Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5: Structure of an Argument
Imagine a cross-curricular project that not only rewards learners for examining the textbooks used in their other classes but builds literacy skills as well! Groups compare the formats and writing style in their various textbooks. Teams...
Curated OER
Finding Comfort in an Unfamiliar Landscape
Learners recognize the writings of a prominent American writer. They analyze written text making connections to personal prior experience. Students discuss in small and large groups their findings. They organize ideas in writing using...
Curated OER
Portraiture
Students analyze portraiture for their symbolic aspects. For this portraiture analysis lesson, students explore the conventions of portraiture such as costume, gesture, expression, pose, and background. Students analyze how symbols add...
Curated OER
Verbs Rule!
Students practice writing and speaking using conventional grammar, usage, and sentence structure. Students practice as a whole class and then demonstrate their knowledge in written activities. Handouts and worksheets are imbedded within...
Curated OER
Paul Revere's Ride
Third graders read and discuss the selection "Paul Revere's Ride" (included with the lesson). Students imagine they live in one of the villages that Paul Revere stopped. They are awakened by his knock on the door. Students write an essay...
Curated OER
Conventions: Adjectives
Fifth graders study adjectives. For this grammar lesson, 5th graders name a particular person at the school describing that person with adjectives and describe a charcter from a book read using adjectives as well.
Curated OER
Happy Holidays
Students create holiday story while working in cooperative learning groups, using Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express as a writing prompt.
Curated OER
I Am a Book
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
National Endowment for the Humanities
"Old Southwest" Humorists and George Washington Harris
Young scholars discover the work of George Washington Harris and his influence on American humor. For this George Washington Harris lesson, discuss cultural differences in the United States and read Sut Lovongwood stories by George...
Curated OER
Welcome to Our Classroom
Students create a brochure for new students. In this writing process lesson, students brainstorm, create and edit ideas for making a brochure for new students. Students use a word processor to make the brochure and edit, copy, move, and...
Curated OER
What's in the Box
Second graders verbalize, write, and illustrate descriptive vocabulary words and/or descriptive phrases while attempting to guess an unseen object, which has been hidden in a box by teacher.
Curated OER
Dear Future Writing Assignment
Students write a letter to future residents of their town to complete a time capsule activity. In this letter writing instructional activity, students discuss the ideas of past, present, and future and review writing conventions....
Curated OER
Target Audience
Students explore and describe various persuasive tools used in advertisements, analyze advertisements provided by teacher, and identify target audiences. Students then work in groups to find advertisements aimed at assigned target...
Curated OER
The Correct Use of the Articles "A" and "An"
Students discover the grammatical rules regarding articles. In this grammar instructional activity, students study the rule regarding the use of "a" and "an" in writing. Students are encouraged to discover the rule on their own and apply...
Curated OER
Time Management
Students are taken through the design process to develop a system of time management for themselves and others. They practice participating in a critique of other students' time schedules and modify and improve their initial time...
Curated OER
A Little Fun with Adjectives
Students examine the rules for the use and formation of adjectives and play a game of tic-tac-toe to determine the correct form of the word to be used.
Curated OER
Setting Goals for Success
Students construct SMART goals. In this goal-setting lesson, students discover how to write a SMART goal for their student portfolios. Working in pairs students write short-term goals that will build towards a long-term goal.
Curated OER
Trip to Mount Vernon
Students compare and contrast travel in the 18th century with current methods of travel by participating in a simulated trip to Mount Vernon. In this US history lesson, students write a letter to George Washington for permission to visit...
Curated OER
Covering the Campaign Trail: Technological Progress or Temporary Chaos?
Learners study the changes in reporting and journalism techniques that have evolved due to advances in technology by reading an online transcript. They debate whether the technological advances are positive or negative in the reporting...
Curated OER
Writing the Position Paper
Students write position papers on a form of alternative energy production. They use several class periods to develop and write their paper and them participate in an extensive peer review session.
Curated OER
Basic Letter Response to a Writing Prompt
Students respond to a writing prompt using appropriate letter format. For this letter writing lesson, students discuss the format for letter writing and use the worksheet format to write the heading, inside address, and salutation....
Curated OER
Families: Different and the Same
Learners compare varying family structures. In this family structures lesson, students write a book about their family. Learners read The House on Mango Street.
Curated OER
Where No Student Has Gone Before
Students create a story about an unknown planet invaded by humans as a pre-reading activity for the novel, A Wrinkle In Time. They discuss good versus evil, and identify examples of the theme good vs. evil in books, film, and their own...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust (High School)
Fourth graders read Hesse's "Out of the Dust". They respond to questions about the novel and write a free-verse poem modeled after the author's.