Joel Michel Studies
The Swiss Family Robinson: Novel Study
What items would most people want to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island? Using the novel study for The Swiss Family Robinson, scholars attempt to answer the question from their own perspectives. They also explore...
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Read to Us!
Kids love being read to. Use these children's books and accompanying activities to engage young learners. Fun drawing print-outs and charts are included, and a variety of reading strategies are employed.
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Readings in Hudson River Natural History
Reading and understanding informational text is a key element to understanding every discipline. Elementary learners read three different articles focused on various animals and habitats in the Hudson River. They answer comprehension...
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Discussion Questions for Shakespeare's Julius Caeser
Do not let Julius Caesar be Greek to your pupils. Rather, make the play a dish fit for hungry minds. Encourage your class members to lend their ears to a series of rich discussion questions so that they can become masters of the play, as...
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Word for the Dazed: part 3
Whether it's for the SATs, reading comprehension, or literacy skills, building an academic vocabulary is key. Here are 6 terrific words each with a dictionary definition and colorful example. This presentation is timely and will resonate...
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The Gift of Gatsby
A reading of “Gatsby’s Green Light Beckons a New Set of Strivers,” a New York Times article by Sara Rimer, triggers a discussion of the American Dream and what it means to strive for something. Following the discussion, class members...
Polk Bros Foundation
Science Learning Summary Guide
Apply reading standards to your science curriculum by asking pupils to complete this guide. Individuals note down important vocabulary as well as two ideas they learned and two supporting facts for each idea. They then take this...
Reed Novel Studies
Three Times Lucky: Novel Study
A car crash, a murder, a hurricane. With such a plot, why is the title of Sheila Turnage's novel Three Times Lucky? After making a prediction about the plot, scholars use the novel study to research and record facts...
Reed Novel Studies
The Tiger Rising: Novel Study
Tiger, puma, lynx, jackal: which does not belong? Using the novel study for The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo, scholars complete a similar vocabulary exercise. Next, they write sentences explaining why their chosen words don't fit. They...
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Reading Primary Source Documents: Historical Content
Why do we read primary source documents? What can they give us that other writings cannot? Provide your learners with any of the primary sources attached here (there are seven), and have them complete the graphic organizer (which opens...
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Knowledge Rating
Evaluate vocabulary by writing definitions of known words and finding out those that are unknown. As an anticipatory set, the class fills out an agree/disagree chart discussing vocabulary. While reading about the American dream, kids...
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Antonyms 4: Level 7
A dynamic way to build vocabulary is to find the perfect antonym for a word under study. This worksheet, whether used for individual practice or for group work, is sure to enrich the vocabulary of your pupils. Of particular value is the...
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Predicting Actions
Analyze and predict a character's actions in a text by reading the book Julius, Baby of the World and discussing the character's personality. Individuals use a character action chart to record their actions throughout the story, and then...
US Holocaust Museum
Life in Shadows: Hidden Children and the Holocaust
Hiding in the filth of a sewer, as a child, to avoid capture by Nazi soldiers—sounds scary! Scholars investigate the youngest victims of the Holocaust, the children. They research video clips and written sources from the Holocaust...
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Wildlife Study Comparison
Environmental science classes read articles about two different scientific studies. One is about the effects of contraceptive chemicals on fertility, and the other is about how a pesticide may be reducing bone density in exposed...
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Le Lion
What do you know about lions? Intermediate and advanced French readers are presented with a page-long text. After completing the reading, they work on the activities that follow. The activities focus on vocabulary development, reading...
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Literature-Based Skill Building: Freak the Mighty Chapter Three
Have your 5th or 6th graders read Freak the Mighty? Check their reading comprehension with this online activity. They answer 15 different questions based on chapter 3: American Flyer.
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Locavores
Who are les locavores? Introduce your French class to the benefits of eating local with this reading passage and the activities that accompany it. Pupils focus on developing their vocabulary, entering into a discussion with a peer, and...
Classroom Law Project
Should we believe everything we read? Becoming a discerning consumer of media
Class members investigate the role media should play in a healthy democracy. As part of this study, groups analyze political advertising, use FactCheck to assess not only the veracity of but the persuasions techniques used in candidates'...
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Sentence Completion 5: Low-Advanced SAT Level
Sentence completion practice not only improves vocabulary, but critical thinking skills as well. Class members will benefit from exercises and the extended explanations that the answer key provides. Great SAT practice or class discussion...
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Sentence Completion 10: Low-Advanced SAT Level
Commiserated, cogitated, ameliorated? Whether used as test prep or as part of a vocabulary study, the problems on this sentence completion worksheet will challenge your learners. Provide them with the detailed answer key and groups can...
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Une première voiture volante
You might see a flying car before your lifetime ends! Assess your intermediate and advanced French classes with this resource, discussing the plans for a flying car. Two brief activities follow: the first develops new vocabulary, and the...
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Advanced Synonyms and Antonyms- Multiple Choice Verbs 5
Improve word choice and vocabulary skills with a straightforward grammar worksheet. As young readers observe the highlighted words for 12 multiple-choice questions, they choose the best synonym or antonym for each.
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Shizuko’s Daughter: Before, During, After Lesson Plan
Shizuko's Daughter by Kyoko Mori presents a vivid picture of Japanese culture and history. As kids read through the third chapter, they find novel-specific vocabulary to enhance their understanding and use context clues to...