mini-lessons

Learn more about mini-lessons

Practicing elaboration in a problem/solution essay: One theory suggests that students tend to list in an essay because they lack the tools to elaborate. Because they do not have the strategies, they attempt to fill up the empty space by introducing new primary ideas instead of fleshing out the ideas they have already presented. This activity attempts to make students aware of the need to elaborate and to provide students with some workable strategies for elaborating. Using a PowerPoint presentation, the teacher demonstrates the necessity for elaboration in a problem/solution essay. Students then choose a particular point in the PowerPoint presentation to expand through elaboration.; Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts); By Margaret Ryan.

Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens: Students read, discuss, and write about Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens by Spencer Johnson, M.D., a parable about life's changes, and how best to benefit from them. By reading the parable, students will learn ways to react positively to inevitable change, and gain insight into their personal decision-making processes regarding changes in their lives, now and in the future. This lesson plan is modified for Advanced English Language Learners in the 9th and 10th grades. It is written for 45 minute class periods, but can be modified for 90 minute block classes.; Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and English Language Development); By Ann Gerber.

Posing a scenario and "looping" to provide focus in a cause/effect essay: Most of us are familiar with the idea that in narratives a writer chooses a “hot spot” or critical incident to serve as the focus of the work. Teachers of expository writing also must assist students in finding the “hot spot” or focus of their essays. Use this exercise to help student focus on one aspect of the essay.; Format: lesson plan (grade 10 English Language Arts); By Margaret Ryan.

Walking in the woods with Owl Moon: This is an integrated project using the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. Students will use the story to write a personal narrative, understand the elements of a story, and practice answering open-ended questions.; Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts); By Birty Lightner.

Whole language reading: Pumpkin pie baking activity: A whole language literature-based reading lesson that culminates in a cooking extension activity.; Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Mathematics); By Amy Durso.

Short lessons of five to twenty minutes used to introduce or reinforce critical information or learning strategies.