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Listening to Gather Evidence in a Reading Selection
Fourth graders explore an Ethiopian folktale, "Fire on the Mountain." In this literature instructional activity, 4th graders evaluate and record the evidence, as well as make predictions about what they think will happen. Students...
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Time Capsule - Jewish Children In Concentration Camps
Students explore personal characteristics of Jewish students in concentration camps and the ghetto and make a time capsule of events and photographs following survivors from the ghetto and concentration camps to freedom.
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Feeling Good About My Body: A Lesson on Self Esteem
Third graders explore the concept of self esteem. In this health lesson plan, 3rd graders participate in several classroom activities that address developing a positive self concept.
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Sato and the Elephants
Students write a persuasive letter to the government of an African country that has elephants as a resource. Students research and debate the pros and cons of ivory use. Students identify the value of ivory products versus the lives of...
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Journey to Topaz, a Literature Based Approach
Students view a video clip of the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They read parts of a book in which a child tells her story about living in the internment camps. They participate in a simulation activity as well.
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The Book Boy by Joanna Trollope
Students read, analyze and critique the novel, "The Book Boy," by Joanna Trollope. They brainstorm if you can tell a book by its cover, construct a character map, explore cultural differences and investigate how a family hides a family...
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Using Children's Literature to Teach Writing: Oh, Tucker!
Students are read the book "Oh, Tucker". They write a paper about the positive and negative aspects of having a dog as a pet. They use a graphic organizer to organize their thoughts and they edit them the next day in class.
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Rhythm in Language - Feel the SWAMP BEAT!
Students explore the rhythm of words. In this reading skills lesson, students read Bedtime at the Swamp and use rhythm instruments to find the cadence in the words of the story. Students listen for rhythm in other written text as they...
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The Polar Express
Learners read The Polar Express.They prepare a painting on KidPix that shows what they predict The Polar Express will be about. They show their paintings and tell what they feel the story is about and discuss why it is important to...
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The Little Red Hen
Students analyze a classic children's story by discussing it with their peers. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read The Little Red Hen, and discuss ways the hen takes care of his responsibilities. Students utilize Clip...
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Dr. Seuss Diaries
Learners find a Dr. Seuss quote or saying from a selected book and relate it to their own life experience by using the quote in a short story. They choose a Dr. Seuss book from a pre-selected group or from the school library. Students...
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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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F is for Fish
Young scholars study the letter "F, f" in order to recognize it, say its sound, and write it. They watch a partner's mouth as they make the "f" sound before repeating a tongue twister that contains many "f" sounds. Next, they practice...
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Introduce Vocabulary: Gregory the Terrible Eater
Students are read Gregory the Terrible Eater, by Mitchell Sharmat. In this vocabulary focused instructional activity, students discover the meaning of four new words. They discuss the meanings of the words, as a group, both before and...
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The Brand New Kid
Second graders explore cultural differences through reading. In this culture lesson plan, 2nd graders read the book The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric. Students discuss scenes from the book and how the character feels. Student get with a...
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Eagle Song
Students read a book. In this comprehension instructional activity, students read the book Eagle Song stopping to answer comprehension questions about each chapter. Students complete post reading activities including a Tree of Peace.
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Helping the Needy - What now?
Students become familiar with local organizations from the four sectors of the economy that help the needy. In this service project instructional activity, students interview people from organizations that help the needy. Students...
Roald Dahl
The BFG Lesson Plans
A 55-page unit examines the novel, The BFG, by Roald Dahl. Six lessons pay close attention to friendship, dreams, and believing themes while analyzing interesting characters, writing creative vocabulary, smilies, metaphors, an exciting...
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If I Were A Statue
Students locate and identify statues in their local community. They write what they would see or hear and how they would feel if they were statues. They illustrate their stories.
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The Five Senses
Students participate in a scavenger hunt using their sense of sight. They bring various texture materials from home and discuss how things feel. Students identify the smells inside five jars. They discuss things they hear and why hearing...
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Annotating Poetry
Use text marking and highlighting to explore the structure of a poem. After listening to Allan Ahlberg read "Please Mrs. Butler," learners locate stanzas and patterns on their copy of the poem using the text marking technique. Class...
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Gingerbread Baby's Point of View #8
Read the story Gingerbread Baby and use these various activities to connect to grammar, art, and point of view. In one activity, learners create character masks. They practice writing verbs on the back of the masks to tell what each...
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Welcome Back to the Computer Lab: Starting a New School Year
Get kids re-oriented to the computer lab for back-to-school. The constructivist approach in this session allows children to exert ownership of their behavior in the computer lab. Read aloud a few books about good and poor manners, as...
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Guided Reading with Jazz Baby
Jazz music and musicians are the focus of this language arts lesson. Young readers independently read the book Jazz Baby. To build fluency and independence they read silently, but are guided by directive comments from the teacher. They...