Curated OER
Identifying Theme
What's theme, and can texts of every length have one? Explore the themes of fives short reading passages with your middle school class. Encourage them to highlight specific places in the text where they recognized the theme.
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Students develop computer research skills while searching facts about Harriet Tubman. Students learn about ways in which Harriet Tubman's childhood influenced her future. Students learn to use primary documents to learn about the...
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Beneath the Surface of the Poem
Students examine poems from Latin America and the Caribbean. They compare different perspectives and subjects in the poems. They research Peace Corps volunteers as well.
Japan Society
Tanabata: Japan's Star Festival
The Star Festival or Tanbata, is a holiday celebrated in Japan every year. People make tanzakus out of paper and hang them on the trees. Pupils will learn about this culturally significant holiday while creating tanzakus of their own....
Curated OER
Happy 100th Birthday Airplane
Students research the Wright Brothers and their plane. In this airplane history lesson, students use a hotlist of sites to research and create an airplane. A question is provided for each site.
Library Sparks
Bridge to Terabithia: Library Lessons
Foreshadowing, flashbacks, and imaginary places are the three topics of focus in this two-lesson plan packet written especially for the book, Bridge to Terabithia. Each lesson plan also comes with worksheets and activities to support...
Novelinks
Oedipus the King: Organizational Patterns
Designed for teachers of Sophocles' Oedipus the King, this packet provides information about themes and literary devices used in the play. Appropriate for first-time and veteran teachers of Sophocles' tragedy.
Curated OER
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
After reading Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, bring your class to the computer lab so they can study for an upcoming unit quiz. There are 12 multiple choice questions provided, and they all have to do with information recall.
Curated OER
Who Can Achieve the "American Dream"
Exploring the idea of working to achieve the American Dream, the class reads an excerpt from How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents by Julia Alvarez. Following, the class analyzes the excerpt and discusses the theme of the reading using...
Curated OER
Linguistics 472
Elementary English Language Learners practice following directions by participating in a treasure hunt. Adapt this resource to suit individual learners.
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Beneath the Surface of the Poem
Young scholars analyze poetry. In this cultural perspectives lesson, students read the poem "Soccer Until Dusk" by Mark Brazaitis. Young scholars analyze the poem and consider the cultural perspective it reveals.
Curated OER
What is Good Use of Time?
Students analyze the best uses of time in other cultures. In this time use instructional activity, students read the poem 'Soccer Into Dusk' and 'The Meaning of Time' as analysis of time usage in other culttures. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Dangers of drugs, lying
Students read articles and write an essay about three college students who wanted to see what it felt like to get high. Students discuss legal and ethical questions of illegal drug use, and stealing medication from someone else. Students...
Curated OER
The Case of Suspected Child Abuse
Students reduce their victimization through discussion of what constitutes child abuse. Also, they take responsible action on behalf of themselves or their friends.
Curated OER
The Diary of a Part-Time Indian pp 199-230
In this Diary of a Part-Time Indian comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 23 short answer questions covering pages 199-230 of Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in order to help them better understand the novel.
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
So B. It
Looking for supporting materials for a study of So B. It by Sarah Weeks? This resource includes a summary of the book, questions to answer and discuss, a journal starter, a list of related activities, a list of similar books, and links...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web
Fourth graders focus on fluency by reading the book Charlotte's Web. In this reading strategies lesson, 4th graders partner read, do guided reading, and independent reading to increase fluency. Students use Venn Diagrams, discuss cause...
Curated OER
My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
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A Long Way Home
Young scholars examine the difference between hard news and editorial writing by considering several pieces written about the Elian Gonzalez custody battle. They then craft their own hard news and editorials on the case.
Curated OER
Quotation Marks Exercise
In this quotation marks activity, students must edit sentences for quotation marks and underline words that should be italicized.
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Passage to Freedom Teacher's Guide
Students explore the main elements of the book Passage to Freedom. In this reading response instructional activity, students participate in pre-reading activities that focus on the idea of courage. Students conduct a book walk-through...
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Searching for Meanings Benath the Surface of the Poem
Learners read "Soccer Until Dusk". As a class, they discuss the various settings and actions in the poem and discuss the life in Guatemala and compare it with the United States. To end the lesson, they complete a journal reflection...
Curated OER
What Is Good Use of Time?
Students delve into questions about how best to use one's time-in one culture or another. They explore the kinds of choices students will make about their use of time and consider the statement: "We are shaped by the values of the...
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Jody's Submarine Sandwich
In this science worksheet, students read a word problem about a submarine sandwich. Students answer 2 questions about the problem and complete a chart about the number of bacteria in the sandwich at different times.