Students are to discover ways in which to spark their interest in writing. As a class, they examine the purpose and function of political conventions. Individually, they role-play they are a page at a National convention and identify...

Students explore fictional characters. In this fictional characters lesson, students hear information about a character then ask and answer questions. Students also answer true/false questions about the character and make a mini book...

This lesson plan uses Shakespeare's writing as a model for elementary students, encouraging them use their imaginations to explore to the evocative powers of language. It gives them a manageable piece of text which they can master and...

Students choose a short story or book and a student takes on the role of one of the characters in the story. They complete an interview worksheet and then students question each other further about the character they are playing.

Young scholars examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.

Students sing and read the old favorite song Wheels on the Bus, and write new song text for a poster and a class book.

Students write poems and a narrative story.  In this writing lesson, students read stories and poems written by other students and read examples of haiku's and diamonte's.  Students write an acrostic poem and a diamonte...

Young scholars analyze the author's style to learn techniques for strengthening their own writing. They re-read "Music in the Fields" and highlight images that create vivid pictures in their minds-places where Young "shows, not tells"...

Students explore concrete poetry. In this instructional activity about poetry, students read A Poke in the I, by Paul B. Janeczko, and are introduced to concrete poems. Students read several different kinds of concrete poems including...

In this grammar and language arts worksheet, students learn to immediately recognize errors in word usage and grammar. Students collaborate to play a game in small groups. Students read questions and possible answers on a card and...

Students investigate shadows.  In this shadows and technology instructional activity, students listen to the book Ten Grouchy Groundhogs or Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day! and discuss how shadows are made.  Students match...

As part of a study of narrative writing, young story tellers are asked to revise 20 telling sentences and create showing ones.

Using a "Hamburger" essay outline and actual hamburger buns, you will demonstrate the role a thesis plays in a persuasive essay. This is a simplistic visual representation of how an argumentative paper should be composed and not an...

Young readers practice looking words up in the dictionary. This instructional activity describes a simple, yet engaging, game that can be played as a whole-class activity.

Instill the importance of respect in your classroom with a comprehensive unit that focuses on positive behavior in and outside of school. Three parts, each separated into four grade-specific lessons, cover bullying, bias, name-calling,...

Are learners heavy sighing at the idea of reading a primary source, written in a language that is difficult to understand and in cursive? Look no further, because the resource breaks down the Declaration of Independence in an...

Newspapers aren't only for reading—they're for learning skills, too! A journalism unit provides three lessons each for primary, intermediate, and secondary grades. Lessons include objectives, materials, vocabulary, and procedure, and...

An Online NewsHour article about scholarly ethics launches this study of plagiarism. Since historians are supposed to bring original ideas and perspectives to their publications, they must give credit to the ideas of others. After a...

How can you effectively provide detailed concepts of water properties to your high school class in a way they find exciting and challenging at the same time? By letting them play, of course! Through a variety of...

How do nineteenth-century texts by African American and Native American writers contribute to the country's ideals of freedom and individuality? Learners explore the topic by watching and discussing a video, reading biographies, writing...

A unit focuses on prewriting skills. Over 10 days, young scholars practice drawing lines and shapes, use play dough to build shapes, and track from left to right. Pupils put their sense of hearing to the test by listening for words...

In this finish the story activity learning exercise, students read an unfinished short story entitled "The Troublemaker". Students use the lines provided to finish the story as they wish.

In these language arts worksheets, students are presented a picture and a space is provided for the teacher to type a word list for the students to use in the story. Students synthesize a story using the given word list related to the...

In this finish the story activity worksheet, students read a 5 paragraph story entitled "The Zoo". Students use the lines provided to finish the story as they wish.