First graders recognize words associated with recycling. In this environmental lesson, 1st graders go through the alphabet and think of words associated with recycling that start with a letter. Students create a recycling ABC book.

Kindergarteners and first graders develop phonemic awareness for words that contain -ick. Each learner gets a stack of cards with different -ick words, highlighting the target sound as they review each one. 

Young readers develop their phonetic skills by using a nifty tool called a word pocket. They use the tool to help them organize individual letters that they have at their desks to spell entire words and to construct beginning and ending...

Second graders observe the teacher model writing a letter to the author of the book, COPS AND ROBBERS. They then compare the story structure of the book to those of FUNNYBONES and identify the setting, characters and theme.

Which i sound is used in the word icky? Kindergarteners and first graders listen to the short /i/ sound. They practice shaking their fingers to indicate icky when they hear the target sound. Then they practice reading a poster with the...

Kindergarteners and first graders discover the /u/ sound! After practicing making the sound with the funny tongue twister, youngsters use their Elkonin letterboxes to divide a set of words into their phonemes. Then pairs read Bud...

Students listen to parent speakers who discuss how they use math in their professional or personal lives. They take notes and write business form thank you letters.

Letter boxes and a reading activity introduce the /sh/ sound to young learners. First they hear the target sound, then they identify words that contain it, and then they manipulate letters in their letter boxes. After these activities,...

Young scholars put word cards together and use the word parts to create correct words. In this phonics lesson plan, students practice pronouncing consonant blends and vowel sounds, demonstrating an awareness of beginning, middle, and...

Emerging speakers distinguish between the sounds for short vowel /e/ and long vowel /e/. They are introduced to the vowel patterns that comprise the long vowel sounds, with emphasis on /ee/. They practice reading and spelling a variety...

Help your class increase their awareness of concepts related to reading and spelling. They identify the digraph /oa/ in spoken language and spelling. After a brief discussion, they read A Toad on the Road, listening for the target sound....

Students identify and reproduce simple patterns (e.g., red blocks alternating with blue blocks; clap-clap-stamp) and create and extend simple patterns using a variety of materials or actions (e.g., popsicle sticks, pebbles, stickers,...

Middle schoolers explore various cultural identities. They conduct Internet research, develop a questionnaire that profiles information from their selected culture, and write a letter to a pen pal in the U.S. explaining what life in...

Use the revision process to polish your writing. Writers prepare works for job portfolios that include cover letters, job applications, resumes, and letters of recommendation. Prepare them for the future!

Fifth graders are introduced to the text, SCRIBBLEBOY, discussing the cover page for clues to the genre. They discuss the ordinary surroundings contrasted by the graffiti and the words and phrases used to provide information about the...

Students explore the field of meteorology. In this meteorology instructional activity, students explore weather-related careers as they research the field of study as well as various weather concepts. Students interview meteorologists,...

Students create letters and words with jump ropes to reinforce language arts work in the classroom. They make a letter with their body and then with a jump rope. Students perform alphabet and spelling activities with a jump rope.

Students listen to Brown Bear, Brown Bear and imitate the style of Eric Carle in writing a sentence.  In this writing lesson, students use the beginning and ending sounds of words to write an Eric Carle type sentence. ...

Students recognize the phoneme /g/. Through matching activities, students discriminate the phoneme /g/ from other letters and phonemes. They associate the phoneme /g/ with its letter representation and identify the phoneme /g/ in various...

Students recognize the phoneme /g/. Through matching activities, students discriminate the phoneme /g/ from other letters and phonemes. They associate the phoneme with its letter representation and identify the phoneme in various words...

Students recognize the short vowel u in written and spoken language. Through listening activities, they discriminate the vowel sound /u/ from other phonemes. Students associate the phoneme with its letter representation and identify the...

Students recognize the short vowel i in written and spoken language. Through listening and matching activities, they discriminate the vowel sound /i/ from other phonemes. Students associate the phoneme with its letter representation and...

First graders recognize the short vowel e in written and spoken language. Through listening activities, they discriminate the vowel sound /e/ from other phonemes. Students identify the phoneme and letter in words and sentences they write.

Students create a one-page family newsletter about a selected person in their family. They bring in a photo or use a digital camera to take a picture of their selected family member, and use a newsletter template to write and publish...