Inspiration Lane (Gr. 3-10) - Language Arts Lesson Plans for Homeschooling

"Inspiration Lane" is an online, classroom magazine... unique because the content here automatically changes daily.

Here's 12 ways your class can enjoy learning English on Inspiration Lane:

(1) Speak: Discuss the big idea of the speaker featured in today's "Quote of the Day." Or, discuss the humorous idea in today's Garfield comic in "Comic Creators."

(2) Read: Read “This Day in History” and fact-check these events and dates, by comparing with other resources online. Or, have students work in groups and write three questions and answers in English, based on today’s entry.

(3) Research: Students can research to find the answer to the question ending the "Article of the Day," by clicking "More" at the end to continue reading this encyclopedia article.

(4) Teach English with Songs: Visit "Elvis says..." and take your students to a new place to sing and speak English -- with the King of Rock and Roll!

(5) Listen: Click on the "Spelling Bee” audio "play" icon, listen to the word, and type online the word you hear. Click "answer" to check your spelling. You’ll also see an audio dictionary now linked where you can enter any word -- and hear the word correctly pronounced in English.

(6) Vocabulary: Challenge students with the "Match Up" synonym word game. Students can improve their vocabulary independently or with a classmate in a lab, or with the whole class. (Use the online dictionary here for hints and help.) Click "answer" to check your answers.

(7) Write: See the photos in "Caption Central" and write descriptive captions in class. This is GREAT fun for all levels of learners, but especially fun for beginner English students!

(8) Write: Let the photos inspire students at all levels to write a poem. Or let student write a haiku, using artistic inspiration and guidance found in “Building Art.” If you like, publish student essays here online, on "Writer's Way."

(9) Read: Assign a biography to read and summarize, if any are featured in "This Day in History" or "Article of the Day," or just click on the author's name in "Quote of the Day." Students can also visit ”Cooking State” and ”Museum Town” for reading activities; then, students can extend their learning independently, at the grocery store or on their travels.

(10) Listen to Conversation: Listen to the audio conversation in "Today's English Lesson," and read the script of this conversation, below the streaming audio player. Discuss and answer the questions; then, click submit to check your answers.

(11) Translate: English as a Foreign Language ("EFL") teachers may appreciate that this site can be translated into nine other languages. Simply click on a flag at the top of the screen. Also, a new translation dictionary is here on the site, near "Spelling Bee."

(12) Visit Daily: Explore Inspiration Lane with your class each day, since the the content of "Quote of the Day," "This Day in History," "Article of the Day," "Comic Creators,” "Match Up", “Museum Town” and “Caption Central” is new each day! Note that “Today’s English Lesson” is updated daily Monday-Friday. "Cooking State" features a new recipe each day. "Spelling Bee” and “Building Art” provide new content immediately after use. "Elvis says..." adds a new link each month. Let's get started with today's word or phrase, below...