Class members conclude their reading of The House on Mango Street with an assignment that asks them to compose letters to characters using their own voices or that of another character in Cisneros' story.

Chief Seatle's "Letter to President Pierce, 1855" provides the text for a skills exercise that asks readers to consider how writers use metaphors to contribute to the meaning and impact of a work. Participants then apply what they have...

Students read the story "Ten Black Dots." They brainstorm what you can do with dots. Students create a picture and a story with ten dots. They discuss how a computer uses dots. Additional ideas are listed for cross curriculum.

Learners brainstorm possible replacements for blanks in a cloze activity. They work in groups to decide which of their possible replacements are prefered for each blank. They then prepare to present their ideas of the text to the class...

Students demonstrate the steps of the creative writing process. In this creative writing lesson, students brainstorm ways to come up with an initial idea and ways to express their ideas. Students write a description of their idea and a...

Learners create a digital newspaper. In this digital newspaper instructional activity, students review the sections of a newspaper and brainstorm ideas for their paper. Learners complete a schools news report, student interview, opinion...

Students explore the news sources at their school in order to write stories that reflect what's going on in all communities and to identify what makes a good story. In this news writing activity, students journal about what makes a...

Students explore fire safety. In this fire prevention and safety lesson, students discuss and brainstorm ideas about what to do if there is a fire. Students practice stating information that should be given when calling 911. Students...

Third graders use the Decision Tree strategy to brainstorm ideas about two decisions that must be made. They predict what will happen in the rest of the story. Students discuss the time period the story takes place in. They study the...

Learners develop a newspaper headline based on factual events obtained from viewing a Florida Archives film clip. They brainstorm ideas and prepare a rough draft of their headline. They post headlines around the room for the entire class...

Youngsters learn about community through exploration of their own neighborhood.In this lesson about community, students create a community in their classroom. Students think about what their community looks like by making a map. Students...

Middle schoolers brainstorm ideas about a librarian and their responsiblities and abilities to assist them then they complete an assignment tracking form in class. They record and reflect on information seeking activity then discuss...

Pupils listen as the teacher reads several poems from the book "Hailstones and Halibut Bones," "My Many Colored Days," and a teacher created poem. Students choose a color and share some brainstorming ideas with the class. They write a...

Learners visit the Design for the Other 90% exhibition. In this design instructional activity, student learn how to design for the population of the world that is poor or impoverished. In addition, students read New York Times articles...

First graders see that some written text is for pleasure and enjoyment while some is for relaying information. They get to experience both types during the instructional activity. They brainstorm ideas for a story about a new kid in...

Students discuss their opinions about war.  In this political science lesson, students use a video about war to analyze their own ideas about war.  They discuss the terminology Shakespeare used in reference to war, and examine...

Students illustrate a creative adventure idea. In this arts and crafts lesson, students design drawings based on where they would like to go for an adventure. Before creating their illustrations, students brainstorm the...

Whose responsibility is it to protect equal rights? Class members engage in a series of activities that create awareness of the prejudice and intolerance persons with disabilities face. They then create a message addressed to their...

Young scholars map the ideas, people, and beliefs of a period of history. They analyze influences of historical eras. Students use mapping as a prewriting strategy. They use Inspiration to map the key events, ideas, and personalities...

Students write a math story.  In this math operations and writing lesson, students work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for a math story, write a rough draft, revise their story, edit their story and add clip art.  Students...

Students study ancient Greek civilization. In this World history lesson, students locate Greece on a world map and review what the ancient Greeks did when they developed new ideas for government, science, philosophy, religion,...

Students brainstorm a list of electrical devices used in their home. They read an article about electricity usage in a heat wave. In groups, they create public service announcements promoting energy conservation. They share their ideas...

Students design tiles that represent their community. They discuss ideas with another class through email. They then create the tiles, fire them, and attach them to a masonite board to create a community mural.

Students choose books to preserve for future generations.  Students are given a scenario in which they are allowed to save only five books for future generations.  Students write a persuasive letter in which they try to...