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Venn Diagram for Compare/Contrast
Use this lesson to focus on a compare and contrast writing structure in your middle school language arts class. Here, young writers compare and contrast two texts using graphic organizers. They use a double bubble format for their...
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Biography Newsletters
Have your pupils just finished reading biographies? Extend their study by having them craft a biography newsletter about the subject of their biography. Using a word processor, they create, revise and edit their report, and add...
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Tense Consistency Exercises
In this language arts instructional activity, students study subject/verb agreement in sentences by reading and looking for errors in 12 sentences. Students then insert the correct verb tense indicated in 10 sentences. Students also read...
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What's the Case? - The Three Cases of a Personal Pronoun
In this grammar worksheet, students learn about personal pronouns (subject, object and possessive) in sentence writing. They then answer the 14 questions on the worksheet. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
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Teacher of the Year
Now is the time to identify the great teachers in your school! Discuss the characteristics of persuasive writing and analyze an example. Then, each pupil chooses a teacher who they feel should be named teacher of the year. They plan and...
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Collective Nouns and Verb Agreement Practice
Break down subject and verb agreement with this exercise. This activity only deals with present tense verbs and collective nouns. Pupils learn how to make the verb of a sentence agree with the collective noun by reading sentences and,...
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Sentence Tanglers
Correctly writing sentences can be made easier when learners are given a list of common pitfalls. This presentation about subject/verb agreement, word usage, and irregular verbs could help students cement their grammar skills. There are...
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Outlining Main Ideas and Details
Begin at the end. Present your class with an expository essay and ask them to create an outline of the article, paying particular attention to the main ideas and the details supporting these ideas. After a discussion of what they have...
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Software Lesson Plan
While this plan uses Middle School Advantage software by Encore, you could still use the attached worksheet if you don't have access to the program. Encourage Spanish learners to work with different adjectives and write descriptive...
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Peer Editing Checklist
A handout to guide peer editors, this checklist delineates common problems with paragraph structure and specific proofreading items to check. It also provides encouragement about the collaborative part of the writing process. Formats...
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How to Refine, Narrow, or Broaden a Topic Worksheet
Guide your writers in the pre-writing stage of a research project. Print this sheet to help each writer select an appropriate research topic. They practice narrowing and broadening two different options provided. A natural follow-up...
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Choose Your Words Wisely
Improve word choice! Writers use dictionaries and thesauruses to aid them in choosing exciting words to incorporate in their writing. They rewrite sentences and practice identifying words that can be replaced using a better word....
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Edgar Allen Poe And The Art Of Composition
High schoolers evaluate several works by Edgar Allen Poe based on the criteria in his essay, "The Philosophy of Composotion" Their analysis is documented using a graphic organizer. Learners begin the pre-writing process for their own...
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Using Citations in a Research Paper
As a prequel to a research assignment, class members explore writing citations in the modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA) formats. In pairs, or individually, researchers use books and magazines...
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Contemporary Civic-life Issue Research Based Essay
Seventh graders write a five paragraph persuasive essay on a contemporary civic-life issue.
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Publishing Stories: Beginning, Middle, End
First and second graders explore the importance of having a beginning, middle, and end when writing stories. In this story writing lesson, pupils write short stories using the story diamond as a guide. They invite their parents to an...
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Tornado Brainstorming
While the focus of this instructional activity is on writing about tornadoes, any topic could be substituted. The instructional activity provides a well-thought out overview of the writing process. Learners come up with a thesis...
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Narrowing a Topic & The Importance of Audience
Help your young writers through the sometimes difficult process of beginning to write. Direct them through how to choose a topic and write to a specific audience. Great refining statements guide them to writing focused, clear essays.
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Taste Test - Combining Sentences
Students combine sentences to create compound sentences. They write about creating their own soda, then make their own soda, comparing and contrasting it with a national brand. They write a paragraph containing compound sentences.
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Telecommunications and the Whole Language Program
Young writers use technology and other media to research information on a chosen topic. They explore countries where keypals and e-mail friends are located. Using their writing skills, they correspond with their e-mail friend and...
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Sending E-mail
Middle schoolers learn about writing and sending e-mail. They discuss the differences between the ways messages may travel. Then, they learn and compare the writing process between e-mail and regular mail.
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The Shape of Things
Fourth graders develop their writing skills. For this paragraph structure lesson, 4th graders research natural disasters, compile their findings, create mobiles and write stories based on the mobiles.
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Interjections
Teach your class that they can use interjections to make their writing more interesting. Individuals read a selection of sentences from their book using great expression and then explain to the teacher how interjections can make their...
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Career Education: Office Workers
Frist and second graders explore career options. First they will watch career videos and then prepare to interview school personnel regarding their job responsibilities. They will then send thank you cards to the interviewed subjects...