Curated OER
Focus on Figurative Language
Using the poems "First Snow" by Ted Kooser and "Eating Alone" by Yi-Young Lee (or other suggested poems by Robert Frost or Sara Teasdale), middle schoolers search for examples of figurative language. Guide your learners by discussing...
Curated OER
Introducing Literary Elements in Fiction
Identify literary elements in fiction. In this reading comprehension lesson, learners read the book Pigsty and record literary elements onto a graphic organizer. They specifically discuss the main characters and events in the text.
Curated OER
Summarizing Key Information
Imagine the surprise when small groups present their Evidence Charts to the class and discover that each group has studied a different version of the Cinderella story. Irish, Ojibwa, Egyptian, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Mexican, and...
Curated OER
Building Vocabulary
Decode and acquire new vocabulary! Readers use new vocabulary in their writing and use synonyms to determine meanings. Visual learners label pictures and group words together to increase understanding.
Curated OER
My Summer Vacation: Traveling
A classic lesson idea, kindergarteners share stories about their summer vacations on their first day of school! First, your young learners will listen to you talk about your summer vacation, making sure to use plenty of visual aids. Then...
Curated OER
Poet James Whitcomb Riley: Famous in His Own Day
An engaging biography of "Hoosier" poet James Whitcomb Riley serves as a springboard for study of his unique dialect-based verse. Several activities illuminate differences between spoken vernacular and formal language. Learners record...
Curated OER
Number Line Snacks: Compare Numbers to 10
Kindergarteners put Cheerios or cheddar fish on two number lines (up to 10 each) and identify which number the snack pieces indicate. They compare numbers after eating a few of each snack, and get an introduction to addition and...
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation: Unfulfilled Promises
Young scholars perform research into the Emancipation Proclaimation. The document will aid learners in understanding the history and culture of the time of writing. Finally critical thinking skills are used to formulate contextual meaning.
Curated OER
Physical Differences
Students examine physical differences amongst themselves. In this diversity lesson, students read the book We're Different, We're the Same. Students name things about their appearance that is different from the person next to them.
Curated OER
Families and Neighborhoods
Students investigate the characteristics of a neighborhood. In this communities lesson, students read the book Franklin's Neighborhood and list people and places in their community. Students create a neighborhood mural.
Curated OER
Families and neighborhoods
Students create their house to add to a class "neighborhood". In this lesson plan on family and community, students read the book Family by Todd Parr and discuss how all families and houses are different. Then, students create their own...
Curated OER
The Mighty Oak
Young scholars investigate types of trees. In this forestry lesson, students read the book The Mighty Oak and act out the story with a partner. Young scholars discuss the types of trees in the book and plant an oak tree on school grounds.
Curated OER
Observing and Writing about Butterflies
Students observe and write about butterflies. In this life cycle instructional activity, students listen to the story The Life of a Butterfly by Robin Bernard and watch a YouTube video of a butterfly coming out of his chrysalis....
Curated OER
Make a Word: Long U by Starfall
Students explore language arts by participating an on-line grammar activity. In this letter U lesson, students discuss the uses for the letter U in the English language and the different sounds that can be made from the vowel. Students...
Curated OER
Milton Hershey Quilt Activity
Students extend their understanding of Milton Hershey. In this notable figures lesson, students create a paper quilt about Milton Hershey. Students use the template provided to design their own quilt square, including an illustration and...
Curated OER
Cacao Tree Geography
Young scholars use a map to learn about where chocolate comes from. In this lesson on the cacao tree, students locate various regions where the cacao tree grows. They will discuss why the cacao tree grows more favorably in particular...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Comparing Key Ideas and Details in Fiction and Nonfiction
Students recognize the differences between fiction and nonfiction texts. In this genre study instructional activity, students discuss what nonfiction means and write the definition. Students listen to a read aloud and vote whether the...
Curated OER
Minnesota-China Connections: Jade Sculptures
Students study Chinese jade carvings and then carve an animal from soap in a similar fashion.
Curated OER
Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly
Third graders access prior knowledge of the monarch butterfly and discuss what they would like to know. In this Monarch Butterfly lesson,students read Monarch Butterfly and discuss the life cycle of the butterfly. Students gather...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Freckle Face
Students collect and record data. For this early data analysis lesson, students gather data about their partners face. As a class, the students use tally marks and pictographs to record the data and answer question about the information...
Curated OER
Fossils
Students complete a unit on fossils. They read and discuss informational handouts, define key vocabulary terms, answer discussion questions, create a geologic timeline and a timeline of their own life, analyze bones, and create a fossil...
Curated OER
Slopes and Slope Intercepts
Learners identify the slope of an equation using various methods. In this algebra lesson, students graph linear equations and calculate the slopes using the x and y intercept to solve the equations and graph the lines. They use the slope...
Curated OER
Alphabet Game
Students recognize and orally name all of the letters of the alphabet when shown each letter individually. They pronounce words correctly when orally. Students decode words to orally speak the correct pronunciation. Students discuss...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Analyzing Literary Elements in Fiction
Students analyze the characters and events in fictional writing. In this literary elements lesson, students study the meaning of the words characterization and fiction. They listen to the story Pigsty by Mark Teague, or any other book...