Curated OER
Dinosaurs: "If I had a Dinosaur"
First graders analyze what it would be like to own a dinosaur. In this dinosaur writing activity, 1st graders review knowledge and key terms about dinosaurs in order to complete a one paragraph creative writing assignment. Students...
Curated OER
Nature Notes
Students spend some time outdoors and record their observations of abiotic conditions, geologic surroundings and living organisms. They reflect and write about the experience of being observant in nature.
Curated OER
Japanese Noh Masks
Students examine Japanese theatre and create their own face masks which display certain emotions, props, costumes and perform in improvisational theatrical games.
Curated OER
Pictorial Portfolio
Students develop a pictorial portfolio of important assignments, projects and activities through their high school years. They use a camera and decide what makes a good photograph. Students organize their photographs into a portfolio...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Encounters with Native Americans
Students research what the exchange was between the various Native American groups and Lewis and Clark. They are able to write reflections after truly considering the issue with the help of research.
Curated OER
Mississippi Delta Blues Moves: Second in a Series of Three with Barb Hoffman and Steve Hoskins, MGM
Learners complete a graphic organizer reviewing Barb Hoffman's prior lesson plan," Slave Songs (1840-1876)" as well as listen to and discuss Delta Blues music samples. Students research one Delta Blues singer and write a "color coded"...
Curated OER
Persuasion
Students explore the characteristics of a persuasive letter. They label each characteristic and they create a persuasive letter using the correct business letter format. Students recommend a school rule or change of a rule and justify...
Curated OER
The Class Garden Essay
Fifth graders use a class garden as inspiration for a specific writing assignment. They conduct research into different types of flowers in photo images taken with a digital camera. Students write a creative essay and draw a picture to...
Curated OER
Agricultural Economics and the American Revolution
Read through this printable version of a handout discussing Economics and the American Revolution. There are key terms and facts for students to focus on. This case study illustrates economic principles that remain important today. See...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Rain Drop Shape Poem
This lesson plan uses the mentor text by Wendy Cheyette Lewison entitled Raindrop, Plop! This lesson plan, which has a focus on word choice, engages students in brainstorming descriptive words and phrases about raindrops. At the end of...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Tail Acrostic Poems
In this lesson, Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur Mentor, Silver Seeds by Paul Paolilli, and Henry & The Kite Dragon by Bruce Edward Hall are used as mentor texts. Students will practice their acrostic skills on the tail...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Prose Poetry Paragraphs
Inspired by the vignettes of Sandra Cisneros, students will write about a familiar thing from their lives. Students will use the style of prose poetry to describe something familiar around their home, school or neighborhood. The final...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Color Personification Poems
In this activity, Hailstones and Halibut Bones, a book written by Mary O'Neill and Red Sings, and From Treetops: a Year in Colors, a book by Joyce Sidman, are used as mentor texts. Students will brainstorm to collect different...
Other
Lexiconic.net: Elements of Poetry
This resource explains how to approach an analysis of a poem. It discusses assumptions people may have, the importance of reading it closely before analyzing it, looking at the stanza structure, the type of poem, the sound patterns,...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Poem for Two Voices [Pdf]
In this lesson students write in contrasting voices to create a descriptive poem.
CPALMS
Cpalms: A Chilly Feeling
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this close reading activity, the students will analyze the poem "It Fell in the City" by Eve Merriam. They will read the poem, identify words or phrases that show feelings or appeal to the senses,...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: The Backwards Writing Assignment
In this lesson students will create a backwards poem based on descriptive settings and characters.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Epithet
This is a glossary entry for the term "Epithet" including definitions and examples from a number of poets.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: So Much Depends Upon
In this lesson young scholars will write a descriptive short story based upon 16-word imagery poems they have previously written.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Unique Metaphor Collections
In this instructional activity, the first chapter of the novel Girl with a Pearl Earring is used as a mentor text. Students will identify metaphors and then create their own unique metaphorical descriptions that they will begin to...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Left Brained Writing Prompt: Start & Stop Game: Adjectives
To use this writing prompt generator, click on the button until you find an adjective that inspires a description or a poem in your mind. Sometimes just one good word can put a whole story idea in your head! The object of every Start...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Left Brained Writing Prompt: The Start and Stop Game: Verbs
To use this writing prompt generator, click on the button until you find a verb that inspires a description or a poem in your mind. Sometimes just one good word can put a whole story idea in your head! The object of every Start &...