Search Resources

Search ThoughtfulLearning.com for a wealth of resources for teaching English language arts, 21st century skills, and social-emotional learning. You’ll find books, online units, minilessons, student models, videos, and much more! Type your search below and add filters to refine the results.

Search results

    Minilesson

    Developing an Opinion Statement

    Develop a main claim.

    High school male cheering

    Minilesson

    Answering Objections in Arguments

    Answer key objections to an argument.

    Illustration of figure pulling rope

    Minilesson

    Keeping a Learning Log

    Tips for starting and maintaining a learning log.

    Young adult writing on a notepad

    Minilesson

    Performing a Stop 'n' Write

    Pause and reflect on your reading or learning.

    Stop Sign

    Minilesson

    Choosing the Right Coordinating Conjunction

    Learn how to choose precise connecting words. 

    Traffic Light

    Minilesson

    Elaborating Ideas with Compound Sentences

    Learn how to add new details to sentences. 

    Street Art

    Minilesson

    Making Rhetorical Appeals

    Appeal to ethos, logos, and pathos.
     

    Aristotle Statue

    Minilesson

    Analyzing the Medium of a Message

    Improve students' media literacy.

    Minilesson

    Labeling Your Feelings

    Calm your body and mind by voicing your feelings.

    Minilesson

    Analyze the Communication Situation

    Think of the sender, message, medium, receiver, and context.

    Communication Situation

    Minilesson

    Make Abstract Ideas Concrete

    Make concrete representations of abstract ideas.

    Making the Abstract Concrete

    Minilesson

    Create a Memory Palace

    Use spatial awareness to improve memory.

    Buckingham Palace

    Minilesson

    Using Anecdotes in Formal Writing

    Add a narrative touch to formal writing.

    Illustration of a flying fish jumping over a boy in a rowboat

    Minilesson

    Evaluating Sources of Information

    Evaluate sources with a checklist.
     

    Evaluating Sources of Information

    Minilesson

    Punctuating Dialogue

    Teach quotation marks with end punctuation.
     

    Minilesson

    Asking and Answering the 5 W's and H Questions

    Teach students to collect key details.

    Question Mark

    Minilesson

    Writing a Creative Synopsis

    Create a synopsis of a book, TV show, or event.

    Television illustration

    Minilesson

    Using Signal Phrases

    Smoothy integrate sources in your writing. 

    Minilesson

    Using Perspective Shifting to Imagine History

    Help students gain a historical viewpoint.

    illustration of man and horse imagining history

    Minilesson

    Using Perspective Shifting to Persuade Readers

    Help students see from readers' perspectives.

    illustration of girl writing and thinking

    Minilesson

    Using Perspective Shifting to Understand Others

    Help students improve empathy.

    illustration of girl and boy working together

    Student Writing Model

    My Trip to Mexico

    Many details are included in this writing, and a personal tone emerges. The piece has a clear beginning, middle, and ending.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Narrative Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Play
    Travel
    Geography

    Student Writing Model

    A Happy Day

    This writing shows the feelings of the writer and is well organized.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Narrative Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    My Favorite Pet

    Adam, the first-grade writer of this model, uses his senses to describe his cat—fluffy, soft, fat. Readers can “see” and “feel” Buzz.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Home

Pages