This article discusses the reading comprehension strategy of visualization and how it can be used to enhance students' understanding of content-area text. Templates and links are provided.

This article describes seven strategies for assisting English Language Learners with science vocabulary development.

This article explains how hands-on science activity can support vocabulary development and links to two books and six web sites that provide more information.

What will students learn in this lesson?Throughout this lesson, your student(s) will be introduced to different types of sports and leisure activities. The lesson includes several pictures and speaking prompts to encourage students to use new vocabulary words in the correct context.In this lesson, your student(s) will also learn to differentiate sports, leisure activities, and games. With help, they will be able to describe how these are played or completed.Moreover, your student(s) will gain the knowledge to match vocabulary words and complete sentences with the relevant images. As well, they will learn to fill in the blanks of sentences with the correct words.Finally, your student(s) will learn to practice using words and verbs in different contexts. In particular, you should encourage them to use the verbs play, do and go with the vocabulary learned. By the end of the lesson, your student(s) should be able to form sentences independently and to ask you or their classmates' related questions.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – ClothingEven though this lesson plan is geared towards working students, students of all backgrounds will appreciate this lesson plan about clothing. It features clothing-related vocabulary that is a bit more specific (collar, high heels), as well as useful adjectives to describe clothes. Also, this makes it a great vocabulary-focused lesson plan for intermediate-level students! Finally, this lesson goes perfectly with the third lesson in our Step-By-Step curriculum on Money and Shopping.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – FamilyThis is an introductory lesson, but would also make a great review lesson for students of all ages and levels. If your students are advanced, use it along with the speaking lesson plan My Family. In this lesson, your students will learn vocabulary related to immediate family members (mother, father, brother, sister, etc) and practice reading simple family trees. After completing this lesson, your students will gain knowledge and you will learn more about them!If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – Food IntroductionThis lesson plan introduces common food items like fruits, vegetables, and other staples. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, most students love to talk about food, so use your creativity and turn this lesson into a communicative activity. This vocabulary lesson plan also pairs well with the unit Are you Hungry, which is part of Off2Class’s Step-by-Step curriculum.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – JobsIn this lesson, students can practice talking about vocabulary related to jobs, where jobs are performed, and tools. Employed students or those looking for work will really enjoy this lesson! After teaching this lesson, check out our lesson plan A Day at the Office, and allow students to put this new vocabulary to use.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – NationalityStudents will love practicing the vocabulary in this introductory lesson plan on nationality! Students will work on pairing countries with nationalities and languages. Ideally, they will have a bit of prior experience identifying countries and flags. If your students are just starting out, try using this lesson along with the first unit in Off2Class’s Step-by-Step curriculum Let’s Start.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

Vocabulary – BodyThis is a great lesson plan for students of all ages and professional backgrounds. In this lesson, your students can practice major parts of the body (head, back, shoulders, knees, etc) and how to use them in simple sentences. Ideally, your students will know how to use the present simple and past tenses to complete this lesson, but you could easily skip those activities too.If you want additional lesson plans and support, including teachers’ notes, be sure to register for a free Off2Class account.

This article provides an overview of the free online tool VoiceThread and discusses how elementary teachers might use it in language arts and science classes. Resources provided.

Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of "Class of '29" at the Waterloo Theater, showing a row of students in caps and gowns. Date stamped on verso: Jul 8 1937.

In this podcast, learn about student misconceptions about heat and activities that target them.

This article highlights hands-on and inquiry-based science lessons that teach about the water cycle and provides lessons that integrate literacy skills with the science investigations.

This article describes ways to supplement a science unit on the water cycle with the book Water Dance by Thomas Locker. Ideas for art, writing, poetry, and creative movement are included.

In this issue of the free online magazine, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, explore what the polar regions can teach us about the water cycle and the states and changes of matter. Find lesson plans about the many forms of water, ice, and snow found in the polar regions and how to use science notebooks to integrate literacy and science.

This article highlights children's literature about states of matter, phase changes, the water cycle, and glaciers and icebergs for use in the elementary classroom.

This article describes how to guide elementary students through writing a research report. The first article in this series described how to organize information.

This article links to resources to help teachers create their own weather stations, participate in real data projects, and assess their students' knowledge of weather tools.

This issue of the free online magazine, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, explores how elementary teachers can move from a study of the weather at home to the weather of the polar regions through hands-on activity, reading, and discussion.