Science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer shares his word processing tricks and tools for proofreading and editing a manuscript. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.6 Use technology to produce and publish writing

This activity is a field investigation of puddles where students gather data and record their findings.

A very good article providing "secrets" to those writers hoping to get published. Includes tips, secrets, quotes from published writers, and links for further information.

A series of three PDF documents providing definitions of commonly used terms when preparing to write a literary analysis, explaining how to comment on a literary text, and demonstrating the process of analyzing the literary text "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway. Following the documents, a video provides an example of a literary analysis completed with Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." [5:09] W.11-12.9a Amer Lit 18th,19th, 20th cen/Analy

This video, effective for engaging students with significant cognitive disabilities, explores how a classroom teacher chose a topic for a writing assignment.

Learn how to write professional emails for specific workplace situations. Time to complete: 45-90 minutes

A screencast lesson introducing the appropriate use of transitional words and phrases that signal sequence. [2:29]

Ever wonder why Thursday is called Thursday? Find the answer to this and other word origins.

(How) have public attitudes about work and gender changed over the last 25 years? Using the General Social Survey (available online) students will conduct a descriptive statistical analysis of Americans perceptions about women and work from 1988. They will then contextualize their findings within the contemporary literature about these issues.

Create a slideshow presentation to show your appreciation for a teacher, coach, or friend. Time to complete: 45-90 minutes

Students explore and experiment with various objects to find which materials will float or sink. They record predictions and results, and generate ideas about the properties of materials that float or sink.

This site provides a detailed overview of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Content includes an introduction to the text, three versions of the full text, numerous essays and articles which explore the text, and other resources.

From the basics about slavery to the attitudes that defended it and the efforts of those who wanted to see it abolished, in this lesson students learn about this dark part of America's past.
** Please note: The section about the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 has been moved to a new mini-lesson called Slave States, Free States that explores the debate about the expansion of slavery. We recommend teaching this mini-lesson along with the Slavery lesson. Find it in our Geography Library.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Explain the impact of slavery on African Americans. *Identify modes of resisting slavery through the actions of Nat Turner and Dred Scott. *Explain the ‘necessary evil' defense of slavery. *Describe the methods of the abolitionist movement. *Identify the inconsistencies in the founding documents regarding the legal existence of slavery

Contains plans for four lessons that ask students to write critical literature reviews after reading reviews of movies, music, restaurants, and books. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to sites used in the lessons as well as assessment and reflection activities.

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, the first great Latin American poet, is still considered one of the most important literary figures of the American Hemisphere, and one of the first feminist writers. In the 1600s, she defended her right to be an intellectual, suggesting that women should be educated and educators and accusing men of being the cause of the very ills they blamed on women.

As if they are engineers, students are tasked to design solar-powered model vehicles that are speedy and compact in order to make recommendations to a local car sales company. Teams familiarize themselves with the materials by building solar-panel model car prototypes, following kit instructions, which they test for speed. After making design improvements, they test again. Then they take measurements and calculate the volume of each team’s vehicle. They rank all teams’ vehicles by speed and by size. After data analyses, reflection and team discussion, students write recommendations to the car company about the vehicle they think is best for consumers. Youngsters experience key portions of the engineering design process and learn the importance of testing and collaborating in order to make better products. Pre/post-quizzes and numerous worksheets and handouts are provided.

A short animation that explains the left-to-right orientation of reading and writing the English language.

Create an effective resume that highlights your experience and achievements using a template from Google Docs. Time to complete: 45-90 minutes

A lesson plan where students make their own "story spinner" and create alternate endings to a book they've read. Includes adaptations and resources. (To access this lesson plan, you must register with Crayola.com. Registration is free and takes only a few moments to complete.)

StoryMaker is a free learning platform powered by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. It is your one-stop shop for projects, tutorials, and lesson plans connected to media making, digital journalism, and public broadcasting.