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How To: Friendly Letter Writing
Second graders investigate the proper mechanics of a letter by writing to fictional characters. In this friendly letter lesson, 2nd graders read the book Stars in the Darkness, analyzing the story and characters with classmates. Students...
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Indentured Servants
Students read the article, "Misery." and take notes about reasons immigrants came to America, their physical treatment on the journey, living conditions when they arrived in America, and benefits at the conclusion of servitude. Students...
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Original Rhythm Compositions for Poetry
Students create and perform original musical compositions using poetry as a basis for the creative process. This cross-curricular two-day lesson can be done in two 45 minute class periods. Students evaluate performances as part of...
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Writing Applications: Different Types of Writing and Their Characteristics
Twelfth graders rewrite a story in a different format to understand the effects of the author's style. In this writing style instructional activity, 12th graders read Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and...
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Talk To Me About It
Students present an analysis of a short story. Working in small groups, students prepare a presentation of up to 30 minutes analyzing the major elements in a story they have read. Completed presentations are given to the class and...
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Newton's Laws and Seat Belts
Students study Newton's Laws of Motion. They review an assessment task and rubric and discuss Newton's Laws of Motion. They discuss how to test the relationships of mass and acceleration in personal situations. They write a one-page...
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Narrative Prompt
Second graders practice their writing skills on a daily basis. Using a prompt, they write about a time they surprised themselves or someone else. They use a graphic organizer to gather their thoughts before writing the first draft. ...
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Goal Setting -- Mission Statements
Students read examples of mission statements related to goal setting. Individually, they research accomplishments of their hero and how they overcame fear. To end the lesson, they write their own mission statement on how they plan to...
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The Immigration Debate: A Lesson from Viva La Causa
Students study the social justice issues of the immigration debate. In this immigration instructional activity, students examine the role of undocumented Latino workers as they explore how trade policies and competition influence...
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Letter Writing from a Different Perspective
Third graders write a letter from one character to another in a story they are reading. In this writing lesson plan, 3rd graders demonstrate their understanding of perspective.
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Story Pyramid And Comparison
Students investigate the details of a chosen story of literature. They use a pyramid graphic organizer to record information. The information is used to write a summary of the story. Students use a rubric while writing the summary to...
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Our Book Club
Students review a book considered to be their favorite for inclusion in a recommended books list. As a part of a book club, each student selected book will be included in a list of recommended books for a young adult's personal reading....
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Conventions Self-Check Sheet
Fifth graders study conventions in writing. In this grammar instructional activity, 5th graders listen to samples with appropriate conventions and samples without appropriate grammar and determine which are appropriate. Students...
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Building Two Literature Pyramids
Pupils create literature pyramids. They read selections of various societies, eras, and ideas. They complete two pyramid sheets for the same literary element including either plot, character, setting, or theme. They color-code their...
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Writing a Narrative
Sixth graders read the short story "Eleven". They write a narrative composition focusing on the use of voice. Students use a computer to create a pre-writing graphic organizer and type their final draft.
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Social Studies: Population Distribution
Students create a population distribution map of Goodland Island indicating where people live by marking the locations with dots. After reading a written description of the island, they write short paragraphs explaining and justifying...
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Writing Own Tale
Third graders read The First Strawberries and complete a character chart. In this writing a tale lesson, 3rd graders discuss viewpoints and identify character traits. Students complete character charts and write their own tale about how...
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Readers Theater
Students perform a reader's theater based on the Civil War. In this dramatic arts history instructional activity, students review the purpose of reader's theater and are given a script to read. The script can be based on an important...
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Seussville Meets the 4 Blocks
First graders read and examine Dr. Seuss books, and create and write their own stories.
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Create a Chart
Students create charts for story elements. They read two selections that share a common theme and discuss the story elements. They create a chart for the characters, plot, and setting and complete it while reading the selections.
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Where Is Your Story Set?
Students explore the concept of setting in literature by identifying their own current setting, and imagining what their ideal setting would be. They read a piece of literature, identify the setting and record the information on a chart.
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I Heard the Owl Call My Name
Tenth graders read I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven. They share interpretations and conclusions in either oral or written form. They deliver a speech that conveys information using clear and concise language.
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The Adventures of Visualization
Fourth graders pretend they are going on a trip to Mars as they close their eyes and visualize the journey. They discuss what they saw on the journey to determine how one student may visualize something different than another. Next, they...
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Writing Headlines
Students define the purpose of headlines and practice writing their own. In this news writing lesson, students define the elements of headlines and view examples. Students read a news story in groups and create a headline for it....