Curated OER
"Swamp Monsters" by Mary Blount Christian
Using the book Swamp Monsters by Mary Blount Christian, young readers discuss key vocabulary terms and make predictions about swamp monsters. They complete a Cloze activity, explore past-tense verbs, and categorize vocabulary words.
Curated OER
Transport and Dialect
Cultivating an interest in native dialects and how they differ from Standard English is an excellent introduction to the study of language. This resource looks at the dialectic words of the British Isles that are used for methods of...
Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.5
What would happen if I structured this review by beginning in the middle of it? Or by flashing back to the dinner I had last night that gave me bad heartburn, and then transitioned into how the lingering burn of acid seeped into my...
Curated OER
Anne Frank and Louisiana - There is a Connection!
How is Louisiana connected to the Holocaust? After reading The Diary of Anne Frank, eighth graders complete a research report about a survivor of the Holocaust who currently resides in Louisiana. Though the idea is a good way to...
Curated OER
Silly Story Starters
Fifth graders brainstorm some ideas for each of the columns. As they call them out, write some on the sticky notes until each sticky note is used for each column They stay in the same groups; have each group draw one sticky note from...
Curated OER
100 Questions
Gather around to play a game! Middle and high schoolers answer questions (provided here) using various reference materials. Bring encyclopedias and other reference materials to class, as each group has limited Internet access! An answer...
Curated OER
Choose Your Words Wisely
Improve word choice! Writers use dictionaries and thesauruses to aid them in choosing exciting words to incorporate in their writing. They rewrite sentences and practice identifying words that can be replaced using a better word....
Teaching Tolerance
The Power of Words: Normative Sexuality
Young scholars collect newspaper articles which discuss societies who enforce heterosexuality. They brainstorm how heterosexuality is enforced in their community. They answer questions to end the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Totally Trivial - "A"
High school students can hone their research skills by utilizing the Internet to find the answers to the trivia questions presented in this on-line instructional activity. All sorts of questions are posed: everything from questions about...
Curated OER
Growing Poems
Young scholars write garden inspired poetry. In this poetry lesson plan, students go out into the garden and write poems about how they feel, what they see, and what is going on in the garden.
Curated OER
Paradise Lost: Identifying Vocabulary
“The mind is its own place. . .” and Milton’s Paradise Lost is sure to expand the vocabulary (and the minds) of young readers. Assist that growth with an activity that asks individuals to first select and define five unfamiliar words,...
Curated OER
Researching Using Books
Young scholars investigate researching techniques by exploring their library. In this literature references activity, students identify the different types and genres of books that are readily available at their local library as well as...
Curated OER
Toilet to Tap?
Students answer the question, 'Should San Diego reclaim its water for fresh drinking water?' They make a poster explaining the position: "Yes," drink reclaimed water; or "No," don't drink reclaimed water.
Curated OER
Party, Party, Party!
High schoolers explore social situations by participating in a role play activity. In this student psychology lesson, students identify the different social situations they will enjoy as they grow older including weddings, housewarming...
Curated OER
Post-It Poetry
Seventh graders explore how to spice up their work using vivid words and images. Afte a lecture/demo, 7th graders try their hand at writing poetry using a lot of adjectives and vivid verbs.
Curated OER
Can You Find It?
Fourth graders discover how to do an Internet search. They reviewi traditional rescources used to find answers in the classroom and are introduced to electronic sources. They discuss terminology for navigating the Internet using the...
Curated OER
Write It Short
Students listen the books, "Today Is Monday," "Chicken Soup with Rice," and discuss how we use abbreviations for days of the week. This simple lesson is a good way to introduce the common abbreviations that young readers will encounter...
Curated OER
Unearthing The Facts
Students use agriculture related questions in order to build research skills. The questions are given and then they are expected to determine the best resource for finding the answers. The connection to the farmer is how they use...
Curated OER
Favorite Activity
Students write persuasive essays about favorite activities. They present on a topic of personal interest or one that has been studied in another subject area. They write a composition of a favorite activity, describing the activity and...
Curated OER
Vocabulary Building Activity
In these vocabulary building worksheets, students learn how to identify and use the given vocabulary words using the definition clues. Students unscramble letters, write the words in sentences, and complete a timed reading of the words.
Curated OER
CDV, CDV, What's a CDV?
Introduce your class to the Core Democratic Values. The instructional activity focuses on defining the Core Democratic Values and related terms. Small groups look up terms and present a song based on the information they've found. After...
Curated OER
Code Talkers
Students investigate the Navajo code talkers contributions to World War II. They read and discuss a fact sheet, and create and decode secret messages using a Navajo code talkers' dictionary.
Curated OER
Number Prefixes
Students recognize the number prefixes used throughout the English language. They identify the shapes and the prefixes that are associated with them.
Curated OER
The Dangers of Illiteracy
Learners consider a fictional situation in which literacy could spell the difference between life and death. They apply their knowledge of how reading empowers people by creating a literacy program that addresses the special needs of a...