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Inside the Mind of the Unreliable Narrator
Create interdisciplinary connections and promote high-level inferences by studying unreliable narrators.
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Vocabulary Building
A fabulous language arts lesson has readers focus on the vocabulary in the key words, expand and build new vocabulary, and practice three grammar concepts. They recognize key words as they relate to communicating at work. Pupils build...
Facing History and Ourselves
Preparing Students for Difficult Converstaitons
Many of the issues facing 21st Century learners are challenging and even discussing these issues can be a challenge. So how do teachers prepare learners for these difficult conversations? How do instructors create a safe classroom where...
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The Blues, B.B. King, Muddy Waters
B.B. King and Muddy Waters are two of the most famous blues performers of all time. In this music lesson, middle schoolers study the early careers and lasting musical contributions of both artists, each of whom carried the blues on to...
Illinois Music Education Conference
Taking the “General” Out of Middle School General Music!
Middle schoolers will sing the praises of this music program. The resource, designed as an overview for music instructors, is loaded with ideas, activities, and links. Not a sour note in the packet.
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Habitat Basics
First graders get out and explore two different habitats to examine how each one meets the needs of the plants and animals that dwell there. They discuss what they've learned about animal habitats as they explore the outdoor environment....
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Express Yourself Lesson Seed 7: Pronouns
Take a break from literature study to address some grammatical concerns. Using a text you've already read in your class, show how to analyze pronoun use. After watching the master, pairs analyze a short excerpt on their own, identifying...
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A Lesson in Biodiversity: Making Comparisons Between Defensive Mechanisms Utilized by Marine Organisms
If your upper elementary or middle school marine biology learners are going to visit an aquarium, then here is a field trip activity guide for you. It is written specifically for The Maritime Aquarium, but the idea can be adapted to any...
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Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers Lesson Plan
Students investigate fractions while adding and subtracting mixed numbers. They discuss how to add and subtract mixed numbers and they practice working with mixed numbers. They complete a worksheet while working with mixed numbers.
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Native American Indian Musical Instruments
Young scholars listen and react to recordings of Native American Instruments with each student completing a corresponding Reaction Worksheet after listening to the recordings.
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Super Sellers
Practice listening skills with the novel Max Malone Makes a Million written by Charlotte Herman. Read a chapter a day and answer daily questions such as predicting how Max makes his money.
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Music and Emotions
First graders examine how certain types of music can evoke emotions and mental images. They fold a piece of paper into four equal sections, and create a picture of what they are visualizing in each section while listening to four...
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Tale of the Tooth Fairy
Students share social and cultural traditions and values. They develop listening strategies to explain what is heard.
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Who's Who at Our School?
Students recognize and use language appropriately for varied contexts and purposes. Students integrate listening, speaking, viewing, reading, and writing for multiple purposes. Students develop and use a variety of strategies to plan,...
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The Seasons of the Year
Students learn about the four seasons. They collaborate in pairs, publish a book, and share with the class. They also brainstorm and collaborate with each other providing literacy skills through listening, speaking and writing activities.
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Discovering Wind
Students discuss what they think wind is before listening to Pat Hutchins, The Wind Blew. Next, the go on a wind walk outside to look for signs of wind using their senses. As they walk, they teacher scribes their observations. The next...
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Teaching Sequence of Activities
Students develop their skills at writing poetry by listening to poetry and using a model to emulate and write a poem. In this poetry writing lesson, students listen to Louis MacNeice's poem 'Prayer Before Birth' and use it to model their...
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The Gingerbread Person
Students think about what it means to be intelligent and fast (able to run)/athletic. After listening to the story, 'The Gingerbread Boy,' students write their own stories about a gingerbread girl and a female fox.
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Reading Comprehension Practice: Nonfiction Text
Students practice their reading comprehension. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read or listen to a nonfiction article about meditation. This lesson includes discussion questions and comprehension questions.
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Que te gusta comer? What Do You Like to Eat?
Eighth graders examine their preferences concerning foods, beverages and eating habits during different meals. A variety of exercises in listening, speaking, reading and writing will be provided to ensure that students discuss their...
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Drawing Lesson Improves Communication Skills
Young scholars work in pairs to improve their communication skills through a drawing activity. They draw a figure on their papers and describe to each other what was drawn.
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Hop! Jump! Turn!
Students demonstrate action words, express meaning through mime, and demonstrate memory and aural comprehension skills. They view action words through pictures, and act them out.
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Bookmark Strategy: Building Comprehension and Keeping Track of Stories
Students explore the concept of comprehension. In this comprehension lesson, students use a bookmark to mark a place in a story they want to "stop and think" about what they are reading. Students practice this skill with a partner...
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Elements of Fiction
Students identify key story elements in a fiction text. In this literacy lesson, students are introduced to the various elements of fiction such as the setting, plot, and theme. Students read a short story of their choice and identify...