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Book Search
Fourth graders are introduced to how to use the Dewey Decimal System in libraries. After taking a pre-test, they complete a worksheet in which they determine the location of different books on the internet and on the shelf. To end the...
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Ted Hughes "Pike"
Students analyze how a poet uses language to capture creatures and draft a poem on a 'sinister' animal. In this poetry analysis lesson, students read Ted Hughes' poem 'Pike' and analyze pictures of pike fish. Students use their research...
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A Voyage of Endurance
Students apply the three different types of journal writing by composing one of each type on the subject of Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. They also
write a dialectical journal summarizing the facts of the expedition and...
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Primate Primer
Young scholars examine the different branches of the primate family tree. They create fact cards about various species of non-human primates and then write fictional skits about interactions among the different primates.
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And You Were (Almost) There
Students explore the genre of biography in both its traditional and nontraditional forms. They examine Edmund Morris's unorthodox biography of Ronald Reagan. They conduct research on an historic American and write their own biographies.
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Human Migration
Students explore human migration, refugees and human rights. They read articles about immigration, create a migration journal, and participate in a mock human rights commission meeting. After collecting information about immigration,...
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Life Along the Trail
Learners explore the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. They read to explain a new topic and write to inform readers of the historic events they explored.
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I, Robot: Chapter One
Students discuss literature about technology in the 20th century. In this book study lesson, students read I, Robot by Isaac Asimov and compare the fiction to technology in the 20th century.
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Forensic Detectives: Mysteries and Solutions
Students examine forensic science. In this video based instructional activity, students examine the tools and techniques of forensic science. They write a report about a fictional crime scene from the Discovery video.
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Forging Freedom
Students read the story Forging Freedom by Hudson Talbott about the holocaust. In this holocaust lesson plan, students also answer discussion questions.
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Rain Forest Reporters
Students work as magazine reporters to produce a print or multimedia magazine about rain forests.
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Where I Am From
Students study selected poetry to gain an understanding of influences on values and personal identity. They explore language terms such as personification, imagery metaphors and allusion. After reading a poem and discussing it,...
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Independent - To Be or Not Top Be - Day 2, Lesson C: Freedom of Speech
Fifth graders explore the following questions: What is it? What is it like? What is an example?
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Do Fish Clean the Ocean?
Students analyze a reading selection. In this ocean lesson, students read a story about the ocean, ocean animals and coral reefs. Students have the option to complete internet research on coral reefs. Students write in their journals...
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)
Students develop their own social studies textbook using a blank theme book as they complete activities and learning experiences throughout the year. The activities are in art, music, simulations, read alouds, shared writing and a class...
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Go For The Gold!
Third graders read fiction and nonfiction works for comprehension. Using the internet, 3rd graders participate in a WebQuest. They compare and contrast the Olympics in ancient Greece to the modern day Olympics. Afterwards, students...
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Keep It Short!
Students examine the process of summarizing text. They participate in a class discussion, and read an assigned passage from their textbook, highlighting the main points of the text. Students then write a short summary of their...
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The Civil War Through a Child's Eye
Learners use primary and secondary sources to observe a child's view of the Civil war. In this Civil War lesson, students understand that different people had different perspectives on the war. Learners recognize the difference between...
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Pigs Don't Wear Pants
Students engage in the writing process and differentiate between what is real versus fantasy. They identify the rhyming words and follow the steps of writing to complete the page for the class book. The prompt is checked looking for...
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Clustering
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of clustering. In groups, they use their new science vocabulary words to put into a web or cluster. To end the lesson, they read a book related to electricity and write the definitions of any...
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China: Culture and Young Adult literature
Eighth graders are introduced to Chinese language and culture to make Asian reading selections in literature circles more meaningful. They write about Chinese characters, work on oral speaking, and read Asian books and then have...
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Insects
Students study the characteristics and basic needs of insects. They compare and describe similarities among insects. They examine the body structure, covering, and movement of insects and also, examine insect life cycles in this unit of...
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Holocaust Unit
Students read a book about World War II and the Holocaust while in small literature circles. They write journal entries and news articles based on the reading.
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A Seed for All Needs
Students identify uses for plants. In this agricultural lesson, students read the book Spring Gardening and distinguish between food plants and flowers. Students plant flower in cups as a follow-up activity.