ORC Resource Types

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: The lead of a story is the beginning, and yet it can be the end if the reader is not engaged in the writing. This lesson examines examples of leads in young adult literature such as setting, action, character, reflection, event, and dialogue in a shared reading experience....

Projects: Standards First

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: Through a series of literary discussions students interact with a thought-provoking story as they develop their reading, writing, oral, and critical-thinking skills. Amazing Grace, the story used in this lesson, promotes thoughtful discussions with a focus on individual interpretation that will allow students of all reading abilities to contribute....

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: In this instructional approach, students choose their own reading material, respond to reading in a journal, and discuss their books daily in small groups. Teachers model the process by guiding students through structured prompts and by rotating participation with the small groups....

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: This lesson provides students with a scaffold for creating meaning from text by having them discuss the importance of preserving a written history of humanity and reflect on the ways in which prior knowledge and life experiences influence others. Students begin by reading and analyzing The Giver by Lois Lowry....

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: In this lesson, students work in small groups to develop a choral reading of two poems about an assigned insect. The poems serve as an introduction to a research investigation (via the Internet) about the insect....

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: This lesson requires that students create a "My World of Words Journal" that includes definitions and proper usage information. These journals help students to maintain a personalized involvement with language by allowing them to select their own vocabulary words....

Discipline: English Language Arts

Professional Commentary: Behind every myth are many possible truths. As they read and discuss the pilgrims, and the first Thanksgiving, students think critically about commonly believed myths regarding native people in colonial America....

Discipline: Science

Discipline: Science

Professional Commentary: Children explore the properties of water through a variety of activities. This lesson is associated with PBS's Jay Jay the Jet Plane series....

Discipline: Science

Professional Commentary: Children explore daily weather changes through a variety of activities. This lesson is associated with PBS's Jay Jay the Jet Plane series....