Learners create a story map of the basic elements and significant events of the book Flat Stanley. Students brainstorm places they would like to visit if they had been flattened and then, write about an imagined experience. Learners...

Students practice biographical writing after completing research on the subject.  In this journalism lesson, students read a story of an important person's life and discuss the important moments along the way.  Students utilize...

Can we perceive reality or are we chained by preconceptions that limit our vision? Plato’s allegory “The Cave” serves to introduce nascent philosophers to Plato’s dialogues and hopefully to engender a love of ideas and discourse. A...

Second graders explore world geography by researching U.S. history. In this immigration lesson, 2nd graders read the book Marijana's Story and discuss the main character, her goals, and the plot. Students complete a worksheet about U.S....

Students review the literary elements of plot and conflict. In this plot and conflict instructional activity, students read a story and answer questions about the plot and conflict within. Students create a concept map for the novel to...

Eighth grades can master the ELA Common Core standards! Show your learners the connection between classroom activities and assignments and the standards with this set of "I Can" statement posters. Each standard has been rewritten as an...

Scholars create a brochure that features three aspects of the poem "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." The program details information about Robert Browning, the poem's setting, and its events. 

Fifth graders explore mystery stories.  For this reading and writing lesson, 5th graders complete a planning guide for an original mystery.  Students use the writing process to create a mystery story. 

Students read and analyze a story.  In this compare and contrast lesson, students re-read Miss Nelson is Missing and use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp.  Students write about their...

Students examine the story elements in the book, Miss Nelson is Missing. In this literary elements instructional activity, students listen to the story and identify the sequence of events in the test. Students also use an online...

Students complete reading Because of Winn-Dixie individually or as a class. As students reunite Opal and Winn-Dixie in this timed reading comprehension maze game, they demonstrate their understanding of the novel's plot, theme, and...

Reading Mary Pope Osborne's Civil War on Sunday? Here's a packet crammed with activities, exercises, reading guides, and project suggestions. A must-have for your curriculum library.

Middle schoolers discuss vocabulary words and compare definitions. They read chapters 6-9 of the novel, Dragonwings, and discuss point of view, and complete a plot diagram. Then they review the four types of conflict and identify the...

Fifth graders understand conflict and how to solve them. For this lesson about conflict resolution, 5th graders explore different factors that cause conflict. Students are put into groups and develop a list of examples for a specific...

Students identify their feelings and learn ways to handle conflict. In this human emotions and conflict lesson, students discuss feelings and ways to handle conflict. Students listen to a story about conflict and determine possible ways...

Second graders are read a book about different authors. They identify the parts of a story such as plot and setting. They brainstorm topics for their own paper and begin the writing process. They create a final copy of their story about...

Hang ten with a fun reading activity about a family vacation on a cruise. Fifth graders read along as Scott transfers his snowboarding skills to surfing in an engaging reading activity that includes six comprehension questions.

Did you know that November is Novel Writing Month? In the first of a series of lessons, class members are introduced to the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project.

Young scholars watch a portion of a familiar film and write responses to a series of questions. They apply their observations to short stories.

Upper graders read the book Holes as a class or by themselves. In groups, they identify symbols and discuss how they are connected  among the many plots in the story. They create a timeline in which they sequence the main...

W.W. Jacobs' story "The Monkey's Paw" provides plenty of foreshadowing which readers use to make predictions in this tightly composed, sound instructional plan. Your class reads the story, recording predictions and checking for veracity...

The tale of "Lon Po Po" is a Chinese story, very similar to the European tale of "Little Red Riding Hood." Learners make cross cultural comparisons between the two tales, focusing on themes common to both. They review story elements such...

Students role play different situations. In this respect lesson, students read Mr. Lincoln's Way, identify the story elements and answer comprehension questions. Students discuss how they can always treat others with respect and role...