Discuss the work of Matthew Henson, an African American who traveled to the North Pole with Robert Peary. After reading the story "Matthew Henson" by Maryann N. Weidt, learners answer questions by drawing inferences and conclusions,...

Cement comprehension skills using the strategies in this activity. After reading the story, Juan Verdades by Joe Hays, learners use context clues to answer questions, identify main ideas and details, and sequence events.

Students explore the concept of measuring length using a one-inch pipe cleaner "inchworm." They listen to the story "Inch By Inch by Leo Lionni and discuss how the animals were measured by the inchworm in the book. In pairs students...

First graders identify text features and how they communicate meaning to the reader. In this media literacy instructional activity, learners view the movie The Lorax and discuss how students from another country would respond to this...

Children study similes, synonyms, and antonyms and identify examples in the book Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood. They write short stories about themselves using antonyms, synonyms, and comparisons of themselves to animals. They draw...

Students analyze the storytelling methods in wordless books.  In this visual storytelling activity, students write a story that correspond to a specific wordless picture book.  Students create their own wordless picture book...

Show young readers how to put some personality and voice into their storytelling with an in-depth assignment. Kids practice saying the same thing, such as counting from one to ten, in different tones and perspectives, and then work on...

Students discuss and write about their interpretations of the art. They compare and contrast the numerous types of shoes and how they are used in a certain time and place. Students memorize the Shel Silverstein's poem, "Ickle Me, Pickle...

Pupils explore Grandparents' Day. They interview their grandparents and select an activity to highlight their interview. They select a project including writing an essay, composing a song, creating a poem or scrapbook, or writing a...

Students read the books Diary of a Fly, Diary of a Worm, and Diary of a Spider and write diary entries about them. In this reading lesson plan, students also draw pictures to go along with their diary entries.

Whether you're using it to tell stories, explore the letter b, or during a life science lesson, these butterfly puppets will be a hit. Youngsters use crayons, tissue paper, and paper bags to create butterfly puppets.

When your upper elementary or middle school class is learning about chemical changes, these activities help demonstrate the concepts. In Part A, they submerge and place a nail partially underwater, then after a week they make...

There's no need to run around trying to plan a unit for the book Maniac Magee, the work has already been done for you. Through a series of whole class, small group, and independent lessons and activities, students practice...

How highly does your class value family? What about familial advice, individual rights, and cultural identity? Examine the literary themes in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club before opening the book with an anticipation guide. Class...

Students demonstrate real-object writing. They discuss a leaf that has human attributes, and using a real leaf write a story about a leaf that tells them a joke, and create an illustration of themselves and their leaf.

Tenth graders analyze the popular fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs" for inaccurate references to wolves. They write a story (or compose a song) that correctly depicts the characteristics, traits and predator-prey relationship of a wolf.

In this picture prompt learning exercise, students practice writing their own short stories from a picture of fawns playing in snowy woods. Students write their stories from a word list generated by the teacher.

In this teacher friendly creative writing worksheet, there is a space for teachers to write and print a word list for students to use with the picture prompt of Valentine mice. Students write 1 story.

While offering a long list of questions involving verb conjugation, this activity would require teacher direction. Some of the instructions aren't clear. The 30 question review of verb usage would be a good review for middle school...

Students compose songs about recycling. In this ecology lesson, students use vocabulary and concepts related to recycling to generate lyrics for an original song. Students construct musical instruments out of discarded materials.

Students write about giving a gift. In this writing lesson students read the book Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco. Students read silently and discuss the story with their classmates. Students write about wanting to buy a gift for...

Here is a wonderful lesson designed for students with special needs. This well-thought-out lesson uses Big Books, familiar stories, and has a lot of review learning built into it. The book, The Keeping Quilt is used in the main part of...

Students listen to a story called Dan, the Flying Man. Students then make a class book describing what Dan would fly over if he came to town. Students illustrate the book using watercolor paints. Students write their stories using a word...

Student practice reading fluently and expressively through the use of writing. various. After discussing how expressive reading enhances the reading experience, 3rd graders write a story featuring expressive words and correct...