Browse lesson plans

A “defining moment” in editorial writing

Students will be introduced to the definition mode of writing. Students will learn to define a particular subject by responding in an editorial format. Students will first compose an editorial graphic organizer, which will aid in composing a completed editorial using the writing process. This lesson includes modifications for a Novice Low Limited English student.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Susan Brooks and Carrie Mabry.

Animal adjectives

Students will describe animals as they review nouns and verbs associated with these animals. They will learn to use adjectives as they describe the animals. They will use this knowledge to write their stories about animals.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Anita Baldwin, Ann Loftis, and Genevieve Kiser.

Awesome action words

Good writers use precise verbs to make stories interesting and vivid. In this lesson, students will learn to replace boring, redundant, generic verbs with more precise “Awesome Action Words.”

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By DPI Writing Strategies.

Birds of a feather, an interdisciplinary unit: Language Arts wing

This lesson, which features Mark Twain's “Jim Baker's Blue-jay Yarn,” is part of an interdisciplinary unit on birds that contains math/science and language arts components. In the language arts wing, students will explore dialects and personification through this very entertaining tall tale full of the antics of talking blue-jays.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Janet Fore.

Colors and symbols of stigmatization

This lesson is an introduction to the reading of Night by Elie Wiesel, which students will read independently. The students will do research to discover the different colors and symbols used to symbolize the Nazi party's list of undesirable people. The students will gain an understanding of how other people can arbitrarily judge other people as inferior.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Social Studies)

By Sandra Hurd and Wilma Gale.

Creature creation: An elaboration writing activity

This lesson will focus on the writing element of elaboration. It will also tap into higher order thinking skills with the creation of a Coastal Plain imaginary animal and a creative story about the creature. This lesson could be linked to 4th grade Science and Social Studies objectives. For more in-depth knowledge in those other subjects, go to the lesson entitled Researching the Coastal Plain

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Ana Sanders and Heather Ennis.

Discovering how to take care of our natural resources

This lesson focuses on our natural resources and the effects our actions have on them. Students explore this concept through discussion, matching, literature, and writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Social Studies)

By Jennifer Hicks and Alison Short.

Elements of a fable

In this lesson students will examine the elements of a fable. Students will use their understanding of fable elements to create an original fable and present it in dramatic form. This lesson includes modifications and alternative assessments for Advanced Limited English Proficient students.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Kate Boyce.

Flying high with hot air balloons!

This lesson plan, written for the Novice High Second Language Student, uses the historical fiction book The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr, to reinforce basic vocabulary and introduce new vocabulary while tying into many community sponsored hot air balloon events held in the fall.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Barbara Boal.

Invention convention

In this integrated unit, students will draw upon language arts, science, and math while inventing a magnetic or electric product. The lessons in this unit provide accommodations for English Language Learners at a variety of developmental levels.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Justice for all?: To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill

Following a study of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, students will view the courtroom scenes in To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill and determine factors which influenced the verdicts in each trial.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Becky Ackert and Deborah Belknap.

A matter of identity: Writing an extended metaphor poem

Students apply their knowledge of literary devices by reading and analyzing the poem “Identity” by Julio Noboa Polanco. Students then create their own poem incorporating the literary devices studied and analyzed in the above mentioned poem. This lesson includes modifications for a Novice Low Limited English student.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Susan Brooks and Carrie Mabry.

Week 4: Writing “how-to” instructions

In Invention convention, page 11

In this Invention Convention lesson, students write instructions explaining how to use their inventions.

Format: lesson plan

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Conclusion paragraphs

In Invention convention, page 15

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will write convincing conclusions.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Developing informative paragraphs

In Invention convention, page 14

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will consider writing elements that will make detailed paragraphs interesting and draft three informative paragraphs.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Week 5: Writing an engaging opening

In Invention convention, page 13

In this Invention Convention lesson, students will analyze slogans from famous inventions and identify a sound, ability, or description that is unique to their invention. They will use this information to write an engaging opening for their expository writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts)

By Briana Corke Pelton.

Wish you were here!

Students apply their knowledge of vocabulary and writing skills along with art skills to create a postcard.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Maggie Harder.

Resources on the web

International Reading Association

Research, practice, and policy that improve reading instruction for the benefit of all teachers and students. Since 1956, IRA has been a nonprofit, global network of individuals and institutions committed to worldwide literacy. IRA promotes high levels of... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: International Reading Association

LitSite Alaska

LitSite Alaska, created by the Creative Writing Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Literary Consortium, includes workbooks designed to help teachers design effective assignments in reading and writing. Examples... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: University of Alaska Anchorage

Nature reflections: Interactive language practice for English-language learners

Students reflect on nature through readings, a visit to a green area, and bookmaking using the writing process and peer feedback. English-language learner (ELL) strategies in this lesson include previewing before reading, read-alouds, choral reading, total... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink