Curated OER
Beatrix Potter's Naughty Animal Tales
Students gain insight into the unusual, solitary world of Beatrix Potter's Victorian childhood and can compare/contrast it with their own world to explain why Potter wrote such simple stories and why she wrote about animals rather than...
Curated OER
Spin Me a Story
Young scholars examine the motif of spinning and weaving in myths and folktales. They read various myths, complete a WebQuest, develop a mind map of story elements, and write an original "spider" story.
Curated OER
Beyond Louisiana
Young scholars examine the challenges that faced the United States as a new nation, especially those related to exploration, expansion, and international affairs. They study the chronology of events related to the expedition of Lewis and...
Curated OER
Reporting Live from the 20th Century!
Students read and write newspaper articles. In this newspaper article writing lesson, students collect and share current news articles, examine how they are written, then choose an event from the 20th century and write their own news story.
Curated OER
Pilgrims: The First Americans
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time. In this Thanksgiving lesson, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a...
Curated OER
Character Traits: Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear
Lensey Namioka’s Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear provides an opportunity for young readers to observe how writers bring their characters to life. Each class member selects a character to trace through the novel, recording...
Curated OER
Sticks, Stones, Sinews and Stuff: How Early People Used the Environment to Meet Basic Needs
Students create an artifact. In this early survival lesson plan, students use found objects to create an artifact that could have been used to help early people meet their basic needs.
Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Summer
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Curated OER
Planning a Road Trip!
Students generate plans for a fictitious road trip. For this time management lesson, students investigate the most effective way to travel the country arriving at specific cities. Students create their plans based on time and...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Intervention for Reading: Group Story Mapping
This intervention, which is based on Schema Theory, emphasizes linking previous knowledge structures (schemata) with reading materials. A pre-reading technique (see "My Story Map") provides a framework that directs students' attention to...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Story Elements
During this lesson, students will analyze what distinguishes the stories they love. Reading and reviewing their favorite books will help students begin to identify elements of a story. Students have the opportunity to navigate the...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Primary Technology Maps
This hands-on, inquiry-based lesson combines maps skills which include identifying map elements, applying an understanding of cardinal directions, interpreting resource maps, and identifying a location. Students will have the opportunity...
Florida Center for Reading Research
Florida Center for Reading Research: Narrative Text Structure: Retell a Story [Pdf]
A lesson plan in which young scholars read a narrative text and complete graphic organizers to map the story. Materials are included.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Let's Get to Know Big Al
During this lesson the students will read and discuss the story Big Al, by Andrew Clements. Students will identify the story elements of Big Al and complete a story element map. Students will also do a character analysis of Big Al.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Story Writing With Arthur
This series of 12 downloadable activities teach students some basics of story writing, using books or videos from the PBS "Arthur" series as a springboard. Activities include creating story maps, asking questions about characters and...