Thinking about introducing your middle schoolers to reading log journals? Try the approach suggested by this resource. After reading to the class an article or portion of a novel, demonstrate a Think Aloud and then model how to transform...

Need a sponge activity? This is a simple game-like activity that can be completed in 5 to 10 minutes and helps young learners practice question asking and reasoning skills. The teacher hides a common classroom object from the class and...

Imagine the surprise when small groups present their Evidence Charts to the class and discover that each group has studied a different version of the Cinderella story. Irish, Ojibwa, Egyptian, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Mexican, and...

Seventh graders explore the origins of baseball.  In this Geography lesson, 7th graders compare Korean baseball teams with other countries.  Students create a map of all the baseball teams around the world.

Learners analyze piece of literature for symbolism and create a bookmark containing an illustration of the symbolism in it, a quote that shows the symbolism and an explanation of how this symbolism enhances the work.

Third graders make a presentation or a booklet to help class learn about rain forest animals. They sketch or use a few words to describe the picture that goes with the facts. They use the computer to make a presentation or use...

Students read a poem and use the TPCASTT strategy for analysis. For this poetry analysis lesson, students journal about their future goals and read John Updike's "Ex-Basketball Player." Students discuss the purpose of the poem and...

Students conduct Internet research to investigate the facts and fiction of various unsolved mysteries. They examine the facts and opinions of the mysteries, and create a Powerpoint slide show to present the theories and the group's...

Learners explore similes through Quick as a Cricket. In this similes lesson plan, students investigate what a simile is and recognize them when they see them. Learners write similes about themselves and illustrate...

Students examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope lesson plan, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Students also build knowledge on how compound...

Young scholars create stories using only pictures.  In this visual storytelling lesson plan, students read Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie de Paola and analyze the wordless story.  Young scholars create new text for the book by...

Young scholars become familiar with appropriate containers for various shapes.  In this container lesson, students find containers that best fit their object. 

Students explore basic shapes in Monet's paintings Wheatstacks, Snow Effect and Morning. They study about light and shadows through reading and experimenting with three-dimensional models and flashlights.

Middle schoolers will examine advertisements, explore ways to inform, locate pictures of Hemingway, read sports articles, and follow directions to create a finished project - a newspaper. their newspapers are multifaceted with not only...

Learners brainstorm and discuss the concept of cryptography, the science of secrets in today's world and then focus on a system for sending secret messages used by Julius Caesar. They make a Caesar wheel assessing encrypting and...

Students explore triptychs.  In this art history lesson, students define the terms "photograph" and "triptych".  Students discuss changes that occur between mothers and daughters and create an original triptych using...

Students explore language arts by reading Dr. Seuss stories in class. In this word play lesson, students identify the rhymes in both Dr. Seuss and Nursery Rhyme stories. Students utilize flash cards with rhymes written on them to play a...

Students construct and interpret a "favorite classroom books" graph. In this literacy and math graphing instructional activity, students choose a reduced size copy of the book cover that corresponds with the book(s) they chose to read...

Students explore new authors and genres they might like to read. The understand the ingredients of a book review. They write book reviews using persuasive language to recommend books.

Students submit their newsletter articles and a newsletter team proofreads them. Revisions are suggested. Writers revise their articles. Using a template from a word processing program, articles are typed in final form.

Learners explore the world of geometric shapes by writing poetry. They use the Diamante Poetry worksheet. They select one geometric shape and, using the template, create their own poem.

Students retell a memorized nursery rhyme. In this early public speaking activity, students retell a familiar nursery rhyme with the help of visual prompts.