David Sedaris is quite the story-teller. Read "Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa" and follow it up with this two-page worksheet. Readers will revisit the text to answer higher level thinking questions. Designed...

Need a musical lesson for your drama or performing arts class? VH1 has put together a really neat lesson, in which learners use biographical information about Alicia Keys to write and perform a one-act musical related to her life. This...

Young scholars complete exercises to practice writing a paragraph. In this paragraph writing lesson plan, students work in pairs to complete activities that require them to read sample paragraphs, organize sentences in sequence, and...

In these two reading and comprehending a friendly letter learning exercise and a poem about a Frog learning exercise, 3rd graders read a letter from a third grader and answer questions about it. Students answer 11 multiple choice...

Here is a worksheet presenting many ways to create topics and start sentences. The writing prompts are best used for young writers who are creating reading response journals or literature logs. Sometimes, all a writer needs is a good...

Students examine the common themes and characteristics of children's literature. They develop a list of characteristics, read and discuss examples of children's literature, and create an original children's book.

Young writers use technology and other media to research information on a chosen topic. They explore countries where keypals and e-mail friends are located. Using their writing skills, they correspond with their e-mail friend and...

Are your pupils ready to move beyond a thesis statement by adding additional detail to their introductory paragraphs? Provide this handout to give your class some ideas for spiffing up their work. The page includes a sample paragraph...

Walk your class through the process of creating a mind map. Learners begin with a specific topic and add details. Then, they use their mind maps to write a report.  This is a creative approach to teaching writing.

How did the Mongol Empire become so impressive? Use this writing exercise to have your scholars examine Mongol culture... and write about it! Although there isn't much to it, the three writing prompts are clear, relevant, and open-ended....

Propel your historians into more profound thought about the Tang and Song Dynasties with this short-answer writing exercise. Three clearly written questions prompt learners to consider broad aspects of this era. They explain where the...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Early Russia worksheet has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Medieval Europe activity has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Early Japan assignment has learners responding to 3 simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. This activity on the Rise of European Nation-States has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper research. Historians outline...

Here is a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited in its ability to entice learners, this learning exercise on the Rise of European Nation-States has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which could lead...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Ming Dynasty activity has learners responding to three clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Although it is limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this cross-curricular Kingdom of Benin worksheet has learners respond to 3 prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper research. Historians outline Benin society...

Miss Frizzle's class provides the inspiration for your young learners! Read "The Magic School Bus Explores Outer Space," and discuss the solar system. First learners will complete a KWL chart about a planet they're assigned to. Then, as...

Students explore pre-reading activities. Through looking at titles, and observing pictures, students predict what will happen in a story. They listen to a part of the story and then write their own conclusion. Students complete the story...

A two-part assessment challenges scholars to gather information from reading then write an opinion piece. In part one, learners read, take notes, and answer text-related questions. In part two, participants use their new-found knowledge...

An assessment takes a close look at the story, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, and tests writing abilities. Over the course of two days, scholars read an excerpt, answer questions on a worksheet pertaining to the author's...

A two-day assessment challenges scholars to read an excerpt from the story, Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis then complete a series of exercises in preparation for a writing assignment. Day one includes an independent...