In this unit, students will understand where “fake news” comes from, why it exists and how they can think like fact checkers to become fluent consumers, evaluators, and creators of information. They will apply this knowledge by selecting a controversial topic to evaluate, synthesize, and analyze all aspects before sharing with a local audience.

This lesson uses tall tale read alouds to reinforce the common elements, or text structure, of tall tales. As the text is read aloud, students examine the elements of the book that are characteristic of tall tales. Then using what they've learned, they write and perform tall tales of their own.

Podcasting can be a great way to get students, parents, and community members involved with classroom activities and information. ELL students can use podcasting as a way to demonstrate the skills they are developing as well as provide a way to reach other ELL students who may be encountering similar (difficulties).

This template was created to help plan lessons that support English Language Learners for the SPELL project.

Direct teaching of vocabulary can help improve comprehension only when taught in meaningful context. Through the use of technology, students can develop their academic vocabulary in an engaging and fun way.

This online tool enables students to learn about and write acrostic poems. Elements of the writing process are also included.

This resource was created by Maelynn Liewer, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.

This phonics program was developed to serve students with diverse educational backgrounds, with a specific focus on refugees. One of the challenges in working with refugees is that, unlike international students, they come to English classes with huge variation in educational experience. Some students may have finished high school or have a college degree, while others may not have ever picked up a pencil before. The goal of this program is to provide a bridge for those students with limited literacy skills so that they are able to move on to a more traditional beginning ESL class. There are a number of assumptions about academic skills made in most English language classrooms, even at a beginning level. As a result, teachers and students alike become frustrated when those expectations are confounded.

In this lesson, students will explore the outdoor classroom finding objects and determining the first letter.

Students use this online tool to create an alphabet chart or pages for an alphabet book.

As teachers, one of our primary responsibilities is to help students understand and analyze various types of texts. To do this effectively, we need to have a solid understanding of the text ourselves. This learning activity will help you develop your skills in analyzing texts and prepare you to help your students do the same.

Supporting inquiry-based research projects, the Animal Inquiry interactive invites elementary students to explore animal facts and habitats using writing prompts to guide and record their findings.

This resource was created by Melissa Smith, in collaboration with Dawn DeTurk, Hannah Blomstedt, and Julie Albrecht, as part of ESU2's Integrating the Arts project. This project is a four year initiative focused on integrating arts into the core curriculum through teacher education, practice, and coaching.