Curated OER
Writing a Biography - Part One
Learners have several discussion questions on what a biography is and how to research for information. They define the terms biography and autobiography. Students access why biographies are important.
Curated OER
Pieces of Me
Eighth graders explore themselves and their community. In this writing lesson, 8th graders brainstorm ideas about their childhood, middle years, family, and future goals. Students write an autobiographical sketch about...
Curated OER
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman: Novel Guides
Students create a timeline listing major historical events of the years 1860-1960. They discuss concepts central to the novel, such as freedom, self-respect, courage, and responsibility.
Curated OER
Reading and Writing the Autobiography With a Study of Zora Neale Hurston
Learners explore the possible relationships between characters in a novel. They read the novel 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' and answer all the questions on each chapter so that the characters and events are familiar to the students.
Curriculum Corner
Academic Reading Vocabulary
From A to Z, learners define, draw, and find examples of specific reading focus skills in an alphabetized reading vocabulary packet. Words include dialogue, theme, text structure, genre, paraphrase, and many more.
Common Core Sheets
Reading a Timeline
Sometimes the most important details of an informational text aren't within the text at all. Teach your class how to read timeline with a set of activities that prompts them to find specific dates and events on the timelines, as well as...
Curated OER
Introduce Your Class at Open House with Microsoft Windows Movie Maker
Students explore script writing. In this beginning of the year "building classroom community" lesson, students write several autobiographical sentences and introduce themselves on videotape. Students share the class introduction, which...
Curated OER
Word Processing With Pizazz
Students use a word processor and some of its tools to create an exciting and visual autobiography. They download a sample letter and then create one of their own.
Curated OER
I Have a Metaphor
Learners locate the literary devices used in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. In this figurative language lesson plan, students first distinguish between similes, metaphors, analogies, personification, etc. Learners...
Curated OER
History Talks
Students engage in a lesson that deals with a historical figure from the area of Mississippi. Then questions are asked of them using a game show format that is followed with additional ones used for brainstorming for more ideas of inquiry.
Curated OER
Kaffir Boy
Students explore the concepts of intolerance and racism in the autobiography Kaffir Boy written by Mark Mathabane. The lesson reveals the story's depiction of the terrible toll of apartheid on the lives of individuals.
Curated OER
The Power of Autobiographical Writing
Students explore the concept of injustice. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students discuss how autobiographical writing may be used to promote justice. Students read an excerpt from Gandhi's autobiography and determine how his...
National First Ladies' Library
Ugly Duckling: Definitions of Beauty
Young scholars examine the degree to which physical appearance influences how one is viewed in society. They draw a timeline of the history of beauty and complete a visual scavenger hunt of history.
Curated OER
The Autobiography of a Middle School
Students use digital cameras to document school experiences. Afterwards, they use computer software to manipulate their photos and write poetry, essays or biographies to compliment the pictures. Finally, students create an...
Curated OER
Olaudah Equiano
Eighth graders describe in detail a time in their life when they were the most afraid, causes of the fear and how they overcame it. This experience is compared/contrasted to the actual circumstances behind slave auction blocks. They read...
Curated OER
Lesson 2 Introduction Part 2
Ninth graders explore I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this introductory lesson, 9th graders read Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise." Students write a journal telling what they believe is the message contained in the poem and discuss...
Curated OER
Autobiographical Writing
In this unique lesson on autobiographical writing, young scholars compare and contrast three types of writing: narrative, poetry and newspaper. Students prepare to produce a short autobiographical writing based on the framework of one of...
Curated OER
Build an Ice Cap
Students research Earth science by conducting an experiment in class. In this ice-cap lesson, students identify what an ice cap is and create a biome using a box which measures 1 ft. x 1 ft. Students participate in an animal role-playing...
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All About Me Poster
In this biography/autobiography lesson, students read a few biographies and discuss the term and it's characteristics. Students then brainstorm what makes a good biography/autobiography and create an 'All about me' poster. Suggested...
Curated OER
And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street Writing Activity
Students are read a Dr. Suess book. They use the same format found in the book to create a class book about what they see on the way home from school. They practice writing sentences and illustrate them for the book.
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Sheltering and Caring for Animals
Pupils learn about animal shelters and adoption agencies. In this animal care instructional activity, students watch a video about the ASPCA and discuss what an animal shelter is, how it operates and what services it provides animals...
Curated OER
Writing As Criminal Evidence
Students research 2 famous forgery cases. In this forensics lesson, students are introduced to the methods of handwriting and paper analysis. They then use the Internet to study the cases of the Lindbergh baby and Howard Hughes'...
Curated OER
Hands on Biome--Building
Learners create a model biome. For this ecology lesson, students use materials to create a model biome. There is an extension activity that allows learners to write about plants and animals and their specific biome.
Curated OER
Through My Eyes
Fifth graders read the book Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges. In this segregation lesson, 5th graders read Ruby's story to find out what happened in her life. They write their own narrative about what 'first' they would most like to...