrived! Introduce the concept to learners and have them read an article about marine invasive species. Vocabulary, relevant web links, and a cute...

Build your class's knowledge with a vowel game. With a list of code words for each vowel, kids begin to construct fences with the words that share long vowel sounds.

For this ESL worksheet, students read the article entitled "Italy Player Called Me a Terrorist."  Students respond to 51 short answer, matching, true/false, and fill in the blank questions.

Students explore U.S. History by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students read about the famous American's first job and the transition he underwent from printing to politics....

Students read the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. In this character traits lesson, students read the book and identify character traits. Students draw pictures of a character from the book and describe the character traits.

Students explore the roles of family members. They read books, discuss the special talents of household members, and create a class family album book using photographs brought in by the students.

Students explore safe and unsafe choices in different environments. In this safety lesson students discuss safety rules they know. The teacher reads the students different scenarios and the students decide if it is a safe behavior or an...

Students examine artwork and create their own.  In this writing and illustrating instructional activity, students view illuminated letters from the Getty Museum's collection and discuss art vocabulary.  Students examine the...

First graders participate in a variety of activities that feature the consonant blend 'st'. They read "Stan the Squid" and "Stella Started for the Station", answer comprehension questions for the stories, manipulate beginning sounds and...

This engaging slide show has students guess the correct word that is missing a sentence. For example, one slide says, "Please turn the light ____ and say goodnight." Of course, the answer is "off." There are 16 sentences for the students...

Just because kids today are well-versed in texting and emails doesn't mean they shouldn't learn how to write a friendly letter! Reinforce their letter-writing skills with a lesson focused on the elements of a friendly letter, as...