Curated OER
Autobiography
Eighth graders identify key components of an autobiography. They plan and draft an outline of a summer school mini-autobiography and employ peer evaluation in revision step of writing process. They explain difference between revision...
Curated OER
All About Me
Middle schoolers complete various biographical and autobiographical writing activities. They write an autobiographical essay, biopoem, biographical essay, and design and decorate a bag presenting character traits.
Curated OER
Christmas Candy
Here is a tasty topic for a lesson: Christmas candy! Third and fourth graders research classic Christmas candies, then create their very own! They write a descriptive paragraph about their candy, then use KidPix to create an illustration...
Developing a Global Perspective for Educators
Imagine Being Me
The design of this two-day activity eloquently exposes learners to the topic of social justice for people with disabilities. The plan is built off the reading of Are You Alone on Purpose? by Nancy Werlin. The activity introduces readers...
Curated OER
All About Me Books
Students examine literature of emergent readers, categorize books into types of literature common for primary readers (wordless, pattern, alphabet, number, rhyme, etc.), and write a book about themselves to give as gifts to their new...
EngageNY
Finishing Poster and Preparing for Gallery Walk
Practice makes progress! Using their drafts and resources from the previous instructional activity, pupils complete scientific posters for an upcoming gallery walk. Next, they practice presenting their posters to assigned partners.
Curated OER
Revive Reviews With Student-Created Study Guides
Students work cooperatively in small groups to practice note-taking and outlining skills which are applied as student create unit Study Guides for their classmates. They demonstrate critical thinking skills as they decide the most...
Curated OER
Editing
Fourth graders edit their previously written essay in this lesson. They discuss the importance of revision, and observe the teacher modeling proper revision techniques. They apply the techniques to their essay and then prepare their...
Curated OER
Developing Student Web Pages for Showcasing Research
Students employ information literacy skills to research topics. They develop topics using a graphic organizer. They draft, revise and edit research projects. They write an expository essay. They create a web page in Microsoft Publisher.
Curated OER
Monster Lesson
Fifth graders write a detailed description of a monster or alien they have created. They e-mail the description to another student, and the e-mail buddy draws the monster based on the descriptive writing.
Curated OER
All About Me
Students create a collage from magazines, and the internet that is reflective of themselves and write a friendly letter via email to a pen pal. They take their letters through the writing process and write their final draft on Microsoft...
Curated OER
My Digital Story
Students write and direct digital stories to be presented to their classmates. In this digital stories lesson plan, students can use camcorders, microphones, headphones, storyboards, and more. Students edit their story and present it to...
Curated OER
Children's Book
A great way to publish students' stories is by having them create a picture book using Pages. This simple lesson has them take a short story they have written and create a book with a title page and dedication. After they have printed...
Curated OER
Adopt a Highway
Third graders write a letter to a community company asking for a donation to their adopt a highway project. In the letter, they include the reasons they want to adopt the highway and thank they store for their time. They word process the...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Take Me to the Hall of Fame
Learners write persuasive letters supporting a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Once they have written the letter, they respond to it from the coach's point of view. In addition, students compose various conclusions to their letters.
Curated OER
Contemporary Fairy Tales
Eighth graders listen Steven Kellog's, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Raymond Briggs, Jim and the Beanstalk. They use a Venn diagram to compare the two elements of the two stories. They write and publish an original contemporary fairy tale...
Curated OER
The Research Paper - Searching for a Subject
Students research a website to look for potential topics for a research paper. They develop a narrowed prioritized subject list on an index card (3X5) using word processing program.
Curated OER
A Soldier's Valentine
Students create Valentine's for soldiers in Iraq. They review how to write a friendly paragraph and discuss the military and duties of soldiers in Iraq. They create postcards and write reasons why they are rpoud of the military and how...
Curated OER
The Scoop Through Desktop Publication
Drafting, revising, and editing is all apart of the publishing process. Using a series of documents as inspiration, young journalists compose a class Newspaper. They work independently and in groups to publish their own articles.
Workforce Solutions
Thank You Letters
An important step in the job search process is sending a thank you note to any professional that has been of help. First, pupils discuss the etiquette of thank you notes, then draft a practice letter.
Curated OER
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
Use photographs to trigger memories. Writers use a personal photograph as a starting point for an autobiographical writing exercise. They complete brainstorming activities that have them study their photograph before actually putting pen...
Denver Art Museum
Descriptive Haiku
Even though this is technically an art lesson, haiku poetry is actually the main focus! Learners view photographs of Japanese tea caddies. They list five descriptive words for the caddies, then write haiku poems using the caddies as...
Curated OER
Como Se Hace...?
Learners work in groups to give step-by-step instructions to the rest of the class about an activity of interest. They write presentation proposals, research the activity and then draft and edit a presentation. Students present their...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution
Sit back, relax, and transport to 1787! This lesson on the Constitution begins with guided imagery of the Constitutional Convention. The class reads A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution in an interactive read-aloud...