Students analyze characterization by creating their own superheroes or super-villains,
complete with related gadgets and settings.
Fantastic Characters: Analyzing and Creating Superheroes and Villains
Grades
|
Language and Power in The Handmaid's Tale and the World
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students work in small groups to examine Margaret Atwood's use of and observations about language in The Handmaid's Tale. Through this activity, students discover and articulate overarching thematic trends in the book and then can extend their observations about official or political language to examples from their own world.
Grades
|
"America the Beautiful": Using Music and Art to Develop Vocabulary
K - 2
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Students engage in a rich study of vocabulary words from the song "America the Beautiful," using music and art.
Grades
|
Moving Toward Acceptance Through Picture Books and Two-Voice Texts
3 - 5
Lesson Plan
| Unit
Students read and discuss literature about intolerance and diversity. They work with a partner to write two-voice poems that illustrate situations of intolerance at their school and suggest a step toward acceptance.
Grades
|
Entering History: Nikki Giovanni and Martin Luther King, Jr.
6 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Nikki Giovanni's poem "The Funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr." is paired with Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, taking students on a quest through time to the Civil Rights movement.
Grades
|
The Comic Book Show and Tell
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students craft comic scripts using clear, descriptive, and detailed writing that shows (illustrates) and tells (directs). After peers create an artistic interpretation of the script, students revise their original scripts.
Grades
|
Avoiding Sexist Language by Using Gender-Fair Pronouns
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students engage in a brief writing assignment that concretely illustrates how language and gender stereotyping interact causally.
Grades
|
Writing Acrostic Poems with Thematically Related Texts in the Content Areas
2 - 5
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students read thematically related texts, scaffolded from simple to complex, to help them gather necessary concept vocabulary and background knowledge in a content area. They then write acrostic poems to organize and present their learning in a creative way.
Grades
|
Read Across America Day: Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers
K - 12
Calendar Activity
| Literacy-Related Event
Bring the celebration of reading and literacy into your classroom, library, school, and home all year long.
Grades
|
RAFT Writing Template
5 - 12
Printout
| Writing Starter
Students can utilize this printout to organize their writing as they learn to use the RAFT strategy. This printout enables students to clearly define their role, audience, format, and topic for writing.
Grades
|
Seed Discussion Organizer
5 - 12
Printout
| Graphic Organizer
Students can utilize this printout to organize their thoughts as a new concept or content is introduced through a Seed Discussion. This printout readies students to acquire new knowledge by organizing what they know and what they're prepared to learn.
Grades
|
Introducing New Content with Seed Discussions
Grades
5 - 12
Strategy Guide
In this strategy guide, you'll learn how to elicit ideas and conversation about new concepts or content by effectively holding a Seed Discussion in your classroom.
Grades
|
Brainstorming and Reviewing Using the Carousel Strategy
Grades
5 - 12
Strategy Guide
This strategy guide introduces Carousel Brainstorming, also known as Rotating Review, and offers suggestions to implement this technique in your classroom for brainstorming about new topics or reviewing learned information.
Grades
|
Preparing Students for Success with Reading in the Content Areas
Grades
6 - 12
Strategy Guide
In this strategy guide, you'll learn how to determine the level and type of support you need to provide students based on careful preparation as a content area expert.
Grades
|
Developing Academic Vocabulary
Grades
K - 12
Strategy Guide Series
In this Strategy Guide Series, you'll find creative and compatible ways to build, maintain, and extend students' vocabulary across academic disciplines.
Grades
|
Using Word Walls to Develop and Maintain Academic Vocabulary
Grades
K - 12
Strategy Guide
In this guide, you will learn how to use Word Walls to support vocabulary development and retention.
Grades
|
Using Generative Sentences to Apply Academic Vocabulary
Grades
4 - 12
Strategy Guide
In this guide, you will learn how to use generative sentences to give students opportunities to apply their knowledge of new words in writing.
Grades
|
Earth Verse: Using Science in Poetry
3 - 5
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students shape up their reading, writing, and listening skills in this lesson by creating original diamante, acrostic, and shape poems about science.
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
|
Promoting Cultural Values Through Alphabet Books
3 - 5
Lesson Plan
| Minilesson
C is for Culture in this lesson in which students research a culture different from their own and compile an alphabet book that showcases cultural symbols for each letter of the alphabet.