Students write poems based on words and phrases found in an obituatuary. They write autobiographical obituaries that imagine their own lives and future accomplishments.

Students write scenes for stories using their own original characters. However, they write using the literary and plot devices found in the Lemony Snicket book series.

Students discuss holidays dealing with patriotic national holidays or remembrances. After choosing a teacher-provided prompt. they write responses to it. They write their paragraphs on paper shaped like bricks and pin them to a "wall...

Students listen to story The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, discuss why sharing is good, demonstrate understanding of sharing by decorating and sharing cookies, and practice saying "please" and "thank you" as they share icing with other...

Students read or listen to Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, identify elements of fiction, develop writing, thinking, and organizing skills, and create PowerPoint slides based on the story.

Students discuss the difference between analyses and essays. They practice writing an essay for a college admission application. They are graded based on a rubric included with this instructional activity.

Fifth graders design an informative tri-fold fitness pamphlet for a fictitious fitness center that contains a persuasive paragraph encouraging fitness, that is attractive and has the five fitness components.

Students work together with a partner in which they blindfold. With their partner, they must communicate directions to them that allows them to make it across the spook walk. To end the lesson, they discuss the communication skills they...

Students research the events that were important in the Wright brothers' lives. They develop an accurate timeline of those events and discover why the Wright brothers are important in history.

Students write one word in each box on the BINGO card. One student stands and teacher randomly calls out one word from the list to the standing student to spell. If student spells it correctly, the class covers the word on their cards. ...

Students examine the journey out west by Lewis and Clark. Using a cipher from President Jefferson, they solve a code he gave to the explorers before setting out on their exploration. They share his message with the class and state...

Students construct haunted houses with open doors and windows around cropped milk cartons in order to hold their Halloween goodies. They practice the skills of following directions and using art media and tools appropriately.

Students create a Halloween party or event based on a piece of literature they're reading during the season. This allows the students to plan a celebration and discuss a unique title for their themed celebration along with theme-related...

Students listen to or read a variety of stories and then work individually or in groups to complete graphic organizers that will help them focus on elements within different types of stories. They write definitions for a variety of story...

Young scholars read the story of an Iraqi immigrant boy named Osama who faces taunts of terrorist in his U.S. school after the attack of September 11. They discuss the characters and their struggles in the story. Students respond to...

Young scholars recreate magic tricks in an effort to follow directions. They evaluate the clarity of their instructions and teach an apprentice how to perform a trick. They are evaluated using a rubric to note the clarity of their...

Students are introduced to the definition of a fable in that it is a story that has a moral for people to apply in their lives. They then read a fable together so they have a better understanding. Next, students write their own fables.

Learners are introduced to how a character sketch is an outline of a character that includes the character's outward appearance, family members, personality, interests, and beliefs. They then think of a character they would like to use...

Students study techniques used to give an oral book report. They read their book, plan their thoughts, and write their report. Students present their book report to the class.

Students examine the need for rules to keep order at home, in school, in communities, and in the country using trade books and teamwork activities. They work in cooperative groups to define a positive learning community by writing a...

Students input autobiographical information to apply in a Diamante' poem that utilizes the different parts of speech. Students interact with each other sharing their autobiographical information completed on the database created....

Students create a newspaper on local, state and national issues in the muckracking style of progessive era journalism. They research the style by reading articles from the time period on women's sufrage, child labor laws and political...

Young scholars research an endangered species. They examine statistics, characteristics, and information about the species. Students play "webmaster" and design a site that will help to save an endangered species.

Students, working in teams of four, take on the role of marketers hired to promote one state in the U.S.A. Each team researches their state in order to create a brochure highlighting its most intriguing features. Groups give a 25 minute...