Pennsylvania Department of Education
Variations of The Gingerbread Boy
Students participate in activities base on the story of the The Gingerbread Boy. In this literacy lesson, students listen to the story before retelling a number of times. They use a variety of props during the retellings such as picture,...
Curated OER
The Secret School
Fourth graders complete activities with the book The Secret School by AVI. For this literacy lesson, review Chapter 6 and read Chapters 7-8. They write a summary of Chapter 8.
Curated OER
Mountain Myths
Students become familiar with Native American myths and legends created to explain volcanic activity. They apply the clustering, writing process and peer-editing techniques to the writing of an original myth about Mount St. Helens
Curated OER
Storytelling
Students explore the origins of folktales, fairytales, myths, legends, fables, and folktales in the ten lessons of this unit. A storytelling festival is held to feature the results of the variety of activities presented in the unit.
Curated OER
Reading and Writing Program Using Core Knowledge Literature
Students improve their reading and writing skills using Step Up to Writing and Six Traits of Writing techniques. Students complete a Robinson Crusoe vocabulary crossword, a Treasure Island character analysis web, reading comprehension...
Curated OER
Voices from the Holocaust: A Message of Hope
Students develop a sense of historical empathy as they discuss The Holocaust and roll play activities designed to highlight prejudice in today's society. In this Holocaust history and The Diary of Anne Frank lesson, students...
Curated OER
The Cleverest Thief
Second graders explore a folktale from India. In this folktale lesson, 2nd graders read the book The Cleverest Thief and discuss how the monks felt in the story. Students complete a cloze activity sheet. There are several extensions...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Nursery Rhymes
Students retell a memorized nursery rhyme. In this early public speaking activity, students retell a familiar nursery rhyme with the help of visual prompts.
Curated OER
CSAP Preparation: Don't Wait for the "Eleventh Hour"
Fifth graders participate in language arts activities designed to prepare them for taking standardized tests. The language arts format covers science and social studies content. Handouts and worksheets are included in the lesson.
Curated OER
The Name Jar
Learners participate in a lesson that focuses on the literature of Korea. "The Name Jar" is read by students to practice some essential reading skills. This would include the recognition of sequence in a story, characterization, and...
Curated OER
The Magic Box
Students use their visual-spatial intelligence to describe imagined boxes. A complete sequence of opening the imagined box and visualizing its contents is performed. Students write a summary of what they "saw" in their imagination.
Curated OER
Homesick
Students are read the books "Tanya's Reunion' and "Christina Katrina". As a class, they recall events of the stories in the correct sequence. They discuss the traditions they have within their own families and are introduced to the...
Curated OER
Bedtime Fun
Students use picture clues to sound out the beginning of words. They apply this story to them actually going to bed. At the end, students should be able to follow a story line to a conclusion. To engage students, the teacher asks...
Curated OER
Loose Tooth
Pupils read the book Loose Tooth by Magaret Yatsevitch Phinney. They discuss the activities that the character does on each day, connect the girl's experience with their own, and practice writing the days of the week with capital letters.
Curated OER
Guided Reading With Juicy Peach
Students discuss eating and picking peaches and participate in other pre-reading activities before reading the book, Juicy Peach. They read the book independently, but are guided by directive questions from their teacher. A discussion...
Curated OER
Guided Reading with Pran's Week of Adventure
Students participate in pre-reading activities before reading the book, Pran's Week of Adventure. They read the book independently, but are guided by directive questions from their teacher. A discussion follows, as well as repeated...
Curated OER
Celebrate Reading!
Students improve their reading skills by completing at home reading assignments. In this reading skills lesson, students participate in a bulletin board competition to help them track and progress with their daily reading. Students...
Curated OER
Library Guide to the States
Students use a library research activity to research the fifty United States. In this library research lesson, students complete a unit of lessons where they research and study the fifty states in the United States. Students research the...
Curated OER
Home Spelling Practice: Media Words
In this spelling worksheet, students learn to spell a list of 20 words that pertain to media and journalism. Students write each word one time on the lines. There are additional optional activities for these words.
Curated OER
Beginning and Ending Sounds
First graders practice their letter and word recognition skills. In this initial and final sounds lesson, 1st graders participate in a classroom activity that requires them to blend phonemes into spoken words and sound out multisyllable...
Curated OER
Rooster's Night Out
First graders complete interdisciplinary activities associated with a folktale from Cuba. In this Cuban folktale lesson, 1st graders read the Rooster's Night Out, before completing comprehension worksheets, make recipes, and...
Curated OER
Nina Bonita: Culture and Beauty
Students read Nina Bonita by Ana Maria Machado. In this reading comprehension/ geography lesson, students recall various parts of the story and create a map of where the rabbit traveled throughout the story. They participate in group...
Curated OER
Art Transitions: Morphs
Students identify artistic expression by participating in a morph activity. In this art analysis instructional activity, students identify the work of Keith Haring and examine some of his flip books. Students practice creating artistic...
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...