Fourth graders read a selection describing 13 virtues from "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." They keep track of their behavior and whether or not they can keep up with 5 chosen virtues. They write a 5 paragraph essay on their...

Fourth graders study Chaucer as a master of details. Then, they create a short story linking unrelated details into a logical plot with a clear setting and established characters. This instructional activity has some excellent worksheets...

Third graders relate the concept of individuality of geometric shapes to the individuality of topic sentences. They write and revise a persuasive argument essay using an established rubric.

Third graders research the different aspects of the human heart. Groups work through steps to create a multimedia slide presentation. The presentation must follow pre-set criteria.

Fifth graders collect data about regions of the United States using the Internet, library books, and encyclopedias. They write an essay persuading people to visit their state.

Twelfth graders decide on a topic and write a whole newspaper on that topic. The newpaper also needs to include illustrations and advertisements.

Students use a word bank to help them do their writing and reading. The idea is that they would keep adding to this list as they move from grade to grade.

Second graders create original complete sentences to describe an ocean picture under the sea. After a lecture/demo, 2nd graders use a software program to create their own undersea scene, complete with pictures and writing.

Learners read a current science article. They write a summary of the article, take notes, write and edit a summary, and print their work.

Young scholars create travel brochures that detail various people and places that are encountered on the way to Chaucer's Canterbury.

Third graders read "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest L. Thayer and create a newspaper article about Casey's infamous at-bat.

Third graders create a multimedia slide presentation containing facts, graphics, and sounds relating to a biographical figure based on their reading of a biography or an autobiography. They present their slide presentations before the...

Third graders read, discuss, and memorize the poem "Jenny Kissed Me." as an example of lyrical poetry. They write a letter to Jenny reliving the memory of her kiss from an elderly person's point of view. They illustrate their poems.

Students rewrite newspaper employment ads using complete sentences.

First graders distinguish between living and nonliving objects, and compare living organisms and nonliving objects.

Third graders demonstrate knowledge of adjectives, and use this knowledge to color-code parts of speech of a sentence.

Students listen to and discuss various fables, and identify the moral and central themes. They write their own personal fables and create illustrations to go with them.

Third graders prepare an oral report using Appleworks to present information on their animal. They write a short narrative comparing and contrasting their animal to another students and, after watching other presentations, discuss what...

Fourth graders list five facts about an assigned animal, and complete a bird beak activity, using pliers, blunt pencils, forceps, clothespins, and a spoon that represent different types of beaks; students complete chart showing best type...

Students create a greeting card from one character to another after finishing a novel. Individually, they use their imagination to write the paragraph using the text to support their ideas. They share their greeting card with the class...

This short, but informative, presentation does a good job of teaching valuable skills associated with editing writing. Learners practice editing pieces of writing, and are introduced to powerful verbs and adverbs to make writing more...

Students create a letter requesting information from a local vocational agency using word processing software. They send the finished letter to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Introduce your young readers to the book review. Groups of writers practice the basic steps of writing a book report and complete an Accordion-Book Summary activity. The instructional activity includes book report basics and directions...

Save time by downloading a template for peer editing. Included, you will find a one-form-per-page format and a four-forms-per-page format.