Writer's workshop is an idea that's been around for years. Students write, read, and comment on each others writing in an authentic and thoughtful way. Here is a 21st century twist, 6th graders will use the class blog to create a...

Here is lesson 5 from a 7 lesson unit on using blogging to create a community of writers. The aim of this lesson is to get students writing about what Archaeologists do and how they use material data to study the past. They compose a...

Evaluating a variety of narrative texts can help build strong writers. Pupils identify plot elements and their relation to personal experience, then apply what they gleaned from the class discussion to create their own narratives.

It's all about using peer resources in this writing process lesson, which includes a fantastic novel revision worksheet packet. Learners have read a partner's story draft the night before, and groups have a "lightning round of...

First graders practice visualization. In this reading and listening comprehension strategy visualization instructional activity, 1st graders close their eyes and listen to the teacher describe a familiar place, then draw what they...

Pupils investigate nonviolent lifestyles by researching the life of Gandhi.  For this journalism lesson, students define the word ahimsa and how important nonviolence is when solving conflicts.  Pupils create a timeline of...

Students read the story I Know a Lady by Charlotte Zolotow. They discuss the details from the story. Students draw an illustration of what they expect their Thanksgiving dinner table will look like. They list details that describe their...

Students recognize flags as a symbol through writing and imagery. In this artifact lesson, students investigate Tibetan prayer flags and their significance. Students create personal prayer flags and write about their life experience of...

Introduce your young readers to the book review. Groups of writers practice the basic steps of writing a book report and complete an Accordion-Book Summary activity. The lesson includes book report basics and directions to make...

Students participate in cross-curricular activities and readings to become familiar with the works of Brian Jacques. In this heroes lesson, students discuss the character traits of legends and how their characters develop through events...

Pupils write and illustrate a descriptive paragraph entitled "My Favorite Place" highlighting a dominate impression or dominant feeling in their paragraph.

Middle schoolers work with themes in this lesson, which is based on Fox by Margaret Wild. Because the book has multiple themes, it is a great way to transition into exploring literary analysis and writing stories. A Six Trait writing...

Students find the best part of their body. In this positive self-concept lesson plan, students listen to the story The Best Part of Me. They come up with their best feature and write a poem about it.  

High schoolers analyze and define the qualities of chivalry by comparing and contrasting the character of knights presented in the selected resources. They define and defend their own personal code of conduct. Students also create a...

Students create a monthly memory and compile it into a Kindergarten Memory Book.  In this memory book lesson, students create a monthly memory page.  Students create a graphic organizer in Kidspiration which is developed into a...

Fourth graders read the book Stellaluna and cite sentences that show cause and effect in the story. In this cause and effect lesson plan, 4th graders also write sentences that show cause and effect in their own lives.

Students use transitions to connect the beginning, middle and end of their writing. In this lesson on drafting a story, students use a graphic organizer sandwich to put pictures back together and recognize a specific order.

Students read the story Dog Breath and write their own story focusing on sequencing about an animal with a silly problem. In this writing lesson plan, students use memorable details and pacing in their story.

Sixth graders set and are encouraged to meet their reading goals and demonstrate knowledge of literary elements in this lesson.

After listening to the story, The Best Part of Me, learners will identify a positive physical feature of themselves, and create a descriptive poem about their favorite feature. Photographs are taken, and a nice final draft of the poem is...

Students write an adventure story about their vacation with a Beanie friend. They select a city, research its vacation possibilities and write about the places that they would like to visit.

Young scholars research the surrealism movement and its primary artists. Language is also analyzed, and students will create their own original poem utilizing surrealistic techniques.

Young scholars work with partner to look at and read pen pal letters. Students identify, highlight, and discuss five parts of friendly letter, including heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature, and write their own friendly...

Students in a teacher education program write their own children's book. Using books already written, they review age appropriate for their grade level placement. They write their own story and illustrate it using various software...