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Narrative Writing Outline
Students explore the elements of a narrative for its purpose, type of audience, mood, main character, minor characters, setting, and conflicts in the story. A story outline is developed and a five paragraph essay composed in this...
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Visualization: Cricket in Times Square
After reading The Cricket in Times Square chapter titled "Caught in the Kitchen," learners list three describing details about the characters and setting. Groups collaborate to find sensory details to support their character assertions....
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Systems Working Together
Third graders listen as the teacher reads the book "Roxaboxen" to them. They discuss the main characters and other aspects of the story. They discuss the characteristics and properties of the soil in Roxaboxen. The discussion is applied...
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When Randolph Turned Rotten
Students explore friendship by reading a book with their classmates. In this human relationship lesson, students read the story When Randolph Turned Rotten, and discuss the main character's relationships as well as the overall arc of the...
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Lessons of the Indian Epics: The Ramayana
Students read a version of Ramayana and explore the elements of the epic hero cycle. In this Ramayana analysis lesson, students retell the basic narrative of the Ramayana and identify the main characters. Students identify elements of...
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The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs
First graders compare two versions of The 3 Little Pigs. They identify the main characters in the two stories, identify the plot of the two stories and explain the climax and the endings of the two stories. They use a Venn Diagram to...
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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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Pay it Forward
Students explore the basic concept of micro-financing. In this economics/literacy lesson, students listen to One Hen by Katie Smith, in which a small loan changes the life of the main character. Students employ comprehension strategies...
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Catherine, Called Birdy: September, October, and November
Students create questions pertaining to Catherine, Called Birdy. In this Catherine, Called Birdy instructional activity, students predict the type of book from the cover and discuss the style. Students relate their questions...
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What Is a Promise?
Students brainstorm the definition of honesty. In this honesty lesson plan, students read Ostrich Egg Wife and discuss events in the story relating to honesty and breaking a promise. Students explore ways the main character showed he was...
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Mock Trial
Students, after the traditional read and discussion of BEOWULF, put one of the the main characters on trial.
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Small Fish Stick Together
Students pantomime the book Swimmy. For this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the main character in the text and how Swimmy participated in philanthropic acts. Students role play the book.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Young scholars read "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." After observing the illustrations and previewing chapter titles, students predict what will happen in the story. They research and contact chocolate companies to gather...
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Narrative pantomime
Assign parts to read aloud Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag and have your young mimes act out their roles. This story focus on how beauty within is more important than outward appearance. Conclude by having your class provide an illustrated...
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Ancient Greece (Sparta)
Students identify that Spartan civilization was founded upon a militaristic point of view that allowed no tolerance for contrary views or physical limitations. They take turns listing positive and negative qualities of the main...
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An Author Report on Beverly Cleary
Students examine Beverly Cleary as a reader and an author. They write a letter to Beverly Cleary that details their personal journey as readers and writers after reading her work and keeping a reading journal.
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Giving Thanks for Food and Farms
Sarah Stewart’s The Gardener and Food from Farms by Nancy Dickmann display the importance of community farms. After reading these short picture books, class members draw connections between farms and the food we eat each day. As a...
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Stringbean Coes Vacation
Third graders first begin the activity by reading Vera B. Williams Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea. This book is a collection of postcards that Stringbean Coe and his brother Fred write to their family while they were on a summer...
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Build Mastery: Visualization
What do you see? Young reader tap into the visualization process as they listen to or read a fiction story and fill out a graphic organizer. Model this first with a think-aloud, showing scholars how you visualize a familiar story. For...
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Counting Up/Down Stories
Mirroring Jerry Spinelli's style in Wringer, chapter 5, pupils use the "counting up/down technique" to recall an important moment in their lives. In the book, the character is being punched, and between blows he remembers details...
Generation Rx
My Generation Rx: Plot Twists
How can prescription drugs be dangerous if they were prescribed by a doctor? Is it okay to share your prescription drugs with friends if they really need them? Clear up any common misconceptions about prescription drugs with a set of...
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Geeky Greeks and Robust Romans: A Look at How a Few Folks a Few Thousand Years Ago Began a Few Trends
Have a blast comparing and contrasting ancient Greek and Roman cultures with this entertaining and educational powerpoint, which is as well-organized as it is thorough. Young scholars will find the differences between the Greeks and...
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It's All an Allusion: Identifying Allusions, in Literature and in Life
To allude, or not to allude, that is the question: whether ‘tis better to make a reference and engage your audience or risk confusing them or sounding dated. After reading an article about, and loaded with allusions, class members take a...
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Compare and Contrast with Pink and Say
Sixth graders complete a shared reading of the book Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco and character analysis Venn diagram. In this character analysis lesson, 6th graders read the book and work in groups to compare and contrast the two...