Cornell University
Thinking with the Eyes
Objects are larger (or smaller) than they appear! Scholars use a laboratory investigation to explore the difference between resolution and magnification. The activity allows them to calculate the size of the field of view of their light...
Overcoming Obstacles
Resolving Conflict
Win-lose, lose-lose, or win-win? The final instructional activity in the "Resolving Conflict Module" brings together all that participants have learned in the module. They first list and prioritize the steps in conflict resolution, then...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Put Yourself in Check
The final lesson in a four-part unit on conflict resolution offers middle schoolers strategies for how to keep themselves in check when involved in conflicts. A role-play activity and a reflective journal stress the importance of...
University of North Carolina
Literature (Fiction)
An informative installment of the Writing for Specific Fields series helps readers learn how to interpret and write about fiction. The website details nine easy steps for writing a literary analysis—a useful method for all readers!
US National Archives
We the People Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
Even the most inspiring documents in American history had to go through a few drafts before they were ready for publication. Reinforce the importance of the writing process, as well as the collaborative nature of democracy, with an...
Curated OER
Nonviolent Conflict Resolutions with Cesar Chavez
Third graders investigate nonviolent conflict resolution strategies. In this interpersonal communication lesson, 3rd graders explore conflict resolution. Students construct a newspaper/magazine article detailing nonviolent conflict...
Curated OER
Conflict Resolution
Second graders discuss conflict resolution. In this conflict resolution lesson, 2nd graders look at conflict scenarios and act them out in front of the class showing how they would handle the situation. They write on a piece of paper 3...
Curated OER
Resolutions
For this New Year writing worksheet, students read the prompt that pertains to what they want to accomplish during the new year. Students write their resolutions.
Curated OER
New Year's Resolution Flags
Students make New Year's Resolutions. In this resolution lesson, students listen to the story Peace Begins with You by Katherine Sholes. They discuss different ways they can help make their world more peaceful and create a resolution flag.
Curated OER
Conflict Resolution
Students examine ways to resolve conflicts. In this conflict resolution lesson, students define conflict resolution and write down situations where leaders deal with conflicts. Students work in groups to create a PowerPoint on ways to...
Curated OER
Interpersonal Nonviolence: Using MLK to Teach Conflict Resolution
Students develop conflict mediation and resolution skills by applying the nonviolence philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King. In this conflict resolution instructional activity, students watch a video about Dr. King and review quotes from...
Curated OER
Language, Communication, and Successful Conflict Resolution
Middle schoolers consider how communication skills may diffuse conflict. In this conflict resolution lesson, students play a word game and discuss how vocabulary may contribute to creating conflict of diffusing it.
Curated OER
Story Writing Plan
In this story writing guidelines worksheet, students examine the 4 sets of considerations for writing stories. Students use the guidelines to write their own stories.
Curated OER
Story Writing
Students work in groups to create a story that will be presented to the class. In this story writing lesson, students complete a project planning sheet, work together to create a story that includes a hero and at least two other...
Curated OER
Five Elements of a Story
Here’s a graphic organizer that permits learners to chart the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution of a story. The PDF file can be customized to work with any narrataive.
Curated OER
Around the Room Short Story
Collective story writing is a great way to reinforce the concept of story elements and collaborative learning. Young writers discuss story elements such as, setting, character, action, climax, conclusion, foreshadowing, dialogue, and...
Curated OER
"Re-Solutioning": Practice Brings Out Our Best
Seventh graders write scripts for scenarios to be "re-solutioned". One re-solution scenario will be role played for whole class. They also identify what personal responsibility means and who is responsible in taking personal...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Plot Summary
Eighth graders implement plot summary organizers to identify essential elements such as conflict and resolution in literature. In pairs, they retell fairy tales to each other and complete plot summaries about them. As students read new...
Curated OER
My Conflict Shield
Eighth graders discuss conflict. Working in pairs, they create lists of skills they have used in conflicts, skills they have seen used successfully but not used themselves, and skills they wish to develop. From their lists they identify...
Curated OER
The World Around Me
Combining visual and language arts, here is a resource that prompts middle schoolers to write stories based on pictures of their surroundings. They use digital cameras to take pictures of favorite areas in the school. Next, they choose...
Curated OER
Maniac Magee: Life Without Problems
Young readers discuss how they would deal with problems faced by the main character in Maniac Magee. They write down their own problems and exchange them with others to analyze and provide possible solutions. They establish a "Dear Abby"...
Curated OER
Stick to Our Resolutions
Pupils design a discussion tool to facilitate class brainstorming of solutions to dilemmas and difficult situations. They write situations that they imagine or may have faced that could be resolved in a variety of ways. Students orally...
Curated OER
Original Children's Books
Bring the fun and creativity of children's stories to your language arts class. Middle schoolers write, revise, and publish an original student book which incorporates the elements of a short story. They put their story in the form of a...
Curated OER
Tyrone, the Horrible
Read a Hans Wilhelm story and complete creative writing activities. Start by reading Tyrone, the Horrible and discuss the behavior in the book. Then split your class into groups to create a "bully" situation and discuss possible...