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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Story Creation Magic: Character, Setting, Plot

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students review the terms plot, setting, and characters and examine how all of these elements are needed to make a story. They are given parts of stories and they try to identify all of those parts of the story.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Message in a Bottle

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
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Worksheet
Teachit

Keeping a Reader's Journal

For Students 3rd - 5th
A reader's journal can help pupils comprehend, connect to, and remember a text. Have them follow the prompts here to write journal entries for any literary text.
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Lesson Plan
Spreading Gratitude Rocks

Values Survey

For Students 7th - 12th
What are the most important values a person possesses? Teens and parents take a collaborative survey and discuss what values are important to them. They return the signed form to the teacher to confirm they completed the activity. 
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Unit Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Problem Solvers: Challenge Activities (Theme 4)

For Teachers 4th Standards
Creative activities help bring literature alive. The first of a set of lessons designed to accompany selections from Theme 4: Problem Solvers uses activities such as skits, responses to music, and social studies projects. These...
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Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Beezus and Ramona Novel Study

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having siblings? Pupils explore this topic with the Beezus and Ramona novel study. Additionally, scholars answer questions about chapter one of the time-honored book by Beverly Cleary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unconditional Kindness

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students express their feelings about their neighbors and how to be kind to others. Teacher and students discuss the meaning of philanthropy and how they can be kind to others. After reading a particular trade book, students are assessed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foreign Language: Mira

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students complete a series of activities based on the book, Mira, culminating in the presentation of a play. Included in the 21 activities are puppeteering, drawing, and reciting poetry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Number the Stars, Lesson 3

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider how an author creates a feeling of suspense in a reader's mind. They analyze characters in the story. Students make a character map for Peter. They discuss how suspense unfolds in the novel Number the Stars.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a play to work on seeing events from a different perspective. Some of them are reporters, some cameramen and women, and others are interviewed. They put themselves in the shoes of the people in the book...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gandhi's Life and Guiding Principles

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate philosophy by researching the life of Mahatma Gandhi.  In this biographical lesson, 2nd graders listen to a reading of the book "Gandhi" and make a character map of his actions, feelings and thoughts.  Students...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Famous Thomas Paine Quote

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this famous quote worksheet, students read a famous quote by Thomas Paine, write what they think it means and then list 3 character traits that they feel are honorable.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life of a Stage Man

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze Arthur Miller's views about his works, characterizations as played out on the stage, and the role of theater in today's society. They act as casting directors for a
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freak the Mighty - Rodman Philbrick

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and examine the novel Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. A variety of assignments involving this novel is offered for the students to complete with higher order thinking skills.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

God's Dream

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students create a "handprint rainbow" to show that together people can make beautiful things. In this character education lesson, students are read the book, "God's Dream," and discuss the emotions of themselves and the characters. Then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Choice!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate freedom. In this character development and U.S. history lesson, students participate in role playing in which the teacher assigns recess restrictions including whom they play with and what they play. Students discuss...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Much Ado About Illumination

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze the language and characters in the Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing. For this Shakespeare play lesson, students read section of the play and discuss the speech of Benedick and Claudio. Students record the speech...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symbolism Bookmarks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a bookmark about symbolism. In this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Students read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then they choose a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling Reality

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify what a role model is and what characteristics such a person should possess. They discuss a new trend in character role model figurines, which some believe perpetuate racial and ethnic stereotypes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dr. Seuss Science

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students read Bartholomew and the OObleck by Dr. Seuss and experiment with solids and liquids.  In this science and reading lesson, students observe and discuss the properties of liquids and solids.  Students make predictions of what...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Koala Has A Stumpy Tail

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students practice reading comprehension of an Australian folktale. In this Australian folktale lesson, students read the story, Why Koala Has a Stumpy Tail, before completing retells with character puppets, discussing friendship, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War II

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders read Under the Blood Red Sun (UBRS), V is for Victory (V), and Number the Stars(NS). They examine WWII through the eyes of Japanese, Danish, and American students and complete at least two projects: a radio broadcast and a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration Unit

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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 the...