Curated OER
Fractured Fairy Tales
Through reading and writing, learners explore common elements found in fairy tales. After discussing traditional fairy tales, class members listen to The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by John Scieszka, a hilarious retelling of the...
California Academy of Science
The Emperor Penguin's Egg
Here is a game intended for use at home that could easily be adapted to the school environment. The class reads an informational story about emperor penguins and then they watch a clip from the film, March of the Penguins. They focus on...
Curated OER
Discover Picture-Perfect Projects
Use classic, well-loved picture books as means of infusing visual and language arts in the elementary classroom.
Curated OER
Using Literature to Introduce the Five Themes of Geography
Students listen to a read aloud of "If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln". Using the text, they identify examples of the five themes of geography and write them down. Using a map, they plot the places mentioned in the book and sort facts...
Curated OER
The Bee Tree
Students practice reading comprehension by reading a book in class. For this story map lesson, students read The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco, and create a story map based on the problem and solution of the book. Students...
Curated OER
How Many? How Much?
First graders recognize and learn the value of coins. For this instructional activity on money, 1st graders read the book Monster Money by Grace Maccarone, discuss the role of money in society, identify various coins, and explore making...
Curated OER
The Sign of the Beaver
Fourth graders read the book "The Sign of the Beaver". As a class, they identify the problems in the story and predicting what they think is going to happen next. Individually, they examine the cause and effect relationships and...
Curated OER
Our Sense of Taste
Students explore the relationship between the senses of taste and smell using a blindfold taste test. In partners, they taste different foods with their noses plugged and unplugged. They create a life size outline of the human body to...
Curated OER
The Fear Place
Students use the strategy turn and talk to discuss inferences they have while reading the book The Fear Place. In this inferences lesson plan, students answer discussion questions and read independently as well.
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Fourth graders participate in a literature circle after reading a book about the Underground Railroad. They discuss their selected book with their literature circle group, and complete a handout about their role in the circle. Students...
Curated OER
Number Sense and Operation
First graders listen to a read aloud of Stephanie Calmenson's, Dinner a the Panda Palace identifying words related to math and writing them on a chart paper.
Curated OER
Freedom
Students listen to a read aloud of Dr. Suess' Yertle the Turtle while thinking about the power struggle and oppression in the group of turtles. They note their feelings on chart paper before reviewing more books. They chose a creative...
Curated OER
Let's Create a Picture
Students practice using visualization to aid in their reading comprehension. After a read aloud of a selected story, students write a brief summary of the plot accompanied by an illustration of the characters they have visualized.
Curated OER
Literature: Yoshiko Uchida Unit
Sixth graders read the books, The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography by Yoshiko Uchida and Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki about Japanese Americans during World War II. They hold discussions, take quizzes, and write essays about the...
Curated OER
Getting to Know You
Students demonstrate the concept of friendship. In this character education lesson, students read the book Best Friends and discuss what friendship means. Students create a picture book about their likes and dislikes.
Curated OER
Give a Cookie
Students discover the importance of sharing. In this philanthropy lesson, students read the book The Doorbell Rang and discuss how the character practiced sharing in the story. Students make cookies and practice the philanthropic concept...
Curated OER
Comparing Cinderella and The Rough-Face Girl
Pupils examine similarities and differences between cultures. They'll see that literature, reading, and story telling is something all cultures have in common. They should construct Venn diagrams to help them compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Froggy Goes to School (London)
Just like your budding readers may have felt, Froggy is nervous on his first day of school. Use Johnathan London's book Froggy Goes to School to practice vocabulary in context. Prior to reading the story aloud, pre-teach the new words...
Curated OER
Frankenstein Anticipation Guide
Before your high schoolers embark on the journey of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, provide them with this prereading activity. Independently, they respond to seven statements that connect with the novel. For example, they must decide if...
Curated OER
Narrative Writing vs. Explanatory Writing
The class discusses the different purposes an author has for writing. The focus of the discussion is on writing to tell a true story and writing to give information about a specific topic. There are writing purpose sorting cards embedded...
PBS
Arthur’s World Neighborhood: Bibliography for Kids
Support young learners as they expand their cultural awareness with this list of children's literature on countries from around the globe. Including both fictional and non-fictional texts. This resource will help...
Curated OER
Apples, Apples, Apples
Young scholars complete activities using apples that help improve their science, math, and reading skills. In this apple lesson, students read the book Apples, Apples Apples and visit an orchard or farmer's market to buy a variety of...
Curated OER
The Very Busy Spider
Learners read the story The Very Busy Spider and go on a spider hunt, complete a KWL chart, talk about the animals in the book, and more. In this guided reading lesson plan, students take 5 days to read the book.
Curated OER
Yes, You Can!
Pupils examine the concept of encouragement. In this encouragement and character activity, students participate in an active read aloud of Mary Grace's, Amazing Grace. They draw a picture in their journal of a time that they needed...