Curated OER
A Photo Essay
Students create a photo essay and present it to the class. The students bring photos to use for their essay and develop a story using the photos. The students write captions including characters, setting, and plot for each photo. They...
Curated OER
The Seasons
Students label posters with the four seasons of the year. They draw or use magazine pictures that demonstrate the clothing worn for each season. They brainstorm a list of holidays that occur within each season.
Curated OER
SCI-FI TALES
Fifth graders brainstorm known features of science fiction books and titles read. They pair up and discuss the possible physical characteristics fo a creature that could appear fron an excerpt of SCI-FI TALES.
Curated OER
Trust Circles
Learners compare communities to which they belong. In this social studies and language arts lesson, students discuss trust and use a Venn diagram to compare two communities to which they belong.
Curated OER
Lasting Impressions
Learners brainstorm a list of images, people, and emotions that they associate with news stories that are particularly moving. They explore how the play "The Laramie Project" presents the events surrounding Matthew Shepard's death....
Curated OER
First Things First
Fourth graders complete a narrative writing (focusing on voice) and an illustration about their earliest memory. After listening to a book that sets the stage, 4th graders work in small groups to brainstorm moments they can remember and...
Curated OER
You've Got to Express Yourself!
Students listen as a sample paragraph is read twice; first without expression, and the second time with lots of expression and discuss which they liked best. They brainstorm reasons why reading with expression is important listing them...
Curated OER
Words In The News: Beverly Hills Smoking Ban
Students read news articles about the proposed smoking ban in California restaurants. After discussing the news report, they role-play scenarios about nonsmoking situations. In groups, they brainstorm the pros and cons of smoking bans...
Curated OER
Linking Civilizations and Personal Heritage Through Multimedia and Art
Students explore images, symbols, and the relationship they establish with their own personal heritage. They discuss Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations. Students interview their family about their own personal heritage. Additional cross...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Finding the Positive
To instill the importance of a positive classroom community small groups create a collage out of magazine clippings that highlight three characteristics of self-awareness. Written examples accompany the finished product. Groups turn in...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Risk Taking Behaviors
Sophomores can be sometimes wise and sometimes foolish. The same can be said for their behaviors. After watching a presentation about risk taking behaviors, class members discuss the presentation in small groups, and then complete a...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Fatal Accident
While there may not be any ghostbusters in the neighborhood, there are plenty of emergency response agencies ready to give support if something is amiss. To that end, instructors invite a member of an emergency response agency to address...
Museum of Tolerance
My Experience with Injustice
As part of their preparation for a visit to the Museum of Tolerance, individuals are asked to write about a time when they witnessed or experienced unjust, biased, or prejudicial treatment. A great way for writers to make a personal...
Peace Corps
Celebrating Our Connections Through Water
Water is vital for survival, but how does it help global cultures flourish? Elementary and middle schoolers learn about the different cultures around the world that celebrate water and incorporate it into their festivals or traditions.
Curated OER
Making Connection, Using Metaphor
Chief Seatle's "Letter to President Pierce, 1855" provides the text for a skills exercise that asks readers to consider how writers use metaphors to contribute to the meaning and impact of a work. Participants then apply what they have...
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Using Maps to Inspire Personal Narratives
A solid description of one way to teach narrative writing, this resource outlines the writing process from concept to completion. Class members create concept maps of moments in their lives and follow the writing process to publish their...
Curated OER
Extemporaneous Speeches
Students perform the six steps of writing an extemporaneous speech including, choosing a topic, researching, writing, practicing delivering and processing.
Curated OER
Write It, Read It, Solve It
Writers create an original mystery and have a chance to put it into movie format. The classic elements of a mystery must be present: the crime, the suspects, the motive, the solution and clues. Use iPhoto and Quicktime Movie to integrate...
Curated OER
Using Personal Pronouns Correctly
Complete personal pronoun practice activities. Pupils use correct personal pronoun form in sentences the teacher writes on the board. They review the function of a pronoun and the various cases and practice placing personal pronouns by...
Curated OER
Listen To What I Found Out
In this research lesson, students complete a graphic organizer to help them organize their thoughts about a research topic. At first, students engage in a class discussion which focuses on how to frame questions, establish a topic, and...
Curated OER
Rootin', Tootin' and Lootin'
Students brainstorm about topics relating to pirates that could be included in each group's rap. The students are provided with a rhyme pattern or form of the rap which you would like them to write. As a class, develop a sample rap, or...
Curated OER
Cultural Inquiry Lesson 2B: Finding Artifacts and Analysis
Students build on their knowledge of sources, by looking at 2 types of information sources: artifacts or primary sources and analysis or secondary sources. They brainstorm a list of primary and secondary sources connected to one of...
Curated OER
A Classroom Coin
Students examine coins and find symbols that were selected for the country. They discuss the eagle as a symbol of the United States. They develop a list of characteristics of their class and design a coin that embodies these qualities.
Curated OER
Introducing the Narrative Account Web Page
Students complete a narrative writing assignment by critiquing a sample webpage. In this narrative writing lesson, students view the sample webpage and take notes. Students create a similar webpage that contains a narrative account based...