Students explore the idea of "crossing boundaries" through bilingual, spoken-word poetry, culminating in a poetry slam at school or in the community.
Crossing Boundaries Through Bilingual, Spoken-Word Poetry
Grades
|
Textmasters: Shaking Up Textbook Reading in Science Classrooms
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Engage students in content area reading with the Textmasters strategy, which allows students to collaborate with their peers in different roles that enable better understanding of the content.
Grades
|
Creating a Persuasive Podcast
6 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students learn how to get their voice out on the web when they research issues important to them and compose a persuasive podcast to post online.
Grades
|
BOOKMATCH: Scaffolding Independent Book Selection
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
This lesson will be turning heads and pages as students learn how to choose appropriate books for independent reading exercises and later evaluate their choices.
Grades
|
Creating Character Blogs
6 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students view examples of blogs, learn the basic elements of blog creation, and then create a blog from the perspective of a fictional character.
Grades
|
Learning Clubs: Motivating Middle School Readers and Writers
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students participate in learning clubs, select content area topics, and draw on textsincluding websites, printed material, video, and musicto investigate their topics, and share their learning using similar media.
Grades
|
Thoughtful Threads: Sparking Rich Online Discussions
5 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Today's students love chatting online with friends. This lesson combines that love with literature. Students form literature circles and have meaningful online discussions about a literary work.
Grades
|
Accountable Book Clubs: Focused Discussions
7 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Students form literature circles, read Esperanza Rising or Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan, use a Critical Thinking Map to discuss social issues, and use a class wiki.
Grades
|
Exploring Careers Using the Internet
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Doctors, astrophysicists, and daycare providers are only some of the careers that will be explored in this lesson in which students research careers and publish occupational summaries about them.
Grades
|
Scaffolding Methods for Research Paper Writing
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Unit
In this lesson, students use a scaffold to help them compile information to write a solid research paper.
Grades
|
Four Simple Steps to Small-Group Guided Writing
K - 2
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students will go batty about the three writing strategies they learn in this lesson centered on Nicola Davies' Bat Loves the Night.
Grades
|
Critical Literacy in Action: Multimodal Texts on Global Warming
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students will really warm up to this lesson about global warming as they study multimedia materials and use a variety of comprehension strategies.
Grades
|
Persuading the Principal: Writing Persuasive Letters About School Issues
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students learn that you don't have to raise your voice to raise a point. Writing a persuasive letter to your principal is a great way to get your opinions heard.
Grades
|
Nature Study Outdoor Treasure Hunts (with Spanish language option)
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students take a walk on the wild side when they research an animal and create a scavenger hunt activity for their classmates.
Grades
|
Describe That Face: An Interactive Writing Game
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students write descriptions of characters, incorporate new vocabulary words, practice using simile and metaphor, engage in peer editing, and post their revised descriptions on the walls for a matching game.
Grades
|
Plotting a Plan to Improve Writing: Using Plot Scaffolds
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Students really get into character in this lesson as they act out the parts of a script and analyze character motivations and dialogue.
Grades
|
Tell and Show: Writing With Words and Video
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Writers and film buffs alike will sharpen their skills in this multimedia unit as they work together to author and design a digital video.
Grades
|
I've Got It Covered! Creating Magazine Covers to Summarize Texts
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Start the presses! Catchy titles, eye-popping graphics, and attractive fonts are all on students' agendas in this lesson as they create magazine covers to summarize a topic.
Grades
|
Get the GIST: A Summarizing Strategy for Any Content Area
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Recurring Lesson
GIST is a summarizing technique that can be used in any content area. Students will learn and apply the strategy while doing online research and writing activities on news stories.
Grades
|
Giving Voice to Child Laborers Through Monologues
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Students present monologues in the "voice" of someone involved in child labor in England, respond to questions, and then discuss contemporary child laborers and compare them to the past.