Relevant Resources

This lesson takes students through an understanding of what is involved in sending and receiving clear messages. It allows for discussions on good listening skills and non-verbal communication skills as well. You know how you are always looking for that one activity for the first week of class. It is great as a first week activity as it involves student interaction in small groups so students get to know each other in a non-intimidating way. Students work in small groups with short activities

This 17 slide PowerPoint Presentation gives the basics of using APA in-text documentation and creating a Reference Page. It provides just enough information so that it does not overwhelm students including documentation with and without an author, omitting words from quotes, adding words into quotes. Examples are included. A short quiz follows. This lesson could be used as a review -- information transitions on the click of the mouse. It could also be used as an introduction to APA -- to ge

This package includes the steps for writing a structured character sketch paragraph. It uses the short story "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" as a guideline to writing the sketch. The guideline breaks down the parts of the paragraph with sentences that the students can use to model their own paragraph. Also, included is an exemplar character sketch, graphic organizer and an evaluation tool for the paragraph that the students write. Use Ambose Bierce's short story as a guide to helping student

This package is designed to give students the format for writing a unified essay expanded paragraph. Included in the package are the steps to writing a paragraph as well as a sample paragraph demonstrating use of transition words and key words that connect to topic sentence and supporting sentences. The sample paragraph gives students a model to use for their own writing.

This lesson includes an overview of how to write a five paragraph persuasive essay. It includes an explanation of the introductory paragraph, thesis statement, body paragraphs and concluding paragraph. The sample introductory paragraph and sample body paragraph give students a model to work from to help them craft their own essay. These paragraphs are great to use as discussion pieces -- what worked well in the paragraphs, how did the writer document sources, how did the writer move from one id

This short task on dangling modifiers involves collaborative learning. It is intended as a one hour or less review or introduction to dangling modifiers -- it is not a drawn out lesson. The idea is to make it short and effective. No instruction is initially given -- students are given questions to answer within their groups in order to gain a basic understanding of dangling modifiers. Students will learn the concept of dangling modifiers much better if they try to figure it out themselves.

This activity is great for any short story. It involves group or partner work using a chart to gather information about the short story form. My adult students really enjoy the assignment. Students investigate various "elements of the short story form" and use group discussion or the Internet to gather the required information to fill in the chart. The class can then discuss the various group responses for a clear understanding of the components that are involved in writing a short story. Onc

Relevant Resources -- Investigating Print Ads is a fun activity for engaging students in group work and discussion. It is a quick look at advertising through an investigative approach to techniques advertisers use to convey and persuade their audience. Students learn media literacy through a hands on approach and co-operative learning. Follow through the activities with your students and adjust as you go for your grade level -- relevant at all levels of instruction!