Curated OER
Animal Diaries
Launch this lesson plan with Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm! Discuss the format and content of a diary, and ask learners if they've ever kept a diary before. Then, after an introductory discussion, have learners choose an insect or...
Curated OER
Our First 100 Days
Students discuss what they want to accomplish in their first one hundred days at school. Individually, they use markers to decorate a journal in which they write down their ideas and accomplishments. To end the instructional activity,...
Curated OER
Middle Ages Diary
Learners research life in the Middle Ages. They write a historical fiction diary based on a character they create. Students use the six steps to process writing to complete their diary. They orally present their diaries to the class.
Curated OER
A Visit to Aunt Louisa's
Fourth graders write a diary entry. In this journaling lesson students examine a 1880's primary source document. Students read about a young girl visiting her Aunt in rural Indiana. Students write about what they did in the last day.
Curated OER
Animal Diaries
Students read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing lesson, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Students apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students share their diaries....
Curated OER
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
In this unit, students examine the many different themes in Anne Frank's diary. They connect the themes to their own life and keep a journal to explore the triumphs and challenges in their own life.
Curated OER
A Family Apart
Pupils create an abc book, acrostic poem, diary, caricature, haiku, and more for the story A Family Apart. In this A Family Apart lesson plan, students also have vocabulary words to use.
Curated OER
Oregon Trail Diary
Learners pretend they are on the Oregon Trail and keep a diary of their adventures. In this Oregon Trail lesson plan, students write about their decisions to move, crossing rivers, buying supplies, and more.
Curated OER
Diaries From the Holocaust
Sixth graders find similarities and differences in two different diary entries. In this Holocaust history meets literary skills lesson, 6th graders read the diary of a soldier or prisoner from the the Auschwitz concentration camp and...
Curated OER
Egyptian Diary Project
Seventh graders complete a journal activity in conjunction with a study of ancient Egypt. In this history and writing lesson, 7th graders write a journal entry based on the life of an ancient Egyptian pharoah they create.
Curated OER
Oregon Trail Diary
Students write a diary. In this writing and creativity lesson, students pretend they are moving west and keep a diary about their adventures. Students study real-life scenarios about families who made the trip out west before writing...
Curated OER
The Mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke
Students research the Lost Colony of Roanoke by interpreting John White's diary as a primary source.
Curated OER
Ane Frank: Writer
Tenth graders investigates a website to gather information on the Holocaust and Anne Frank. They compare Anne Frank's characteristics to other peers. Students explore specific examples and draw conclusions about human behavior.
Curated OER
History Matters: Making Sense of Letters & Diaries
"Making Sense of of Letters & Diaries," explores the historical importance of various types of "personal texts." Learn the general characteristics of personal texts and read various online diaries and letters of historical...
![Smithsonian in Your Classroom: Introduction to the Nature Journal [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Smithsonian in Your Classroom: Introduction to the Nature Journal [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian in Your Classroom: Introduction to the Nature Journal [Pdf]
Smithsonian in the Classroom presents "Introduction to the Nature Journal." Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students will practice and develop their skills of writing observations and making hypotheses....
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian in Your Classroom: Introduction to the Nature Journal [Pdf]
Smithsonian in the Classroom presents "Introduction to the Nature Journal." Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students will practice and develop their skills of writing observations and making hypotheses....
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum
Rutherford B. Hayes Center: Who Is James K. Polk?
This page features an analysis of the Democratic Party's decision to nominate the relatively unknown James Polk for their presidential candidate in 1844. This article gives insight into the political atmosphere of the time.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Evaluating Eyewitness Reports
In this instructional activity, students practice working with primary documents by comparing accounts of the Chicago Fire and testing the credibility of a Civil War diary.
Hopelink
Hopelink: Writing Lesson Idea: Keeping a Journal
Explore the world of journal writing with this valuable lesson plan filled with suggestions.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Power Point Life Span Diaries
Students research an animal or other living creature and create a life-span diary similar to the one they read about in the book Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin. PowerPoint presentations are made for students to use while sharing their...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Diary
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the diary discusses the transition from the first diaries being used strictly for business to diaries being used for personal use. Also gives details on diary (or journal) writing during the 21st...
Other
Impassioned: Journals, Diaries and Notebooks
This site includes examples of diaries, journals, and notebooks in the Collection at Richard Hugo House and The Diary Library of Corralitos, California. Focuses upon the genre of diaries and journals within the practice of writing....
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: A Diary From Dixie
A summary and full text of A Diary from Dixie, an account of life as a woman in the South during the Civil War, by Mary Chesnut.
C-SPAN
American Writers: Mary Chesnut
An informational site on Mary Chesnut. Includes general information about her life, works, and writings, including A Diary from Dixie. Also includes links to other sites.