1 Choosing, Chatting, and Collecting: Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 6–10 Professional Commentary: In the vocabulary self-collection strategy, students choose the words they want to learn, offer a rationale for their selection, and agree upon words to include in a classroom collection. This strategy helps students to understand the meanings of new words, integrate new words in their conversations and writing, and make personal connections with words while reading.... 2 Prize-Winning Prose: Developing "Kid's Pulitzers" in the Language Arts Classroom Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: In this lesson students develop criteria for Kid's Pulitzers -- awards in categories of writing determined by the students. Each student will then bestow a Kid's Pulitzer upon a piece of writing which they deem to be distinguished based on the established criteria.... 3 Swinging with the Times: Giving A Modern Slant to Favorite Children's Stories Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students examine the many changes in the Tarzan character from Edgar Rice Burroughs' first novel to Disney's newest movie version to understand how children's movies are often used to mirror and promote cultural attitudes and beliefs. Students then adapt a favorite children's story to a modern setting, updating the characters and plot to... 4 NAEP Assessment Item, Grade 8: Sharebots: Meaning of altruistic--assist Resource Type: Assessments Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 7–9 Professional Commentary: Students use context clues to determine the meaning of an unknown word. This is a sample multiple choice test item used in a past National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) assessment (for more information, see About NAEP).... 5 Hit or Myth: Exploring Mythology from Ancient Civilizations Around the World Resource Type: Lessons Discipline: Reading Grades: Grades 8–10 Professional Commentary: This resource uses a feature article from the New York Times to discuss the ways in which ancient myths are portrayed in popular culture. After reading several myths, students compare and contrast the myths of different ancient cultures and create children's books based on a myth.... |