Curated OER
The Argument
After brainstorming, middle schoolers write an expository essay for a writing project. They focus on supporting points, organization, and writing conventions to develop a well-integrated paper. In addition, they revise, proofread and...
Vista Murrieta High School
English II Research Paper Packet
If your school requires a senior research paper or if you are considering one for your class, then this resource is for you. The 43-page packet includes everything from a sample letter to parents to requirements, from topic suggestions...
Curated OER
Revising Comma Splices, Fragments, and Run-on Sentences
In this grammar worksheet, students correct comma splices, fragments and run-on mistakes in twenty-five sentences to help make each one grammatically correct.
Curated OER
Biography Newsletters
Have your pupils just finished reading biographies? Extend their study by having them craft a biography newsletter about the subject of their biography. Using a word processor, they create, revise and edit their report, and add graphics...
Curated OER
Original Children's Books
Bring the fun and creativity of children's stories to your language arts class. Middle schoolers write, revise, and publish an original student book which incorporates the elements of a short story. They put their story in the form of a...
Curated OER
Writing the Final Copy and Presenting a Research Paper
Students finalize and polish a research paper. In this research writing lesson, students revise and double-check the corrected version of their first draft. Students peer edit and create a final draft. Students create a presentation...
Curated OER
Do Heroes Have to Wear a Cape?
Young writers choose a person from American history, their community, or their family to use as the subject of a persuasive essay. The process begins with a discussion of the characteristics of a hero, the completion of a prewriting web,...
Curated OER
Proofreading with Peer Editing
A standard peer editing activity, young writers get into groups and pass their papers to each of their peers in turn; each person checking their peer's paper for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. In a fun twist, your class...
Curated OER
Teacher of the Year
Now is the time to identify the great teachers in your school! Discuss the characteristics of persuasive writing and analyze an example. Then, each pupil chooses a teacher who they feel should be named teacher of the year. They plan and...
Curated OER
Writing a Tall Tale
Learners investigate tall tales. For this tall tales lesson, students read tall tales, then write their own. Learners focus on writing about exciting character development, plots, and scenes. Students edit and revise their papers before...
Curated OER
Writing with Writers
Young scholars identify unique characteristics of different writing genres such as biography, folktales and mysteries. They create original piece of writing using the writing process and then post their original writing online. They...
Curated OER
Creatively Creating Expository Essays
Students, after reading Fahrenheit 451, brainstorm inventions that could have been in the novel. They present their invention to the class and writing an expository essay about their creation.
Curated OER
Comparative Paper – Biblical Texts
In this Biblical texts instructional activity, students read and complete the narrative for the assignment that requires them to prepare and write comparative papers on Kings and Chronicles, Legal Collections, and Prophecy.
Curated OER
Small Group Shared Writing
Young scholars discuss elements of effective writing in small groups. They work together to critique individual and group writing focusing on including supporting details.
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
Scrapbook
Learners, using photos as their inspiration, develop six personal narratives, then edit and revise them.
Curated OER
Humorous Story Featuring Clowns
Pupils write stories that feature funny clowns. For this creative writing lesson, students follow the outline for a story in order to write their own humorous story set at a circus.
Curated OER
By Jove, I Think You've Got It
Learners author a problem and solution essay. In this environmental stewardship activity, students conduct research and write an essay regarding an environmental topic of their choosing.
Curated OER
Keeping verb tense consistent (Middle, Reading/Writing)
Middle schoolers improve their personal and academic writing by use of one consistent verb tense.
Curated OER
Writing a How-To Paper
Students discover that when writing a how-to paper, they are telling readers how to do something such as cook a particular recipe. They then choose one of the provided topics and write their own how-to paper.
Curated OER
Emotion Similes
Students define what a simile is before writing a poem that is based primarily on similes. They brainstorm and write the poem using the give format. They write drafts, revise and present a final poem.
Curated OER
What Does Christmas Mean to Me?
Students write an essay entitled "What Does Christmas Mean to Me?" In this writing lesson, students express their feelings about Christmas in an essay. Students discuss ways they have given to others during the Christmas season, then...
Curated OER
Writing - Story Ideas
Young scholars write their story in first person as a non-fiction story, or they can write the story in third person as a fictional story and use different characters. They can choose an idea from one of the story starters provided.
Curated OER
Practice Makes It Better
Use the Internet to expand the audience for portfolio writings and motivate young writers to edit their work. Have your class members select a piece of writing from their portfolios to be polished and published on the World Wide Web....