Blending Fiction and Nonfiction to Improve Comprehension and Writing Skills

Lesson Plans

Student Interactives

Calendar Activities

 

LESSON PLANS

Grades   3 – 5  |  Lesson Plan  |  Standard Lesson

Critical Perspectives: Reading and Writing About Slavery

Students critically explore the moral issue of slavery through reading fiction and nonfiction children's literature about the Underground Railroad, and they extend their understanding through creative writing projects.

 

Grades   6 – 12  |  Lesson Plan  |  Standard Lesson

Book Report Alternative: Getting Acquainted with Farcebook

In this alternative to the traditional book report, students report on their novel choices using Facebook-like pages.

 

back to top

 

STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Stapleless Book

The Stapleless Book can be used for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets . . . the possibilities are endless!

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Comic Creator

The Comic Creator invites students to compose their own comic strips for a variety of contexts (prewriting, pre- and postreading activities, response to literature, and so on).

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Letter Generator

The Letter Generator is a useful tool for students to learn the parts of a business or friendly letter and then compose and print letters for both styles of correspondence.

 

back to top

 

CALENDAR ACTIVITIES

Grades   3 – 12  |  Calendar Activity  |  January 24

Gold was discovered in California in 1848.

Students read letters from the Gold Rush and follow up by writing an imaginary letter to a family member about their experience using the Letter Generator.

 

Grades   7 – 12  |  Calendar Activity  |  April 5

Pocahontas married John Rolfe on this date in 1614.

Students read "The Chieftan's Daughter" and are shown the fresco that tells the legend of Pocahontas. A class discussion follows regarding fact and fiction and students research Pocahontas.

 

back to top