Curated OER
Passive Voice and Grammar Checkers
This handout gives an overview of the passive and active voices as well as pointing out that the grammar checkers in word processing programs mark sentences written in the passive voice as incorrect. While this is not an interactive...
Florida Center for Reading Research
Vocabulary: Word Meaning, Word Clues
Young learners develop a deeper understanding of target vocabulary. In pairs, pupils independently complete a series of word clue cards, asking them to find information about key terms, including their definitions, synonyms, antonyms,...
Florida Center for Reading Research
Comprehension: Text Analysis, Compare and Contrast
Grab any two topics, some index cards, and a couple of kids, and you're ready to compare and contrast! The resource provides instructions for this method and three graphic organizers in addition to or in place of the index cards.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Vengeful Verbs in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
It's time for pupils to read, examine, and contemplate literature to explore the difference between vivid and generic verbs. Pupils distinguish between the two types of verbs as they read the ghost scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet. They...
Curated OER
Writing with Vivid Verbs
Learners find vivid verbs in literature and use them in their own writing. In this vivid verbs lesson plan, students use a 'Thinking Thesaurus' of major verbs to study common verbs. Learners then practice rewriting sentences using vivid...
Curated OER
Salinger and the Vocabulary of the Vernacular
Students discuss the use of slang expressions in literature. In this literary analysis lesson, students examine the use of slang words and expressions in the popular novel Catcher in the Rye. Students research the various...
Curated OER
Writing Similes
Fifth graders identify and write similes. They define simile and discuss different examples, and with the help of a thesaurus, write original similes that compare the colors of crayons to objects or feelings. Students copy their rough...
Curated OER
"All About Me" Paragraph
Fifth graders write a paragraph titled "All About Me" in the computer lab after they have drawn graphic organizers to fill in background information about themselves and used a "10-Point Writing Checklist" to do peer editing.
Curated OER
Descriptive Drawings - Pen and Ink - Art with Text
Students create a pen and ink drawing using words to determine values choosing a work with high emotional content and incorporating words that describe the picture's content placing words together tighter, made bolder, etc. to achieve...
Curated OER
Every Dog Has Its Day
Students explore the use of imagery in writing. In this writing instructional activity, students create a writing piece that features sensory images without resorting to the use of clichés.
Curated OER
Direct Speech
Pupils explore characteristics of a good speech. They use speech marks to demarcate direct speech. Students read a report and rewrite it, using verbs that describe people speaking.
Curated OER
Nouns
Pupils recognize common nouns and proper nouns and use them in proper paragraph form. They get the opportunity to play noun bingo. In addition, diagramming simple and compound noun sentences are undertaken within this lesson.
Curated OER
Synonym Trees
Fifth graders create synonym trees by writing their main word on the tree trunk and gluing synonym words to represent the leaves. In this synonyms lesson plan, 5th graders play a class game where they must find a partner who has a...
Curated OER
Reference Source Four Square
Fourth graders play a four-square game on the playground while reviewing four main references -- dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, and encyclopedia. Students must throw the playground ball in the correct "square" identifying the correct...
Curated OER
Homophones and Vivid Verbs
Students define and practice using synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and homophones in complete sentences, paragraphs and essays. They include "vivid verbs" in their writing with the aid of a dictionary or thesaurus.
Curated OER
The Price is Right - Advertisements
Fourth graders design written advertisements using cut out items from catalogs or newspapers in order to persuade consumers.
Curated OER
Cool Words to Share
Fifth graders use teacher-selected vocabulary to present a written story to a first grade student. The book include a glossary of terms and illustrations of the terms. This is a great lesson plan for big/little buddies to do together!
Curated OER
Encyclopedia Introduction
Second graders demonstrate how to use reference materials. In this library media lesson, 2nd graders are introduced to the encyclopedia and are shown how to use the encyclopedia as a reference. Students use encyclopedias to complete a...
Curated OER
What is a Dictionary?
Second graders explore the purpose of a dictionary. In this library media instructional activity, 2nd graders explore My First Dictionary and identify guidewords, entry words, and captions. Students list ways they can use the dictionary.
Curated OER
Description and Modifying: What's On Your Plate?
Learners create a food product and an advertisement promoting it. In this description and advertising lesson, students read children's book for inspiration and discover advertising techniques. Learners complete their ads and...
Curated OER
Essential Skills Literacy
In this essential skills literacy worksheet, students utilize a Thesaurus to look up words that have a similar meaning to the ones in each of the box drawings.
Curated OER
Synonym Crossword Puzzle
For this synonym crossword worksheet, students use a dictionary and/or thesaurus to help them solve the crossword puzzle. There are 10 words in this puzzle.
Curated OER
Antonym Crossword Puzzle
In this antonym crossword puzzle activity, students use a dictionary and/or a thesaurus to find the antonyms to the words in the clues and solve the puzzle. There are 13 words to fill in.
Curated OER
Writing a Word Fib Poem
Students write a word fib poem using different word starters and different number of syllabled lines. Students write 6 lines in the poem.