English Language Arts — Grade 1

Pets

Students will categorize their family pets and indicate a pet they would like to have. Students will then write sentences about their pets.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts)

By Kathy Beck.

Around the world, a multicultural unit

The students will listen to stories from different cultures. They will participate in directed discussion, followed by a related art activity.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts, Guidance, and Social Studies)

By Judy Cliver.

Resources on the web

Today I Feel . . .

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students read and discuss books that talk about feelings. They tell a story about a time when they had a strong feeling and then something happened to change their mood. Students experiment with adding facial expressions, gestures,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Martin Luther King, Jr. and me: Identifying with a hero

This lesson from ReadWriteThink explores ways to help students make connections to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that not only provide a glimpse into Dr. King's life, but empower students to help... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Literature circles with primary students using self-selected reading

This lesson from ReadWriteThink is a structured guideline for helping students learn to think about the books they read, and to ask questions about books shared by other students. It is especially appropriate for mixed-age and upper primary classes, or... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Let's Talk About Stories: Shared Discussions with "Amazing Grace"

This lesson from ReadWriteThink develops students' reading comprehension and understanding through a variety of interpretive activities. Students become more aware of their personal reactions as they read, develop sensitivity to language, and come to value... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

A journal for Corduroy: Responding to literature

This lesson from ReadWriteThink leads first-grade students to reflect on and respond to literature through journal writing. Students read books in the Corduroy series and interact with a stuffed bear to personalize their experiences. They also record their... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

It's okay to be different: Teaching diversity with Todd Parr

After a shared reading of Todd Parr's It's Okay to Be Different, students work in small groups to discuss and write down what makes them diverse. The teacher introduces the topic of diversity by engaging students in an activity... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Integrating Language Arts Using "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"

This lesson from ReadWriteThink uses Laura Joffe Numeroff's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie to combine word-skill work with prediction and sequencing practice. Students learn about cause-effect relationships during a shared reading of the book.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Have Journal...Will Travel: Promoting Family Involvement in Literacy

This lesson from ReadWriteThink is designed to engage families in shared literacy activities. The students take turns taking home a book bag that includes a stuffed toy, a book, art supplies, a topic to discuss with their families, and a journal to share... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

A Getting-Acquainted Activity Using "My Teacher's Secret Life"

In this ReadWriteThink activity, students listen to My Teacher's Secret Life, discuss the content, and make predictions about what the teacher and their peers do when they are away from school. The students will readily join in the discussion... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Deeper reading response: A template for teachers

Interacting with and responding to various texts is an important foundation to build in the primary years of a child's education. This lesson from ReadWriteThink details the five expressive and performative engagements for responding to text, as identified... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Connect with low-literate families: A three-tiered approach

This ReadWriteThink lesson involves giving children from low-literate families stories to read at home to enhance the home-school connection. Following Smith and Piper's three-tier scaffolding model, the teacher prepares students to read the story unassisted,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Book buddy biographies: Intermediate and primary students working together

This lesson from ReadWriteThink has students create a personalized biography for their reading buddy, and each child is the author, illustrator, and editor. Book Buddies is a program which pairs up a child from a primary class and a child from an intermediate... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink