As the saying goes, art often imitates life ... and literature! A series of activities designed to accompany a visit to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art encourage writers to find inspiration in various landscapes. The lesson plan...

The elements of dance can be used to communicate thoughts and, in this case, words. In small groups, the class first creates a set of movements to show a single word. Then, they extend their movements to show a three-word phrase....

Young writers use nouns, verbs, and adjectives to describe details in two paintings. One depicts a sunny landscape, and the other shows a cloudier view. They write a narrative inspired by the paintings, paying attention to transitional...

Fourth graders analyze the use of transitions in text. In this transitions lesson, 4th graders determine how and why a transition is used at a specific time in a piece of writing. They show transitions by using movements before...

After reading a short story, learners will create dances that show homophones and verbs. Their dance sequences involve three verbs and transition movements in between each verb. Tip: Have the class dance out the sequence of events from...

Come December, practice syllable counting with the appropriate time of year! Using the winter theme, readers identify the winter picture, clap the number of syllables, and place the correct number of cotton balls next to the four...

Fourth graders act out and write original narratives. In this theater meets writing instructional activity, 4th graders work in groups to create original narratives; after students act out their story, they write it down as a narrative.

Students use transitions to connect the beginning, middle and end of their writing. In this lesson on drafting a story, students use a graphic organizer sandwich to put pictures back together and recognize a specific order.

In this two-word verbs definition worksheet, students read the definitions of 21 two word verb combinations. They see two word verbs such as back out, call off, find out, and look out, with the definition next to the words.

Help learners identify initial consonant sounds and letters that represent that sound. They indicate awareness of consonant sounds and letters by responding with a physical movement. They also sing using "Sing Your Way Through Phonics"...

Students analyze paintings by using verbs, adjectives, and nouns. In this visual arts lesson, students view a painting of a storm and a calm sky. Students use various verbs and adjectives to discuss the characteristics of each painting....

Learners listen to and analyze the ballad "American Pie." They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan. They circle the appropriate descriptive words of the song's medium form, melody, tempo and dynamics, and style.

Learn about the ancient Near East through a close examination of ancient artifacts. Lead your class into analysis by first observing an artifact as a class. Pupils can then work in pairs to analyze the other artifacts and compile a list...

Learners demonstrate how to retell a story in sequential order. In this reading comprehension lesson plan, students listen to a suggested read aloud, such as Little Boy Blue. Additionally, learners practice retelling the story by using...

Students construct descriptive sentences. In this cross curricular music and descriptive writing lesson, students listen to classical music and pantomime actions that correspond to the music. Students write descriptive sentences...

Seventh graders write a five paragraph essay and then branch out from there.

Students view a video about different types of music. They examine the history of jazz, big band and rock back to the city of Chicago. They discover Chicago's music scene today and compare it to the past.

Students analyze lyrics of selected Disco songs for content, theme and vocabulary. They write an extended response citing specific lyrics in response to three general themes.

Learners create travel brochures that detail various people and places that are encountered on the way to Chaucer's Canterbury.

Students explore dwellings around the globe and conduct collaborative research on cliff dwellings, igloos, longhouses, and yurts. They then explore how different dwellings reflect environmental and cultural conditions, and they create a...

Fourth graders research and write an author report on Roald Dahl, including books written by him, birthplace, family life, and other information on his writing. Students read aloud chapters in the book. Students create a newspaper...

First graders review Frere Jacques and perform crescendos and decrescendos. In this music lesson plan, 1st graders also learn about the dynamics of music including piano, forte, mezzo piano, and mezzo forte.

Students explore biology by researching birds in class. In this raven identification lesson plan, students utilize the Internet to identify the anatomy, habits and habitat of ravens. Students write descriptive paragraphs about ravens and...

Young scholars explore Earth science by completing several graphic organizer activities in class. In this oceanography instructional activity, students research ocean inhabitants such as blue crab and oysters. Young scholars complete...