Pennsylvania Department of Education
Writing with Beans
Students become familiar with the letters in a word by pasting beans on it. In this Bean writing lesson, students make words using navy beans. Students color or paint the beans.
Curated OER
Reformation History: A Comparative Study
Students explore the views of Catholics, Lutherans and the Reformed Church. In this reformation lesson plan, students participate in a class discussion of the three religions, then complete an activity.
Curated OER
Writing Book Reviews
Young scholars 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.
Curated OER
The Job Application
Learners complete job applications. In this written communication lesson, students discuss the purpose of job applications and then complete job applications in their field.
Curated OER
Descriptive Words
Students use descriptive words in writing. For this descriptive words lesson, students learn to show instead of tell. Students enter into a discussion of adjectives and adverbs, then add descriptive words to sentences to make vivid word...
Curated OER
Literature and Interactive Writing: "Plenty of Penguins"
Pupils listen to and discuss the story elements of the story "Plenty of Penguins." They discuss the elements of reality and fantasy, and as a class write two sentences on small dry erase boards in the form of a letter to the teacher in...
Curated OER
KidPix Writing Web
Students review using a web as a graphic organizer for a writing topic and watch as teacher demonstrates creating ovals, circles, arrows, and text on KidPix or Word. They work individually or in groups to create a writing web, using text...
Curated OER
Cameras and Careers
Applying photography basics they learn for this project, first graders take pictures of an adult at work focusing on the tools used, the work site, and job responsibilities. After making a career book that includes photos and...
Virginia Department of Education
Identifying Audience and Purpose
Use a fun and creative activity to introduce junior high learners to how writing changes for different audiences and purposes. The activity begins with a reading by the instructor where teens visualize a food fight in the cafeteria. In...
Social Media Toolbox
Social Media Roles
Social media has changed the news publishing process, so how does it affect school news publications? Lesson nine in a 16-part series titled The Social Media Toolbox explores the traditional publishing roles through the lens of social...
Inside Mathematics
Conference Tables
Pupils analyze a pattern of conference tables to determine the number of tables needed and the number of people that can be seated for a given size. Individuals develop general formulas for the two growing number patterns and...
Virginia Department of Education
Creating Thesis Sentences
Growing writers explore what it takes to develop and support a thesis statement with pre-fabricated ideas provided by the Virginia Department of Education. Learners take notes on what makes a thesis statement and a topic sentence, and...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Recognizing Change (Observation vs. Inference)
What is the difference between making inferences and making observations? Young climatologists refer to a PowerPoint to make observations on each slide. They record their observations in a provided worksheet before drawing a...
Curated OER
Poetry Passport
Passport photos are notoriously unflattering but here's an activity that encourages youngsters to create a poetic picture of themselves using each category on the passport as a prompt for a poem.
Workforce Solutions
Customized Resumes
Resumes are key to the job search process. Class members examine sample job postings and critique sample resumes to understand how to craft a strong resume.
Virginia Department of Education
Using Specific Vocabulary and Collaboration
Develop concepts on how to change your improving wordsmiths' writing from blah to wow with the activities and ideas in this resource. The instructor provides the class with examples of writing that lacks detail and precision, and then...
Balanced Assessment
Dinner Date
Determine just how far to run before dinner. The short assessment asks pupils to determine the distance a person can jog in the time left before dinner. To answer the question, scholars determine the distance if the person jogs one...
Australian Centre For the Moving Image
Dreamworks Animation Character Design
Dive into animation creation using Dreamworks® animated films. Compare and contrast characters, wonder and ponder why the plot is so important, and think of background and themes as your creativity unrolls onto paper.
Curated OER
Basic Feature Interviewing
Students act as reporters to develop interview skills. In this interview lessons, students develop the skills needed to use anecdotes and quotes to make an interview interesting. They practice asking questions over and above the 5 W's so...
Curated OER
Comparing North American Colonies Vs. Britain
Fifth graders practice creative writing by describing events from the Colonial era. In this U.S. History lesson, 5th graders identify King George III and George Washington, the roles they played, and the differences between...
Curated OER
Le School Sac
Learners critique their own school bag by sketching and writing a detailed description of it. In this creative design lesson, students then design a more efficient carrier for their school supplies on paper. Learners explain to their...
Curated OER
Barney Bear Gets Dressed
Students identify colors and use descriptive words to create a book about a bear. In this lesson on using descriptive language, students listen to a story and help the teacher explain what happened. Students then participate in...
Curated OER
Recycling
Students read or listen to a story, and discuss how it relates to them. In this personal event writing activity, students write about recycling. Students read "The Giving Tree" a Shel Silverstein poem and discuss the poem's meaning....
Curated OER
Tall Tale Rollers
Young scholars explore American tall tales. In this tall tale lesson plan, students discover the six characteristics that are included in tall tales. Young scholars survey their class to find each student's favorite tall tale character...