Curated OER
Dream Bed
Students design and write descriptions of imaginary beds. In this interior design instructional activity, students use various art materials such as paint, fabric, boxes, and string to create a model of a bed. Students use descriptive...
Curated OER
Picture Me with Words
Students search in newspapers for words that describe them or what they like. They gather the words and use them to create a self-portrait. They read "boring" sentences and rewrite them using more descriptive words. They write 10 word...
Curated OER
Hire Me! I'm Nice!
Students create resumes. In this careers lesson, students look through classified ads and decide on a "job" to apply for. Students write mock resumes by using professional resumes as an outline.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Propaganda - 9/11 and the War on Terrorism
Propaganda is an important topic that most high school social studies teachers address. Here, learners compare and contrast methods of public persuasion during WWII with those used in the contemporary War on Terror. Research, discussion,...
Curated OER
Newspapers in Education-Sampling Italian Foods
Students use the food and entertainment section of the newspaper to find Italian restaurants in their area. They write a letter to one of the restaurants asking the restaurant to bring some sample dishes to their classroom for a project....
Curated OER
Writing a Query Letter
Students examine how to write a query letter to a publisher. They plan a short story they would like to write, conduct Internet research about possible publishers, and write a sample query letter.
Curated OER
The Bird Can Blog: Online Writing With A Twist
Learners role play the role of a clasroom pet. They write a daily blog describing the activities in the classroom. They use peer editing as well.
Curated OER
Statistical Sampling
Students collect data in the field and analyze it in class using tables and graphs to determine how many observations of a phenomenon are necessary to draw valid conclusions.
Curated OER
Have Fun With Technical Report Writing
Young scholars use Clarisworks Word Processing and Spreadsheet, Quick-Take Camera and Software, and produce a publishable technical paper.
Curated OER
Run On Sentences
Sixth graders review three sample sentences in order to identify sentence structure, and to practice how to edit sentences appropriately. They work with a partner to define a run-on sentence and identify three ways to correct it. They...
Curated OER
I Am, Am Not! Project
Get your class writing with this project idea. Kids choose two pictures of objects that are like them and two pictures of objects that are not like them to entice their readers. Then, they write an informative paragraph describing each...
Curated OER
Dead Word Wall Lesson
Help your writers eliminate "dead words" (words that are overused) from their writing. This instructional activity includes a SMART board presentation that will guide them through identifying, eliminating, and substituting "dead words"...
Curated OER
Plastic Bag Pond
Students investigate the pond water from a local water source. They collect the pond water from the bottom or near vegetation in order to obtain the best sample possible. Then they use microscopes in class in order to examine the life...
Curated OER
Rest in Peace, Maniac Magee
Scholars read Maniac Magee and create epitaphs for each of the major characters using precise words reflecting the individual characters personality and nature. They will learn what an epitaph is and practice writing their own. They can...
Curated OER
Drafting a Recording Contract
Students study the issues involved in a recording artist's contract looking at the contract from both the artist's and record company's point of view. They write a contract based on what they discover.
Curated OER
Showing Off on Summer Vacation
Fifth graders write a descriptive narrative about summer vacation. The use of this topic helps the lesson to have a high engagement level. Technology is infused in the lesson with the use of computers to write the report.
Curated OER
Basic Paragraph
Students with special needs examine how to write an organized, basic, five-sentence paragraph. Students write a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. They first practice by viewing and...
Curated OER
Persuasion in Print
Advertisers target teenagers. Groups select three magazine advertisements for similar products, analyze the appeals used in each, create a poster that features the persuasive techniques used, and present their findings to the class. The...
Curated OER
Welcome to My Community!
A "Welcome to Our Community" brochure culminates research into the people and places of interest in your community. Class members work alone or in pairs to gather information, illustrate, and write about various topics. Materials are...
Curated OER
Exploring Nature: Powerful Forces
Students observe samples of artwork which use line, shape, and form to show movement and depict natural forces of nature. They create their own piece of artwork that shows a natural force and movement and then write a descriptive...
Curated OER
Analyzing Nonfiction Text Elements - Editorials
Examine the text features of non-fiction. Start the lesson by reading editorial samples provided by their instructor and analyze the texts for word choice, details, and organization. An editorial example and graphic organizer are...
Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.6
What does the author believe about his topic? Why did he write in the first place? Challenge your class to figure out the answers to these questions as they read through informational texts. The resource provides a breakdown of the...
Curated OER
Something Special Gift Certificate
Students make gift certificates to give to others. They use creative thinking and writing skills to create the text for the certificates. They practice spelling and grammar skills.
Curated OER
U.S. and Canada: How are We the Same? How are We Different?
Get high school geographers to compare and contrast Canada and the United States. They begin by drawing a freehand map of North America, then complete readings to gain insight into Canada. The text is not provided; however, another text...