San José State University
Transition Words
Translate transition words for your class with this handout and brief exercise. Fairly straightforward and informative, it includes sample sentences and a working link to a more complete list of transition words. There are two different...
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Sentence Patterns
Supplement instruction on sentence patterns and types by providing this reference sheet for your class members. Included on this page are definitions of many different sentence patterns and an example of each. A useful item for pupils to...
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Varying Sentence Structure
Show your writers how to use simple, compound, and complex sentences to add variety to writing. In addition, examples show how to employ semicolons and coordinating conjunctions to combine sentences. Colorful illustrations and graphics...
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Help Me Learn About the Holocaust
Young readers select a book from a provided list to use as the basis for an intensive class study of Holocaust novels. After completing their novels, groups create a multimedia presentation highlighting the elements of literature...
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Analyzing Persuasion
A reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech launches a study of rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, connotative language and parallel structure. Class members then...
University Center for Learning Assistance
Commas
How well do your pupils know comma rules? Clear up confusion with this document, which includes an abundance of information about how and when to use commas as well as a practice exercise. Note: The answers are on the bottom of the page....
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Run-On Sentences
Have you seen run-on sentences in your learners' writing lately? If you're looking to address this issue, you might use this run-on sentence handout as a reference sheet. This handout lists examples of run-on sentences as well as...
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Lesson Plan 18: Cleaning It Up
Careful proofreading is an important step in the writing process. After guided practice using a provided worksheet that details common grammar concepts, young writers refer to the worksheet as they proofread their own work. Although the...
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Keyboard Symbols and Punctuation Marks
What is an asterisk? What is a tilde? Learners use this interactive page to review the names of different symbols and punctuation marks. They locate 29 different buttons.
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Language Arts: Punctuation and Characterization
Pupils prepare for a test on punctuation and characterization by completing practice assignments. While completing the assignment, they note the difference between direct and indirect characterization and explain how punctuation improves...
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Persuasion and Use of Language
Students discuss connotative language, hyperbole, allusion, and rhetorical question. In small groups, they read one section of the "Speech to the Virginia Convention" and analyze these devices. Groups present their results to the class.
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Reading Comprehension: Context Clues
Fifth graders use context clues to help them understand unknown words. In this context clues activity, 5th graders practice identifying context clues on a worksheet, then work with a peer to write their own story. Stories are peer edited...
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Putting it On Paper
Students locate and print samples of two different business letter formats. They write rough drafts of business letters inquiring when, where, and how math is used.
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The Problem with Prejudice
Third graders read and discuss "The Hangman" by Maurice Ogden and answer questions about the poem. They list things they can do to combat prejudice using each of the letters in the word and create a small poster with a slogan against...
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Happy Holidays
Students create holiday story while working in cooperative learning groups, using Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express as a writing prompt.
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Punctuation Review/Tic-tac-toe
Sixth graders play a tic-tac-toe game in pairs. In this language arts lesson, one student uses an X to show the correct sentences, while the other student uses an O to show incorrect sentences. Students use a T-chart to record the...
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Hands on Essays
Third graders relate the concept of individuality of geometric shapes to the individuality of topic sentences. They write and revise a persuasive argument essay using an established rubric.
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Keyboard Shortcuts vs Mouse Control
Young scholars identify and use the computer keyboard to complete simple tasks. Students eliminate the use of the computer mouse to do simple jobs. They use keys that are used alone, keys that specify object labels, Keys that result in...
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Clean Air
High schoolers read sales promotion reports and create a sales promotion summary using information from the report. They develop a graphic organizer to outline their information for a presentation. There is an assessment checklist...
Incentive Publications
Building Proofreading Skills
Designed to build proofreading skills in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and language usage, as well as proofreading for clarity, transition, and order, this workbook is packed with activities for all kinds of writing.
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the Connectors
Students recognize and explain meaning of connectors, punctuate a compound sentence using connectors, and compose compound sentences using the correct connectors.
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Correcting Run-On Sentences
In this combining sentences worksheet, students read information about how to use conjunctions or semicolons to avoid run on sentences. Students write four sentences according to directions.
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Defining Moments
Seventh graders use context clues to define words. In this language arts lesson, 7th graders engage in a class discussion regarding how we determine the meaning of words that we aren't familiar with. Then, students complete a very good...
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Jazz-Age Intrigue
Eleventh graders read The Great Gatsby and explain the jazz age. They use jazz age terms to create their own short story, scene, or letter.