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The Five-Paragraph Essay: Template for College Writing
If your writers have already mastered the basic five-paragraph essay, consider introducing them to a broader application of this format. Writers consider sections instead of paragraphs, context/claim, and synthesis. Although no models...
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Rhythm, Verse and Rhyme: COMPOSING A LIST POEM
Students are provided an opportunity for self-expression. They collaborate with a partner and compose a list poem. Students practice reading and writing skills. They explore lists and catalogues--both elements of poetry and practical...
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Podcasting and the News
Students participate in a class discussion about pod casting. They access a podcast and practice using such features as pause, rewind, and fast-forward. They listen to a news podcast and complete a graphic organizer about what they have...
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Revising Pronouns and Antecedents
Students choose better pronouns to use in their writing. In this pronouns in writing lesson, students identify pronouns in their writing, then replace second person pronouns to improve their writing.
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Vocab-u-lous! Build a Fabulous Vocab
In this vocabulary building instructional activity, students enhance their personal vocabulary by learning words that begin with CH-blends. Students are allowed the use of dictionaries.
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English Skills: Vocabulary and Spelling Practice
Learners complete various activities using their spelling words, which are not provided on the worksheet. Activities include using spelling words alliteratively, finding synonyms, using words in sentences with specified parts of speech,...
University of Arizona
Language Registers
Do you speak to your parents the same way you speak to your friends? The differences between formal and informal language are highlighted in this exercise. Groups are asked to select a scenario and script different dialogues that might...
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Tornado Brainstorming
While the focus of this lesson is on writing about tornadoes, any topic could be substituted. The lesson provides a well-thought out overview of the writing process. Learners come up with a thesis statement, supporting details, and a...
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History Personified
In 1856 Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts over the head with a cane. This event, which highlighted the acrimonious debate over the expansion of slavery, is the focus of a paper...
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The Lead Paragraph - How to Hook the Reader in 25 Words or Less
For this reading and writing analysis worksheet, students read a sample letter that hooks the readers. The students then discuss and adjust three other writing samples to make them more interesting.
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You Be the Judge
In this reading analysis and writing analysis worksheet, students review their previous skills and judge a letter for its strengths and weaknesses. The three paragraph letter has some grammatical errors, but the goal is to determine the...
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Correspond, Don't Compliment
In this reading and writing analysis activity, students analyze reader's responses to authors. The goal is for students to determine if the letters are appropriate analytical correspondence or simply letters full of compliments.
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Bookends - How to Close Your Letter
For this reading and writing worksheet, students practice the skill of writing a concise document that includes a "bookended" beginning, middle, and concluding piece of writing. The students read national winning letters and compare the...
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MLA Documentation Exercises
Has your school adopted the MLA style for documentation? If so, use this worksheet to assess whether or not your class members know the rules. Young researchers complete of series of documentation exercises using the MLA format. They...
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Intermediate Paragraph Correction #8
If you are looking for a worksheet to challenge intermediate English learners on verb tense, syntax, and punctuation, you might want to check out this worksheet. Readers select the correct revisions to a passage in eight multiple choice...
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Run-On Sentences
Have you seen run-on sentences in your learners' writing lately? If you're looking to address this issue, you might use this run-on sentence handout as a reference sheet. This handout lists examples of run-on sentences as well as...
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The Learning Network: More Like Disney
A great source of high-interest reading for the language arts classroom! Meant to be used with an article also available on the New York Times website, this worksheet provides 10 comprehension questions about the reading as well as one...
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Advanced Spelling: Friendship
Secondary learners unscramble vocabulary terms associated with friendship and interpersonal relationships. The 13-question activity could be used with middle schoolers or older ELLs. High level vocabulary included!
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The Pledge of News
Students explore the fundamentals of news-gathering, the etiquette of reporting, and the rights a news writer/reporter has. They review the parts of a news story and write an article discussing their beliefs about the Pledge iof Allegiance.
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Public Speaking and Persuasion - Improve Your School!
Present vital information and persuade your audience. The class views and discusses two video segments regarding a Chinese school government election. They prepare and deliver persuasive speeches that require them to describe how they...
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Analyzing Persuasion
A reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech launches a study of rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, connotative language and parallel structure. Class members then...
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Graphic Organizing: Early American History
In collaborative groups, young US historians sort cards (each labeled with a single early American event or issue) according to which of the first four presidents was leading the country at the time. Learners copy the events onto a...
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Supreme Court Decisions on Freedom of Religion
What does freedom of religion mean? Analyze a series of Supreme Court cases where the First Amendment right to freedom of religion was put to the test. They discuss the cases' outcomes and argue whether the right decision was made....
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What is Plagiarism?
A little redundant, this quiz nonetheless drives the point home: don't plagiarize! Nearly all questions are hypothetical scenarios followed by "Is this plagiarism?" Reinforce this notion through a quick quiz online.