Curated OER
Text Structures in Science Writing
Students recognize that science writing is organized in identifiable patterns called text structures. Understanding and using these different text structures help refine students' abilities to read and write in science.
Curated OER
Oh, Go Fly a Kite!
Students research and report on aspects of kites including: history, types, building and flying kites. They use Inspiration Software as a graphic organizer. They use gathered research to complete informational booklets.
Curated OER
That's The Story!
Images can inspire powerful writing. Engage your class in narrative writing with the idea included here. Individuals each snap a digital photograph that includes action. The teacher then mixes these up and hands each class member a photo...
Curated OER
This is America
Young scholars explore world geography by viewing a documentary film in class. In this national parks lesson, students view the Ken Burns documentary about the subject and identify the contributions of individuals in support of the parks...
Curated OER
Looking for a Windshield Experience
Students identify American geography by participating in a national parks activity. In this road trip lesson, students view the Ken Burns documentary "National Parks" and identify the importance of automobiles in the park system....
Curated OER
Living With the Heat: The Ring of Fire
Students investigate the planet Earth's infamous ring of fire and the life that thrives from it. In this ocean environment lesson plan, students investigate hydrothermal vents and how organisms thrive off their heat. Students complete...
Curated OER
Speaker Report
Fifth through eighth graders think of themselves as newspaper reporters as they listen to a presentation by a guest speaker. As reporters, they take notes during the presentation. Using these notes, they create a rough draft and then a...
Curated OER
Basic Paragraph
Explore basic paragraphs. Young writers compose a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. This lesson plan is intended for use with a SMART Board, a software technology web link is induced.
University of Chicago
Using Artifacts for Clues About Identity
Learn about the ancient Near East through a close examination of ancient artifacts. Lead your class into analysis by first observing an artifact as a class. Pupils can then work in pairs to analyze the other artifacts and compile a list...
Polk Bros Foundation
How to Summarize a Non-Fiction Passage
After reading a text, one way to find out how much your class comprehended is to ask your pupils to summarize. This worksheet helps class members prepare for writing a summary of a nonfiction text. They note down the topic, up to eight...
iCivics
So You Think You Can Argue
What defines an argument, and how can someone properly formulate a counterargument? This resource provides two options—an interactive PowerPoint presentation or worksheet—that will support your learners as they begin to explore how to...
K12 Reader
My Hero
Who do the kids in your class look up to? Have them describe their heroes with a writing prompt. The prompt encourages kids to explain why this person is important to them, and what actions the hero has done that make him or her a...
K12 Reader
The Greatest President
Who is the greatest US president? George Washington? Abraham Lincoln? FDR? Find out the opinions of your young historians with this cross-curricular writing prompt that engages them in researching the accomplishments of these influential...
Penguin Books
Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for Jefferson's Sons
Thomas Jefferson lived a controversial life. A series of lesson plans shares information about Jefferson's Sons, a novel about the infamous founding father. Discussion questions and other tasks explore different points of view and cover...
Curated OER
Modern Culture and Society
Sixth graders investigate different cultures by comparing the United States to Europe. In this social structure instructional activity, 6th graders discuss the economies, religions, languages and cultures in the Americas and Europe and...
Curated OER
Sidewalks to Success in Middle School
Middle schoolers write a brochure that educates incoming middle school students on how to succeed.
Curated OER
Microorganism Multiplication
Sixth graders explore biology by viewing video clips in class. In this microorganism identification lesson, 6th graders identify the types of organisms that can feed small animals such as algae and protozoans. Students view video clips...
Curated OER
Total English Advanced: Use of Would and Childhood Memories
For this childhood memories worksheet, students practice use of the word would as they complete a graphic organizer and then rewrite 8 sentences using would.
Curated OER
I'm Out of Here
Students create a travel budget. In this budget lesson, students research vacation destinations. Working independently, students research destinations on the Internet and construct a budget for the vacation. Resources provided.
Curated OER
Twisted Textbook
In this paragraph structure instructional activity, middle schoolers read an excerpt about Europe and identify the sentences that focus on human characteristics as well as physical characteristics. Students rewrite the selection as two...
Curated OER
Reading Buddies Book Tour
Students organize a story. In this language arts lesson, students pair with younger students and lead them through the steps of writing their own illustrated stories.
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Curated OER
Creative Outline for Your Short Story or Book
Students discuss the information listed about how to make an outline for a short story or book. They then begin writing their short story and edit it and revise before turning it in to be graded.
Curated OER
Learning Paragraph Structure Through Design
Learners examine paragraph structure, the writing process, and then design a model for the process. In this writing skills lesson, students explore paragraphs using the SmartBoard. Learners create a class T-chart about paragraph...