English Language Arts: Communication Strategies

K-12: Standard 5

• Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

English Language Arts: Developing Research Skills

K-12: Standard 8

• Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

English Language Arts: Applying Non-English Perspectives

K-12: Standard 10

• Students whose first language is not English make use of their first language to develop competency in the English language arts and to develop an understanding of content across the curriculum.

Standards for the English Language Arts, by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, Copyright 1996 by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Reprinted with permission.

Source: NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts

Encourage students as they follow the writing process to explore anything from simple sentences to five-paragraph essays. These versatile booklets can support writing exercises in all major subject areas and current events. The students may be prompted to explore any genre to express ideas. Older students can explore library resources to develop research-based writing. Second language learners can relate to given themes to develop writing skills. Through creative writing, the teacher can develop a unique classroom library featuring students as authors.

Supplies Used: Buttons, Chalk, Colored Cardstock, Construction Paper, Patterned Paper, Ribbon

The teacher will cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Create a card out of colored cardstock and patterned paper.
2. Use the eclips to cut shapes and sentiment out of a variety of paper.
3. Highlight shapes with chalk and adhere to the front of the card.
4. Embellish with ribbon and buttons (see Main Photo).