Curated OER
Recycling and Resources
Sixth graders examine ways to conserve natural resources. In this environmental instructional activity, 6th graders read the book Just a Dream and discuss the natural resources that they recycle. Students brainstorm ways to conserve...
Curated OER
Sorting "Good" Junk (Recycling)
Second graders study recycling. In this environment instructional activity, 2nd graders discuss how to sort trash, sort actual trash labeling it, and explore the trash writing new uses of each item of trash instead of...
Curated OER
Seasons of the Year
Students explore season change. In this season change instructional activity ,students investigate weather events, Earth's movement and celestial events. Students watch videos and list weather events that happen in winter, spring,...
Curated OER
Ants
Third graders study the habits and habitats of ants. They research the use of technology as a valuable investigation tool and access other web sites for future research projects. The students make successful decisions while playing SimAnt.
Curated OER
Caldecott Medal Winners
In this Caldecott medal winners worksheet, students read the list of Caldecott medal winners. Students read the year, book, and author for years 1938 through 2008.
Curated OER
Polar Express Lesson Plan
Students write and illustrate a wish for the first gift of Christmas. In this Christmas lesson plan, students read the book The Polar Express and then write what they wish could be the first gift of Christmas.
Curated OER
Using Alliteration in The Z was Zapped
Students discuss alliteration and how it is used in the book The Z Was Zapped. Students choose a letter and create alliterative sentences and illustrate the letter.
Curated OER
Why Should We Clean The Beach?
Students volunteer for the International Coastal Cleanup. They describe the purpose of the Lake Michigan Foundation and a history of the dunes. They reflect on their experiences with writing.
Curated OER
The Polar Express
Young scholars listen to the picture book, The Polar Express, and review events that happened in the story. Students draw pictures of what they might have seen on the way to the north pole.
Curated OER
Express Yourself!
Students explore reading with expression. They practice reading fluency and changing speed, pitch and volume while reading. Students read Di and Mice, Bo and Rose, Stu's Tune. They practice reading using expression and fill out the...
Curated OER
Preposition Openers
For this prepositions worksheet, students write a P for prepositions at the end of one of the 3 sentences. Students complete 7 sentences.
Curated OER
ABC It's Easy as 1..2..3..
Students listen to an alphabet book. They explore initial sounds throught the creation of a classroom ABC book. This instructional activity requires a program application, "Pixie."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Books: Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg
This comprehensive teacher's guide for the book "Zathura" by Chris Van Allsburg provides us with an opportunity to examine how writers blend scientific information with a fictional story.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Jumanji
This site on the book "Jumanji" by Chris Van Allsburg, includes a review of the book, a listing of things to notice and talk about, activities related to the book, other related books, and links to other resources.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Teaching Point of View With Two Bad Ants
Contains plans for two lessons that teach point of view using the book "Two Bad Ants" by Chris Van Allsburg and titles from the from the "Look Once, Look Again" series by David M. Schwartz. In addition to objectives and standards, this...
Read Works
Read Works: Predicting 2nd Grade Unit
[Free Registration/Login Required] A series of three lesson plans designed to teach students to use textual clues and prior knowledge to make predictions and revise incorrect predictions. Lessons are based on the books The Stories Huey...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Writing Activity: Harris Burdick Stories
After reading The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, by Chris Van Allsburg, students create their own stories about the pictures. By navigating the Internet, students learn more about the writing process to help them create their stories.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Jet, Set, Go! Travel Google Earth in Ben's Dream
This lesson uses the picture book by Chris Van Allsburg Ben's Dream with Google Earth to highlight ten major landmarks of the world. After reading and discussing Ben's Dream, students "travel" to each location using the free software...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin: The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
Explore this informative teachers' guide for the book, "The Garden of Abdul Gasazi," by Chris Van Allsburg. Students and teachers will enjoy this comprehensive source.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin: Teacher's Guide to "The Polar Express" [Pdf]
This teachers' guide for "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg has lessons designed for both early elementary and intermediate students. It includes working with a timeline and learning about similes and metaphors. (In PDF format.)
Read Works
Urban Education: Exchange: Read Works: 3rd Grade Lesson: Fantasy
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson in which students use the book Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg and fantasy texts from the classroom library to learn about the characteristics that define fantasy. Lesson includes direct...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Two Bad Ants Realism vs. Fiction Writing
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart was designed to accompany Scott Foresman Reading- 3rd grade- Unit 6- Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg. It covers a variety of reading strategies, including making predictions, context...