Students make a model sea chest, then fill it with provisions for a voyage. They supply a list of the contents of their sea chest, explaining the purpose of each item. The sea chests can be displayed for the school or community.

As a class, scholars read the poems, Humpty Dumpty, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater, and Jack and Jill, in order to identify words with the same ending sound. Using their rhyming skills, learners brainstorm additional words...

What does showing respect look like? What behaviors show disrespect? After modeling such behaviors, primary graders create a flag that they hold up while demonstrating respectful behavior as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The...

As a class, read different sentences prepared by the teacher, identifying the punctuation that is needed for the appropriate expression. In small groups, have each child assume the role of one or more character in The Grouchy Ladybug by...

Get involved with phonics by recognizing one particular letter. Learners name a letter, know it by sound, decode basic CVC words and use the letter in writing. A variety of options are given to the your learners: making a letter collage,...

Use a traffic light to model a very basic paragraph plan. The Go, or topic sentence, is written in green and expresses an opinion about the topic. Information that supports the opinion of the Go sentence is written in yellow and the...

Elementary learners create an ABC grammar book. The project begins with class members taking digital pictures of items that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Depending on level, they then add a word or a complete sentence to...

Youngsters practice using blends and digraphs. In this early reading lesson plan, learners play a game of "Go Fish" using words that contain a blend or digraph. This allows them to practice recognizing the word and using it in a sentence.

First graders participate in a guided reading lesson. In this guided reading lesson, 1st graders read David's Drawings by Cathryn Falwell, which is a realistic fiction book on the DRA:16 level. They determine the author's message, and...

After looking at pictures of trees, discussing tree growth, and identifying the parts of a tree, lead your class on a nature walk and have them collect samples and record their observations. They then work in pairs to polish the...

Make a phonics train filled with matching initial phonemes. Early readers say the name of the objects on each of their cards, identify the initial letter sounds or phonemes, then paste them on a train. They make three trains, which means...

Scholars sort words based on their initial phoneme or sound. Learners are given two backpacks, each with a picture card; they search and match picture cards with the same initial sound as the ones on each backpack.

Partners practice reading fluency by reciting sentence strips to each other with proper expression and intonation. Partner A chooses a strip at random and reads it silently, then aloud with expression. Partner B reads the same sentence...

Your emerging readers know not to judge a book by its cover, but they can categorize these titles into either fiction or nonfiction. There are four book covers pictured here, and scholars record the titles under the corresponding text...

Let your class learn about the sounds made by the letters s and t. They work to recognize each lowercase letter and match the letter to images that begin with the /t/ or /s/ sounds. They also trace each letter several times.

Little learners familiarize themselves with the letters u and v. They find objects in each of two pictures that begin with either v or u. They say the sound of each letter and then trace it several times. 

Boris is the smartest baby around! Beginning readers can use this short story excerpt to practice reading comprehension and fiction elements. They read the story and then discuss what they think he will do next. Scholars create an...

How many syllables? This practice worksheet starts with a brief introduction on segmenting words, encouraging kids to say words aloud. They categorize 12 words into lists based on number of syllables: one, two, or...

These words sound the same but are spelled differently, giving scholars a chance to practice spelling patterns and rhyming words. First they read that the /ai/ vowel sound can be made with three different spellings. Learners label three...

Reinforce punctuation skills as well as printing skills with a kindergarten autobiography worksheet. Youngsters write their information, including their name, address, and age, and draw a picture of themselves and the place where they...

What a fun way to practice segmenting words into syllables! Engage learners by using their own names, spoken by Mico the puppet (or one of your favorites). Mico announces names slowly, syllable by syllable. If scholars have a...

Some words are tricky. Can your scholars quickly recognize irregularly spelled words? Write the word was on the board (or any irregular word you'd like to practice), touching each letter as scholars segment the phonemes....

Help readers develop awareness of comprehension issues and employ tools for better understanding. The best way to begin this strategy is to model it through a think aloud. Choose a book scholars will also be reading, preferably one they...

The story of Abe Lincoln serves as the backdrop to this vocabulary-in-context activity as you read David Adler's A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln. Scholars learn these politically themed words before listening to you read the story...