This activity will help pairs or groups of teens explore a hands-on approach that lets them become both comic book writers and comic book artists.
Comic Book Show and Tell
Recording Family Stories
Teens can take part in the process of building family histories by recording the stories, or memoirs, of family members.
Personal Playlists: Ten Favorite Songs
Work with a teen to create a wiki with everything people should know about the teen's top ten favorite songs—and your favorite songs as well! Then invite friends to add their favorite songs too.
Speak Up! Writing a Review
This activity gives teens an opportunity to write reviews on the movies, television shows, music, restaurants, and books they love—and hate!
Telling Good from Bad in Movies and Television
In this activity, you can discuss with teens how they can tell the "good" characters from the "bad" ones by watching for clues that the movie makers have left.
Writing a First Resume
This activity will help teens create a professional resume that effectively presents their skills and talents to future employers.
Connecting with Young Adult Authors through Writing
This activity guides teens in reaching out to authors of books they love by composing personal letters or connecting to authors through their websites or blogs.
Reading Signs and Labels
These activities will have children reading signs, logos, brand names, and other words all over their home and community.
Let's Play Bingo!
Work together, create a bingo board that can be played while walking around town, going to the zoo or a museum, or traveling on a vacation.
Let's Go on a Reading Hunt!
In this activity, children go on a hunt for places where they can read and enjoy books: on a family road trip, at the pool, at the doctor's office.
Note Writing at a Message Center
In this activity, children write short everyday notes, to remind, plan, request, or compliment others.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein was published in 1974.
Students are introduced to a Silverstein verse and asked for their impressions. They then draw that they imagine when they read one of his lines and then write a line or two to continue the passage.
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was integrated in 1957.
After viewing some footage from the actual event, students jot down thoughts and feelings of the Little Rock Nine. Students then write a bio-poem that might have been written by one of these students on this historic day.
Today is the International Day of Peace.
Students brainstorm a list of current conflicts and why people fight. Groups discuss and present possible solutions and create posters that promote their particular solution.
Get ready to celebrate Banned Books Week!
Students brainstorm reasons why certain books might have been banned and discuss common reasons why books are challenged.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins today.
Students brainstorm all the various aspects of Latinx culture and compile topics to research. Groups then research topics and present their information to the class.
Patriot Day is celebrated today on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 2001.
Students write about the name "Patriot Day" and how it marks the anniversary of a huge disaster. An alternative assignment could be to ask students to record their reflections about 9/11.
On the Road author Jack Kerouac embarked on his first cross-country road trip in 1947.
Students read a section from On the Road that deals with cross-country travel and reflects Kerouac's unique writing style. Students then attempt to write a narrative using Kerouac's stream-of-consciousness style.
Richard Wright was born in 1908.
Students read an appropriate excerpt from Black Boy, discuss the incident in which Richard gets into trouble, and write found poems.
Library Card Sign-up Month begins today.
A school or public library librarian is invited to visit the classroom to talk to the students about the advantages of having a library card. Students then take a library tour to acquaint them with the general features and resources available.