Missouri Department of Elementary
Don’t Tease Me!
A whole-class discussion sheds light on school bullying and ways to prevent it. Scholars share a moment when they observed or experienced some sort of teasing. Pupils brainstorm ways such behavior can be stopped or prevented.
Novelinks
The Dark Is Rising: Biopoem
How well do your learners really know the characters in Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising? A biopoem activity prompts readers to investigate the characters and their traits. Line by line, writers add the characters'...
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Harriet The Spy
Fourth graders investigate the style of diary writing as its own genre of literature. They read Harriet The Spy in order to have a text for this literature study. Students use the skill of prediction to preview the story, and then...
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Patterns in Poetry: Part I--Rhythm
Students explore patterns in poetry. In this language arts lesson, students discuss rhythm in poetry. Students read poems and discuss the rhythm of each poem.
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Friendly Patter Poetry
Students create a free from poem on the topic of friendship. They read examples of free form poetry to gather ideas. Through the use of a graphic organizer, students generate a list of friendship characteristics which is used to create...
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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.
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Inferences/Opinions
Fourth graders practice making inferences and forming opinions. In this reading strategy lesson, 4th graders listen to the book Woodsong by Gary Pauisen. They make predictions about the story before beginning and discuss the story...
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Preface and Chapter 1
Students complete chapter analysis activities for Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.For this chapter analysis lesson, students read the preface and chapter 1 and complete vocabulary activities, journal activities, and use...
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When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry
Students explore feelings. In this language arts lesson plan, students realize that books help in talking about feelings. Students discuss how they feel during the reading of a story and listen to each other in answering various...
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The Tale of Despereauz
Fourth graders read text and draw inferences or conclusions about the text. In this reading lesson, 4th graders discuss their opinions on what was read and state why they think that way to a partner.
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Writing Lesson
Fourth graders connect oral language to written language. They practice strategies for overcoming the fear of writing. They practice prewriting strategies and practice writing descriptive paragraphs.
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‘Pay it Forward’ Lesson Plan
Students develop their speaking skills. For this oral communication lesson, students read "One Hen" by Katie Smith Milway and work in groups to discover how making a small loan to the main character in the story had positive effects....
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Proofreading Lesson 5
Fourth graders explore various proofreading strategies. They develop their proofreading strategies. Students find and correct errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. They discuss sentence formation, usage, and mechanics.
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Storytime
Young scholars are given an age-and stage-appropriate passage. They each read the selection and students then demonstrate their comprehension by being asked questions. Once young scholars have completed the reading, he or she is asked...
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Patterns In Poetry: Images (Part 3)
High schoolers explore imagery in poetry. In this poetry lesson, students examine how the use of metaphors and similes aid in reading comprehension. Multiple resources are provided.
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Model Lesson Plan
Students, five of the "best" readers in the class, get a script and read over their part of the lesson before they begin to "teach" the class.
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Mercer Mayer-Just Me and My ...books
Students read various Mercer Mayer books. They discuss the enhancement of family and relationships within the family. Students write a book with their peers about their relationship with a member of their family. They practice their...
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Russian Literature: Leo Tolstoy
Tenth graders research the life and literature of Leo Tolstoy. Through reading and research, 10th graders identify key events in the author's life. They explore the major themes of his writing and complete a research project. Reading...
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Figurative Language and Symbolism
Students identify figurative language and symbolism in poetry as well as prose. In this literary elements lesson, students read and discuss the role of symbolism in Yellow Man by Moonlight, A Christmas Carl, The House of Wings, and...
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
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The Sanitary Commission
Students study women's fund raising efforts during the Civil War era.
They participate in a shared reading about the Sanitary Commission and
analyze a political cartoon about women's contributions to the Sanitary Fair.
They write...
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Soldier Emily
Students explore the role of women as soldiers during the Civil War period.
They read about a young Brooklyn woman who concealed her identity to
join the army and imagine how her family or fellow soldiers responded. They role play a...
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Graphic Organizers Aid Comprehension
Students create story webs to aid comprehension of ecosystems. In this reading strategies lesson plan, students discover the importance of organizing information while reading a nonfiction text. Students produce story webs to communicate...
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Proofreading: Lesson 1
Fourth graders examine instructions for proofreading activities and develop strategies to use in proofreading. They find and correct errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics in different writing samples.