Family and friendship are two very important themes of the historical fiction novel The Orphan of Ellis Island by Elvira Woodruff. From video clips and writing prompts to reader's theater and family interviews, this resource...

To conclude a unit on family life and sexual health (FLASH), class members use the skills they have practiced in previous lessons to develop strategies for getting information or help when they need it.

What makes a story interesting? Complex characters! As part of a series of worksheets that prepares middle schoolers to write their own novel, the exercises included explain the role of the protagonist, the antagonist, and the supporting...

Many developmentally disabled students struggle with accurately conveying messages and interpreting those of others around them, especially when they are non-verbal. This lesson plan contains fun activities and exercises, such as talking...

What a great way to present this topic! While a little difficult to follow, this instructional activity provides great ideas for a second grade instructional activity involving butterfly lifecycles. Learners make drawings of butterflies,...

This story is bound to motivate your class. Learners read a story called Elena by Diane Stanley. The story is about a young woman who marries for love but is soon widowed during the Mexican Revolution. She takes her children to...

The Summer of the Swans, by Betsy Byars, is a 160-page chapter book about a family going through a difficult time. Complement your reading of Byars' book with this detailed outline of each chapter. Every section includes comprehension...

Really a unit, this resource exposes middle schoolers to genetics at their level. They read interviews and biographies, trace a family tree, play games that simulate inheritance concepts, and more! Teacher's procedures, student...

Trying to find a way to begin your Antigone unit? Use this lesson to introduce your class to the background of Oedipus and Antigone, as well as the historical context. They view a PowerPoint presentation about Oedipus and the story...

High schoolers practice appropriate verbal and non-verbal methods of asking for what they want in a activity designed for the special education classroom.

Decision making, including decisions that are made for us by others, decisions that are easy to make, and those that are not are the focus of a skill-building lesson plan that provides class members with a four-step decision-making...

Discuss the work of Matthew Henson, an African American who traveled to the North Pole with Robert Peary. After reading the story "Matthew Henson" by Maryann N. Weidt, learners answer questions by drawing inferences and conclusions,...

Explore the story The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph using this resource. Learners answer comprehension questions, fill in graphic organizers, and write a poem.

Looking to introduce some text-based questions into your ELA lessons? Practice the kinds of skills the Common Core demands with the seven text-based questions and the essay prompt provided here. Designed to be a three-day lesson, day one...

Uncover new or more relevant information with the filtering tools in the top navigation bar. First, show your class the tools and demonstrate how to use a few. Next, give class members some time to apply what they have learned. They can...

Primary source research, secondary source readings, and discussion provide the understanding necessary for students to create a colonial persona, and simulate a situation appropriate for this person, time, and place. While the lesson...

As part of a unit devoted to the study of autobiographies, this one-day library session focuses on developing research skills. Class members locate and properly cite a sketch of a Creative Commons image, as well as record the call...