What do the words alligator, armadillo, and cockroach all have in common? Each one is an English word with Spanish origins. Introduce young etymologists to the joys of discovering word origins with a lesson that asks them to create a...

Antarctica is actually a desert. Using the novel study that explores Mr. Popper's Penguins, pupils find four of their own interesting facts about the amazing continent. They also practice putting words in alphabetical order and answer...

Many of the world's most inspirational sayings are attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. Using the No Talking novel study, pupils research and write about one of his sayings. Additionally, they practice alliteration and write a quintet that...

Students identify lightning words from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to complete definition and synonym activities. In this word study lesson, students discuss lighting words and read a Mark Twain quote. Students then read specific...

Learners use events and biographies from their state's history and U.S. history, to create a dictionary of terms for citizens of a democracy.

Students locate Africa and share their knowledge of the continent, then read a news article about Oprah Winfrey building a school in South Africa. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...

Students brainstorm criteria for reliablility, currency, and accuracy of information. They research a given topic, write a research report then develop a bibliography of sources for the research report using the designated format.

Students brainstorm a list of inventions that have affected their lives. In groups, they use the internet to research a specific inventor and their invention. They use the information to write two paragraphs and share their information...

First graders copy words onto index cards. They glue the index cards onto a large sheet of paper in alphabetical order.

Students participate in various shared reading and writing activities related to the book "My Body" by Rhonda Jenkins. They identify and list words that could be used to label other body parts in the book, draw a picture of their face...

Students use an internet dictionary to produce a glossary of words related to a particular subject area being studied. They choose the correct meaning of the word for their glossary, based on it's relationship to the subject matter being...

Students create an alphabetized list about their favorite topic using the Alphabet Poem Brainstorming worksheet or creating a list on the board with the class. They think of a word that starts with their letters that relates to the...

Students create a book of biographies in order to profile famous Olympic athletes through history. In this biography writing instructional activity, students research information about historic Olympians, first by listening to a short...

First graders work as a group to generate and play a game that displays an understanding of developmental level reading vocabulary based on a grade level checklist. This instructional activity really engages the creative side of your...

Students create vocabulary words and a variety of spelling exercises, using the H.I.P Pocket Change website.

Young scholars write the "word for the day" onto a note card. They add a definition, discuss in class and file the card in their own metal box. At the end of the week students play a game with the words from that week.

Second graders demonstrate how to use reference materials. In this library media lesson, 2nd graders are introduced to the encyclopedia and are shown how to use the encyclopedia as a reference. Students use encyclopedias to complete a...

High schoolers use their local telephone directory to locake information on a service provider.They write a descriptive paragraph based on the location of their service provider and the service they provide. This lesson is intended for...

Learners research a world leader from a specified list. Students create a PowerPoiint or a Microsoft Word document which should include a recent photo, labeled with the leader's name and title.

Students use the dictionary and thesaurus and are able to explain a definition in their own words.

Learners 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.