Learners learn and practice phonics by listening to the teacher read aloud the book Umbrella by Taro Yashima.

Learners compare and experiment with writing e-mail messages and letters. Students learn proper e-mail format and functions as they analyze messages and replies.

Students compare an e-mail message and a letter on the same topic and discuss how they are written differently and why. Students independently compose an original e-mail message and a letter on the same topic, to the same person.

Learners identify character traits in historical fiction and research career options appropriate to the setting of a historical fiction novel. Students write a resume outlining a character's job qualifications.

Students compare and cross-reference information from fiction and nonfiction texts about animals. Students use an Internet search engine to find websites with additional factual information about animals in stories read to them.

Pupils learn the definition of a homophone. Pupils work in small cooperative groups to create short skits demonstrating an understanding of homophones and write homophone comic strips.

Young scholars identify literary elements of common genres. Students improve comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text to categorize it into literary genres.

Middle schoolers develop a critical stance regarding environmental issues and research information to support it. Middle schoolers write persuasive essays, participate in peer conferences, and self-assess their writing.

Young scholars analyze, interpret, and express the meaning of the short story "The Gift of the Magi." Students creatively express their understanding of one of the story's themes and how it relates to their lives.

Students explore appropriate resume and job application techniques to write a resume for a character.

Students define and understand the meeting of the minds technique. Students take on the role of characters in a story and debate their perspectives, clearly and convincingly presenting the characters' viewpoints. Students engage in an...

Young scholars closely observe live events and take notes on what they see. Students share and present their observations to the class, working as scientists in the classroom.

High schoolers explore the literary features writers use to create scary, suspenseful texts. Students write texts that employ suspenseful features. High schoolers develop audience awareness techniques and use that knowledge to shape...

Learners listen to the story, The Three Little Pigs, and identify significant events. The learners then write an original narrative, sketching out the series of events using comic strip panels as their storyboards.

Middle schoolers understand the concept of voice and how it is created by analyzing a story to determine aspects of a character's personality. Students create or revise a piece of their writing to incorporate strategies that demonstrate...

Students develop strategies for critically examining the origin and characteristics of myth. Students develop an awareness of the diversity, similarities, and values in various cultural and story traditions related to the American...

Students learn and practice the important skills of previewing a textbook. They learn the acronym THIEVES to help them remember the techniques and practice online and with worksheets.

Young scholars use picture books to identify the three elements of setting development. Then they apply this to creating a setting map. Finally, they revise and enhance a piece of their own writing, using what they have learned.

Read another book from the Learners. Read a new book from a familiar literature series and create their own graphic map, including symbols and descriptions of the character's life. Young scholars see the character's growth, challenges,...

Students listen to books about shapes, then use models to learn the names of shapes. Students then locate shapes in their real-world environment, practice spelling the shape words, and reflect in writing on the process.

Students use graphic organizers to support pre-reading, self-monitoring, and self-correction when reading content. Students summarize and discuss material with peers.

Students explore simile and metaphor as they read fiction and non-fiction selections in an ocean unit. Students write a page for a class book including simile and metaphor.

Learners explore alliteration in texts from the ocean unit, then compose their own class book to explore the technique in their own writing.

Learners use circle plot diagrams as writing tools to write their own stories, share their work with peers, and self-evaluate using a checklist.