ReadWriteThink
Scaffolding Methods for Research Paper Writing
Rome wasn't built in a day, but researchers can be with proper scaffolding. This writing unit has scholars write a research paper through scaffolding of various parts of the process. Learners begin with identifying a topic and crafting a...
University of Houston
Personal Narratives: Writing, Revising, and Publishing (WRAP)
Writing is a process, and lesson planning is, too! A personal narrative unit stresses the writing process to pupils, who first examine various stories and poems as a model of autobiographical writing and then write their own stories....
ReadWriteThink
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: From Image to Detailed Narrative
A picture's worth a thousand words—and even more inspiration! A visual activity uses photographs to inspire writers. The process teaches aspects of narrative writing, such as point of view and characterization.
Curated OER
Responding To Literature
Students prepare for and respond to literature selections. This package includes nineteen lessons, each covering a different reading selection. Pre-reading and response activities are included for each lesson as well as extension and...
Curated OER
After Hamelin
Middle schoolers discuss the story The Pied Piper. In this reading comprehension lesson, students participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance and further their understanding of the story. Middle schoolers interview an...
Curated OER
Writer's Workshop: Mood Endings
Students listen to a story, "My Mama Had A Dancing Heart." They discuss the feeling they had after reading the story and define "mood." Students brainstorm a list of moods and discuss the mood of each character. Afterward, they write a...
Curated OER
Cooperative Learning Lesson Plans
Cooperative learning activities can help students feel like they are active members of a classroom community.
Curated OER
Using a Preview Checklist with Informational Text
Sixth graders identify information from texts by working in pairs using Wikki Stix or highlighting tape to locate, mark, and read items on preview checklist. Students then compare what they marked with what another pair marked.
Curated OER
Model Lesson Plan
Students, five of the "best" readers in the class, get a script and read over their part of the instructional activity before they begin to "teach" the class.
Curated OER
Summarize This!
Students explore how to summarize a reading passage. They read non-fiction books. Students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two animals they read about. They write a summary using the information in their Venn Diagram.
Curated OER
Exploring American Tall Tales
Students explore elements of American folktales and tall tales. In this literature lesson, students read examples of American folktales and tall tales and prepare a monologue or news report to present to the class based on their readings.
Curated OER
ABC Brainstorm
Students practice a variety of strategies for mastering ABC brainstorming about a major topic. They take a topic and try to think of a word or phrase associated with that topic that begins with each letter of the alphabet and match them...
Curated OER
Safe Passwords
Students brainstorm synonyms for security. In this Computer Skills lesson, students compare the home security to password security. Students read an article and review strategies for creating strong passwords. Students apply their...
Curated OER
Growth and Development
Young scholars read the folktale, "The Magical Stone", and discuss questions imbedded in the lesson.
Curated OER
Using "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" to Teach Cause and Effect
Students discuss cause and effect relationships and the chain reaction involved before listening to the story "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears". Students create flow charts to show the chain reactions of causes and effects in the...
Curated OER
Primary Source: Lucy
In this primary source learning exercise, students read a selection about Lucy, a skeleton discovered in 1974, then complete a set of 4 document-based questions.
Curated OER
Whodunit? Creating Mysterious Plays
Students examine mystery plays by reading a number of five-minute mysteries. They write and perform their own plays.
Curated OER
Multicultural Literature Lesson Plan The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland
Sixth graders begin reading "The Lotus Seed" before determining a plant that is a representative of their country or region. They illustrate the plant and write sentences about it and locate the region on a map. Finally, they make a...
Curated OER
Unplugged
Students read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Students debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...
Curated OER
The Keys To Higher Learning
Students discuss the validity of using the internet for learning. They compare and contrast the various strategies for learning when done online and in class. Students prepare a lesson plan for an online class and write a paper...
Curated OER
Any Way You Slice It
Students read an article on the history of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and transfer the information onto a graphic organizer. They write instructions on how to make a sandwich and switch with a partner. They make and eat...
Curated OER
President Jefferson's Cipher: Cracking the Code
Students examine the journey out west by Lewis and Clark. Using a cipher from President Jefferson, they solve a code he gave to the explorers before setting out on their exploration. They share his message with the class and state...
Curated OER
Use Guess and Check to Solve Math Problems
In this problem solving worksheet, students read about using the guess and check strategy for solving math word problems. They use the strategy to solve 8 problems. They read about the working backwards and using visuals as problem...
Curated OER
A Biography of Amir Khan
In this literature worksheet, students read a biography about Amir Khan, a middleweight boxer who won an Olympic bronze in Athens. They identify whether each statement is true or false. Then, students look at his career and respond to...