By analzying picture books, students will make connections between the text and the illustrations of a story. They will compare and contrast the text and the illustrations and reflect upon how they impact their comprehension of a text.

This lesson teaches kids all about Malcolm X and how his childhood influenced him to become one of America's most well known, controversial, and revolutionary figures. First kids will listen to a read-aloud authored by Malcolm X's daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, and then they will write an informative paragraph.

In this lesson, students will solve a design problem as they create a marble maze out of LEGO bricks.

Students will use their understanding of plot, theme, and comparing and contrasting in this lesson that teaches about an award-winning African American author, Jacqueline Woodson. Students will read some of her fiction books and compare and contrast the stories. They'll also discuss what they think makes Jacqueline Woodson an award-winning author.

In this lesson, your students will explore the world through a variety of picture books. They will examine a variety of themes through each text that they read and determine any common themes among the texts.

This lesson introduces students to a variety of resources that they can use when doing research. It will also help them differentiate between print and digital sources and how to use each.

The Earth is constantly giving us clean water, shelter, food, and so much more! Through this lesson, students will learn about how nature is always giving and discuss ways we can appreciate and take care of our environment.

Students will love talking about what they've been reading when the story comes to life. This tea time activity nourishes students' confidence in addition to improving their reading comprehension skills.

Inventors and their novel inventions are always a thrilling topic! In the lesson Researching Black Inventors, first graders and second graders are encouraged to research the rich history of African American inventors. This engaging lesson plan provides students with an opportunity to learn all about inventors they find interesting and the impact those inventors have on the world. Perfect for Black History Month, this learning activity highlights informational writing skills and helps build students' vocabulary.

What is the cause, and what is the effect? Use this resource to teach your students how to identify examples of cause and effect in nonfiction text.

This lesson walks students through the first few steps of crafting a personal narrative. Writers will start by going through a process to select an idea to write about, then begin to craft a hook that invites readers into their story.