Curated OER
Shadow Puppets
Students examine the role of shadow puppets. They create their own puppet and put on a play.
Curated OER
Bringing Facts Into Science Fiction
Young scholars develop a setting, plot and characters for a science fiction story based on current news themes, and then individually write drafts of the story.
Curated OER
Henry's Freedom Box
Students explore the Civil War by reading a children's book in class. In this underground railroad instructional activity, students read the story Henry's Freedom Box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. Students create their...
Curated OER
Amelia Earhart: A Biography
Second graders investigate the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart. They read and discuss a biography of Amelia Earhart, complete a Venn diagram, and conduct an interview with a classmate and write and publish a biography of their classmate.
Curated OER
Life in Korea During World War II: When My Name Was Keoko
Twelfth graders review facts about roles of Asia and Japan in World War II, read When My Name Was Keoko to familiarize themselves with daily life and historic events during World War II in Korea, and participate in student-led...
Curated OER
Show Me the Story
Learners examine the elements of a story, read a review of Chris Rock's new sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris" and create original sitcom episodes based on their own lives.
Curated OER
Sequencing The Three Billy Goats Gruff
First graders participate in sequencing activities. In this sequencing lesson, 1st graders read the book the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Students retell the story and act out the scenes in groups. Students create a mural of the story...
Curated OER
Graphic Organizer Lesson
Students investigate how to use graphic organizers. In this literary elements lesson, students are introduced to several types of graphic organizers and their purpose. Students read a book of their choice and complete a graphic organizer...
Curated OER
Dust Bowl Story
Students compose narratives describing the difficulties faced by those living in the Dust Bowl. They use resource sheets and photos in this small group activity. Their stories include plots, settings, and characters either taken...
Curated OER
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
In this literature learning exercise, students respond to 2 short answer and essay questions about Crane's The Red Badge of Courage. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the selection at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Understanding: Television
High schoolers discuss their experiences with television. They break into small groups and go through the steps of producing a television show themselves. Their presentations are made to the entire class.
Curated OER
The Lorax Explorations
Students read and debate the purpose of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, analyze its story elements, and write their own The Lorax II.
Curated OER
The Teller of the Tale, Part 3
Students practice use of volume, stress, pacing, enunciation, eye contact, and gestures needed to meet the needs of the audience when presenting their own tales based on Chaucer. They receive teacher and student feedback and prepare to...
Curated OER
Is This a House for Hermit Crab?
First graders identify text that uses sequence or other logical order. They identify and interpret how different plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments and have external features that help them thrive in different...
Curated OER
More Than Anything Else
Second graders investigate the life of Booker T. Washington by reading a biography. For this biographical lesson, 2nd graders read the story More Than Anything Else, and examine the geographical locations Washington once resided...
Curated OER
Writing Myths
Students read and write myths. For this world mythology lesson, students read and analyze myths from various cultures and then recognize their attributes as they write their own myths that explain natural phenomena.
Curated OER
Literacy: Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth
Students explore language arts by analyzing a children's book in class. For this vocabulary lesson, students read the book Slowly, Slowly, Slowly... by Eric Carle. Students identify the characters, setting and plot of the story before...
Curated OER
Beyond Book Reports
Book study activities can inspire page turning literature analysis of point of view, author's purpose, and much more.
Curated OER
Literary Analysis - Young Goodman Brown
Why is literary analysis so important? Readers explore writing a literary analysis by reviewing literary elements such as character, metaphor, plot, setting, simile, personification, and style. They read "Young Goodman Brown" by...
Curated OER
Understanding Realistic Fiction
Students write a story. In this genres instructional activity, students learn the meaning of realistic fiction and write a short story in that genre.
Curated OER
Writing a Historical Fiction Story
What is historical fiction? After explaining the difference to your learners, it's time to give each learner a try! With your support, encourage them to research, plan, and write their own historical fiction story. Don't forget to have a...
Curated OER
Conflict
Middle schoolers outline the action in their narrative writing assignments by brainstorming about conflict. In this conflict analysis lesson, students define conflict and discuss the different types of conflict. Middle schoolers...
Carnegie Library
Creative Writing: Middle School Lesson Plan
Enhance a unit on historical fiction with an engaging writing lesson. Learners bring the Industrial Era to life as they compose their own historical fiction pieces based on primary source images of Pittsburgh steel workers.
Curriculum Corner
"I Can" Common Core! 1st Grade Reading
This series of printable I can statements breaks down first grade Common Core reading standards into child-friendly terms. A great resource for providing clear learning objectives for young readers.