Beyond Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, tall tales can be a great way to teach young writers about word choice and voice in their writing. Using Jerry Spinelli's Maniac Magee  and the Six-Trait Writing process, they begin to write...

Students listen to the story about  a naughty dog who writes to his owner in letter form. In this writing a letter lesson plan, students pretend to write to a character in the story and practice their literacy skills. Students then...

Students read literature, write poetry, plays, or explore historical information containing characters with strong emotions. After sketching a picture of the main character, they create a soft sculpture face. Students attach a the head...

Students become familiar with the origins of the tall tale.  In this Tall tale technology lesson, students complete worksheets to plan a tall tale.  Students write their tall tales and put it on the computer in KidPix.

Fourth graders use dance moves to perform narratives. In this dramatic performing lesson, 4th graders use strong and soft movements to show what character's voice is portraying. Students also use movement to show the feelings in the...

Students examine the characteristics of tall tales and how exaggerations are used. They create a character that is larger than life, they brainstorm attributes for their character, before writing a Tall Tale. They plan out their story,...

Students investigate Johnny Appleseed.  In this cross curriculum literacy and U.S. history lesson, students listen to Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg, and dictate important events in his life as the teacher writes them on index...

Want to see the best lesson is the entire universe? Who doesn't love to exaggerate now and then? Get your class cozy with hyperbole as you read the story My Dad by Anthony Browne. During the reading you'll chart and analyze the...

Fourth graders, using Microsoft Word, create a notice of a lost pet flyer. They use a border, exaggerated fonts, colors and clip art.

Students write songs about something incredible they have experienced or know about. They consider topics of events, dreams, ideas, feelings, or animals. They accompany themselves with small musical instruments while performing the songs...

Students recognize the use of exaggeration and understand how it may enhance the story, painting, conversation or event. Students transfer their understanding of exaggeration as it is used in many places, ie., daily life, paintings,...

Students explore the origins of folktales, fairytales, myths, legends, fables, and folktales in the ten lessons of this unit. A storytelling festival is held to feature the results of the variety of activities presented in the unit.

Students define the term hyperbole and determine when it is appropriate to use hyperboles in writing. They work in pairs to develop short stories and poems with examples of hyperboles.

Elementary schoolers read many tall tales. They create their own tall tale about a specific event of their choosing. They must act the part of the author. This well-designed lesson takes three class sessions to complete, and is...

In need of a really good instructional activity that incorporates literature, art, and cultural themes? After hearing a traditional Chinese folktale and discussing cultural themes and symbolism, learners create original illustrations for...

Caricature drawing is fun, and can help learners explore the principle of design and content specific vocabulary. They view a video and books that use character drawings, discuss vocabulary such as exaggeration, proportion, and symmetry,...

Students discuss the difference betwen two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional art. In this art lesson, students discuss what symmetry or balance is in art and construct a symmetrical and an asymmetrical mobile.

Pupils analyze Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. They view and discuss artworks by Warhol, Lichenstein, Pollack, and Kandinsky, research a specific artist, and create an art piece in the style of their chosen artist.

Pupils are introduced to Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art using both print materials, Take 5 Art prints and the Illusion4 Palm OS program. They complete a research and art production project that focuses on one artist from the two art...