Students review what author's purpose is by understanding that authors either persuade, inform, describe, or entertain with their story. For this language arts lesson, students bring in junk mail and in small groups discuss what the each...

For this seasons worksheet, students use 5 words from a word bank or their own words to complete a paragraph about the seasons. They write an original sentence about their favorite season on the lines below the paragraph.

Investigate the customs of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with a holiday instructional activity. Pupils use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the customs of each holiday before writing an informative paragraph about...

Students discuss and create inventions to make their pets' lives easier or more fun. They write paragraphs describing the invention, draw pictures to illustrate the invention, and present the inventions to the class.

First graders create food from their cultures and present food and its history with the rest of class. They read "Everybody Cooks Rice" and everyone tastes the meals brought into class. They write a paragraph describing the reason for...

In this writing and spelling worksheet, learners circle pictures of long "u" with silent "e" words that are included in 3 short paragraphs. They complete 3 examples.

Students observe and compare real flowers and artists' paintings of flowers. They discuss a flower and its parts. Students discuss the color (color wheel) and are introduced to new vocabulary. They draw, color, or paint a large flower...

Learners discuss what they know about Saturn. They create drawings to show what the planet looks like and identifies its characteristics. They write a paragraph about the planet as well.

First graders analyze what it would be like to own a dinosaur. In this dinosaur writing lesson plan, 1st graders review knowledge and key terms about dinosaurs in order to complete a one paragraph creative writing assignment. Students...

Students create a brief report summarizing their experience on a field trip or community based instruction trip. After returning from their experience, they jot down several points of interest. Students draw a picture that focuses on...

Imagine how the wolf would tell the tale of Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs. Young writers re-imagine classic tales by adopting the point of view of another character in the story. After reading models like The True Story...

Kids of any age can experience the beauty, color, and patterns of Oaxacan art. They view, discuss, and then make their own versions of Oaxacan animal sculptures using sulphite paper. This would be a good follow-up activity to accompany a...

Students use a chart of the six simple machines and become aware of how the machines improve our ability to meet the following needs: shelter, food, water, and transportation. Students use model cars to experiment with force. They divide...

Students investigate the art of baseball. In this sports lesson, students discuss their thoughts about the sport of baseball and create a baseball word list. Students use pattern blocks and drawing paper to create a...

Students design a filtration system using three filtration materials.  In this water filtration lesson, students conduct an experiment with their filtration systems.  Students present their systems to the class. Group results...

Students practice changing sentence fragments into complete sentences.

Students discuss flowers and their parts, examine works by Georgia O'Keeffe, and draw, color, or paint large flowers.

Students use the internet to gather informatino about the solar system and space. In groups, they create a slideshow in which they use illustrations from the internet and include their own text. They complete the lesson by going on a...

First graders identify different types of transportation, and explain why each is important. They pretend they are going on a trip. They choose their mode of transportation, and use play money to buy their tickets.

Students practice editing for conventions, focusing on one element at a time after reviewing conventions poster. They examine how to use proofreader's marks and discuss how to edit using them.

Students discuss the character traits of George Washington. For this George Washington lesson, students read A Picture Book of George Washington, discuss the book, and complete worksheet activities about Washington's self-discipline and...

This collection of opinion essays prompted first graders to write about a "best pet." From the Vermont Writing Collaborative, with Student Achievement Partners and CCSSO, these written pieces are part of the In-Common: Effective Writing...