Annual fence-painting contests take place in Hannibal, Missouri.

A scene from one of Twain's works is chosen and students map the story setting using the Story Map. Setting is then discussed as a class.

Grades   3 – 8

Write letters that make things happen!

In a small group or as individuals, students write letters related to a unit of study or particular topic they have studied.

Grades   1 – 12

Nancy Farmer, three-time Newbery honoree, was born in 1941.

Students write original short stories in the science fiction genre based on some of Farmer's works and society's most hotly-debated issues, such as cloning, toxic waste, and brain implants.

Grades   3 – 8

The Scopes Trial began today in 1925.

Students brainstorm a list of objects and processes that have changed over time and use the Timeline tool to sketch out the evolution of the item they have chosen. A giant class timeline can be created to show the evolution of the items students have investigated.

Grades   5 – 12

Children's author Patricia Polacco was born in 1944.

Students share family stories of their own by writing original poems and reviewing parts of speech using the Diamante Poems tool.

Grades   3 – 8

Author E.B. White was born on this day in 1899.

Author E.B. White, most well-known for his famous children's book, Charlotte's Web, received high acclaim and awards for many of his works of fiction.

Grades   K – 5