Bring writing to life with this lesson in which elementary and middle schoolers create a display of the imagery they identify in a series of Gary Paulsen books. They read the suggested materials, identify imagery and descriptive...

Students complete a chart/graphic organizer based on the reading passage and locate specific information within the reading passage to complete the Human Body Cells Chart. They then utilize the Human Body Cells Chart to complete the...

Young scholars read and analyze a classic Eastern European folktale. In partners, they read the story, take notes, define vocabulary terms, and write a summary of the folktale.

Study the long vowel sound /e/, as in a creaky door noise. Children repeat the sound and learn a chant. They use letters in letterboxes to make words with the /e/ sound before reading a book and writing a message about their favorite...

Students read and discuss a poem about the issues of gender, education, and family written by a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in South Africa. In this poetry lesson, students read the poem 'Moetsana' and discuss the issues South...

Students explore the nuances of Confucianism. In this Korean society instructional activity, students complete jigsaw reading assignments on the Hyo. Students compare their own reverence for parents to that described in the pieces about...

Here is a quick activity that could help your kids with their reading comprehension. They practice a classic strategy that gets them to start asking questions about what they are reading, while they are reading it. They write out...

Pupils review the fantasy of Alice in Wonderland and discuss the author. After reading the poem, "Jabberwocky," they look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary. Working as partners, they create a list of "protmanteau" or invented words...

Bring Edgar Allan Poe's spooky story to life! After reading the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart," middle and high schoolers identify the theme, character traits, irony, and other story concepts. During pre-reading, they take notes,...

Students perform a play based on a legend. In this performing arts lesson, students read the legend Kangaroo Gets a Pouch and brainstorm ways to turn the story into a play. Students prepare for a short play, including costumes and...

Students read a short story about a young Iraqi boy, which opens up classroom discussion about the difficulties some immigrant students face, especially in the days after September 11.

What letters create the /sh/ sound? Have your elementary learners study the sound, write different words that use the sound in their letter boxes, and read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish! After this mini-lesson, can your...

Young scholars read Miss Spider's New Car by David Kirk. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of spiders. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.

Students explore the Maasai culture. In this cultural traditions instructional activity, students read primary documents and story books about the Maasai in order to compare their culture to the culture of those living in a Maasai village.

Students use online resources and activities to examine the vocabulary of a job application. In this job application lesson, students review and take sample online job readiness exams. Students read a publication about completing a job...

How can you interest your reader? Here is a great lesson on reading and discussing the characteristics of a narrative. Elementary schoolers explore writing techniques to hook the reader. They identify their hook and share their...