MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Utopia/Dystopia: The American Dream
America was founded by dreamers, and the American dream still resonates in our country today. Track the American dream from its Puritan beginnings to its optimistic descendants with a instructional activity that focuses on speeches...
Curated OER
Learning About Africa
Students examine one of the locations in Africa listed in the lesson focusing on location, climate, products, activities, and other information they use for their short story. They then write an outline of their story and organize their...
Curated OER
BUGS-INSECTS
Students participate in a theme study while teaching primary students basic skills according to Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals in Reading, Math, and Writing. The lesson is concerned primarily with the concept of insects.
Curated OER
Learning About Writers
Students explore how authors write stories. In this careers lesson plan, students invite an author into the classroom and ask him/her questions about writing as a career.
Curated OER
Knights and Castles and Kings Galore
Fifth graders create a fairy tale story with emphasis on castles. After reading various texts featuring castles and their residents, 5th graders complete a book report project. The book report serves as a springboard to the writing...
Curated OER
Journeys
Pupils write a story using their journey to school as the setting. In groups, they discuss their experiences and browse through books to get ideas for their story. They practice using a thesaurus to find new verbs or adjectives they...
Curated OER
Bless Me, Ultima - 1
Tenth graders consider the importance of setting in the Southwest-themed novel "Bless Me, Ultima". As part of a larger unit, 10th graders research the setting of New Mexico and work in groups to prepare presentations about the region's...
Curated OER
Book Report Database and Author E-mail Project
Students read a number of books by a given author and input information into a database. They e-mail information about their favorite author to other students. They focus on story elements and ask questions or make suggestions for future...
Curated OER
Exploring Explorers
Young scholars research a selected explorer and teach their small group about their explorer during a jigsaw activity. Independently they write a letter as if they were on a voyage with their explorer, and create a world map that...
Curated OER
Number Stories (Part 4): Presentation
Students observe a model classroom where children are using clip art to add to a number story. After viewing the video, students discuss methods of teaching technology skills. They explore how the room arrangement affects the students...
Curated OER
Smooth Reading, Yeah!
Students explore how to read fluently. They practice reading with more expression. Students read Arthur's Writing a Story. They discuss why it is important to read fluently. Students buddy read and then read as a class and fill out...
Curated OER
Edgar Allan Poe and Anna Katherine Green
Students go over the summary of the story by Edgar Allan Poe and answer questions to predict what they think happens in the story. They then read the story, read the summary of Anna Katherine Green's story and do the same. They finally...
Curated OER
Hard Word with the Little Red Hen
Students complete a unit using the story of the Little Red Hen to learn the storybook reading format as well as improve their reading and social skills. In this storybook lesson, students complete five lessons using the story of the...
Curated OER
The American Flag
Students participate in an activity that teaches them what the stars and stripes on the American flag represent. They listen to the book, "The Story of the American Flag" read by the teacher. They complete an art project where they...
Curated OER
Moses
First graders become acquainted with the concept of honesty. A lecture is presented to the students detailing Moses' life and his involvement in presented the Ten Commandments to the people. After the lecture is completed, 1st graders...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: George's Store at the Shore
Pupils explore vocabulary words from the story. In this language arts lesson, students discuss vocabulary words from the story. Pupils discuss the word meanings and use the words in sentences.
Curated OER
Sir Cumference and the Dragon Pi
Geometry adventurers study circumference of a circle as they listen to Sir Circumference and the Dragon Pi, by Cindy Neuschwander. In groups, they use string to measure the diameter and circumference of circular objects and...
Curated OER
The Great Chase
Students use the text "The Great Chase" to explore characters, views, and using words and phrases from the text. They write character profiles that describe the characters in the story. Students use key words and phrases from the story.
Curated OER
Removing the 'Junky' Words
Middle schoolers explore was to comprehend a story through summarization. They are introduced to a lesson by explaining that when we read there are a lot of extra, unnecessary, junk words. Students explore ways not pay to attention to...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web
Students compare the differences in insects and spiders and design a worksheet that teaches the differences. Students record on chart
organizing the information about the pet, its food, habitat, exercise, and other ways to care for...
Curated OER
If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...
Fourth graders take three different photographs representing the beginning, middle and end of their story. They use the Tool Factor program Fresco to add elements to enhance their creativity and make their writing come alive. They then...
National First Ladies' Library
Birds of a Feather: Parrots, Pigeons, Parakeets, and More
Students investigate the concepts related to the extinction of birds while conduct research using the internet and a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a class presentation or set the context for class...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Tar Beach
Young scholars explore language arts by reading a children's book in class. In this story vocabulary lesson, students read the book Tar Beach and discuss the setting and plot with their classmates. Young scholars define a list of...
Curated OER
What Makes Good Literary Writing?
Students conduct a literature study of John Steinbeck's classic "Of Mice And Men". They write in reflection of the author's influence upon 20th century literature. Students take apart the story to focus class discussion upon major themes...