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Elaborate By Showing, Not Telling
In this writing worksheet, students learn to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind with descriptive words. Students read 10 pairs of example sentences-- one telling an event and the other showing it. Students then write 4 "show not...
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Student Resource Sheet-- Using Verbs in Writing
In this language arts worksheet, young scholars explore the use of strong specific verbs in their writing. Students first read the information and look at the examples given. Young scholars then brainstorm strong verbs to replace common...
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Reporting On War From Korea To The Persian Gulf
Students explore the reporting practices from three wars in more depth, and assess how reporting techniques were similar, how they differed and how each of them may have contributed to the reporting practices from the war in Iraq. In a...
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Expository --Writing
In this writing worksheet, students investigate the writing process, especially in expository articles. Students examine a piece written for a children's magazine about dinosaurs. Students read about the steps taken to generate it:...
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Verbs To Explain What People Or Things Are Doing
In this verbs worksheet, students analyze a detailed picture of 15 children who are playing in a tree. Students write a sentence with a vivid verb to describe what each child in the picture is doing.
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Personify This
Eighth graders study personification in published works of poetry, then create their own through the use of diamante or cinquain poetry. They read and discuss poetry by Shel Silverstein, William Jay Smith, and Elinor Wylie.
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A Sense of Place
Learners read "Fish Tale: Falling For a Live One" from The New York Times and discuss the methods and techniques the writer uses to create a strong mental image. Students pick a place in their community they wish to write about and...
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Poetry Elements
Need a quick review of some of the elements of poetry? Eleven key terms are defined and illustrated.
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Pennies of My Life Part II
Youngsters write and construct their own autobiographies based on The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis. They engage in pre-writing steps, narrative writing, and peer editing. This is the second part of a two-part project lesson.
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Identifying and Using Parallelism and Balance in Literature
Analyze the use of balanced sentences and parallelism in a narrative. Included in this resource is a narrative about serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan titled, "The Train Ride Home". Middle and high schoolers review...
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A Study Guide for The Phantom of the Opera
Immerse yourself in the beautiful, twisted world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. A detailed lesson plan provides important details about the writing, stagecraft, music, and literary elements of the famous musical, as...
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Creating a Life Map
Learners create their own life map in which they introduce themselves to each other by sharing what they are most proud of. They use a life map to expressive themselves creatively.
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The Vietnam War 1954-1975
Discuss the full travesty of the Vietnam War. Whether it's for history class, Memorial Day, or Veterans Day, this slide show is sure to make an impact on learners in the upper grades. Vivid images, concise language, and the complete...
International Reading Association
Literacy Survival Tips for New Teachers!
Whether new to teaching or a seasoned pro, this 12-page phonics and phonemic awareness guide is a must for your curriculum library. Everything from a summary of research on the topic to exercises and activities is included.
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Discover Picture-Perfect Projects
Use classic, well-loved picture books as means of infusing visual and language arts in the elementary classroom.
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A Simile and Metaphor Lesson
Pupils use their knowledge of similes and metaphors to analyze poetry. For this poetry and language lesson, students read examples of similes and metaphors and write their own examples that describe their city, television, or an era in...
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Poems in Sections: The Mosaic Format
Students explore poetry. They examine metaphors. Students discuss and write examples of "figurative" and "literal" language. They read mosaic poetry. Students write a poem in mosaic format.
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Show! Don't Tell!
Students write a descriptive paragraph. For this writing lesson, students define elaboration and discuss the characteristics of an elaborate paragraph. Students write a paragraph that contains vivid adjectives, strong verbs and exact nouns.
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Powerful Poetry Presenting the Writer's Soul
Students research Langston Hughes poetry for his use of figurative language. For this poetry analysis lesson, students research the life and poetry of Langston Hughes and his use of vivid words. Students complete 23 different activities...
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Mouthwatering Adjectives!
Third graders write descriptions of food items in order to create a restaurant menu. They use adjectives to describe mouth-watering and vivid food and compare it to a boring adjective-lacking menu. They design and share their menus with...
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Using Effective, Amusing Writing As a Model
Learners use the author's writing as a model to achieve vivid description and engaging humor in compositions of their own. They examine the ways a writer can capture and hold a reader's attention and write a short personal narrative...
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Revising With Precision
In this revisions activity, learners fill in blanks in sentences, 15 total, with "vivid and precise" word. Students are instructed that they may use a thesaurus.
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Get Set!
Learners create vivid descriptions for various sets used in the new movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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A Christmas Memory
Students think about and remember a special Christmas they had with their family when they were younger. They write an essay using vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses.