Curated OER
Verb Tenses
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...
Curated OER
Stargirl
Students create a manual for sixth graders entering middle school. In this Stargirl instructional activity, students read the story and discuss middle and high school issues found in the book. Students create a list of topics...
National First Ladies' Library
Writing (and Rewriting!) History
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
Curated OER
Word Wizard
In this word wizard learning exercise, students add to the beginning or end of fifteen groups of words listed to make a new word or common phrase.
Curated OER
The Family Tree
Middle schoolers make a family tree. In this family lesson plan, students brainstorm what the word family means, interview their family members and grandparents, create a family tree, list their family's favorite foods and write an essay...
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English Literature Circle Discussion
Students participate in literary circles to analyze characters, critique writing, discuss events, and story elements. In this literary circles lesson, students take responsibility for their learning as a member of the...
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The Call of the Wild
Students read The Call of the Wild, noting its theme of survival. They investigate the book's concepts with word webs, spider maps, or graphic organizers. They conduct a panel discussion on dogs and wolves. They write a letter to the...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview
Students complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...
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Reading Clinic: Use Predictions to Help Kids Think Deeply About Books
Students learn to use prediction to think more deeply about literature. In this reading comprehension lesson, students chart predictions in order to more fully understand text.
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China: Culture and Young Adult literature
Eighth graders are introduced to Chinese language and culture to make Asian reading selections in literature circles more meaningful. They write about Chinese characters, work on oral speaking, and read Asian books and then have...
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Art Mystery
Students explore famous artists in order to write mystery stories incorporating their life and works. They write their own based on their research of a particular artist.
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Discussion Director
In this discussion activity learning exercise, students read the descriptions of several individual roles for book discussion groups. Students then complete specific activities based on the role they take.
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I've Never Tried That - Present Perfect Tense
Students choose three items from a list and discuss the cultural importance of each one. They complete a chart, research information, create a presentation and share it with their peers. Students choose activities to in which to...
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Children's Literature
A short, eight-slide show inspires viewers to read to preschoolers. The benefits of reading to children are listed, including the four areas of development affected. Tips for choosing quality literature for this age group are also...
Curated OER
The Chosen: Writing Strategy
Pondering Rembrandt’s portraits provide readers of The Chosen an opportunity to “listen to [the] silence and learn from it,” as they consider Reb Saunders from a different perspective. After examining several paintings, viewers write...
Curated OER
Examining Paragraphs for Errors: Spelling
Learners review a job advertisement to find the error and then select which kind of mistake it is from a multiple choice list. To extend, have them correct the error. Note: It is a spelling mistake. Advertisement is written in British...
Curated OER
Famous Authors Vocabulary Quiz
Audience, novel, plot, style. Young readers are asked to match words associated with literature to the provided definitions. Might be fun to use as part of a literature review contest.
Curated OER
Famous Authors Find the Definition Worksheet
Consider using this instructional activity as a group work exercise early in a novel study unit. Learners must identify the meaning of words associated with narrative literature. An answer key is provided.
Scholastic
Abraham Lincoln: A Time Line Research Project
Though Abraham Lincoln's life was tragically cut short, it was filled with accomplishments and inspiring moments that continue to influence American democracy. Explore the ways the 16th president of the United States made his way from a...
Curated OER
Be the Poet
Students work through a Haiku Organizer to determine the characteristics they use to write eight haiku poems on a theme that they choose. They design presentation folders of their completed work.
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What's Missing? Making Room for Multiple Perspectives
Students identify missing characters from a text, particularly a school text. They increase critical thinking by supplying missing perspectives in a text an build empathy through surveying different points of view. They reflect on the...
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Understanding the Complexities of Setting with Where the Lilies Bloom
After reading Where the Lilies Bloom and researching the wildflowers and herbs mentioned in the novel, class members create a mural that reflects the setting of the novel. Groups design the background, the houses of the characters, the...
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Reading Questions: Alex Haley's "My Furthest Back Person: The African"
Based on Alex Haley's moving essay "My Furthest Back Person: The African," these 11 questions support comprehension and prepare readers for discussion of the text. Use this tool, and the essay, as a nonfiction addition to units on...
Curated OER
The Iliad
Explore ancient warfare through a dramatic reading of select portions of The Iliad with your class. They will identify the major characters in The Iliad and explain the strategies, external forces, and alliances of the Trojan War