Read, Write, ROAR! Upper Elementary offers engaging videos and activities designed for 4th and 5th graders to enhance their reading and writing skills. Hosted by experienced teachers and educators from across the state, these videos encourage deep thinking about literacy. Students will explore metacognition, decoding strategies, genre identification, figurative language, and media literacy all while about Michigan’s unique history, science, and culture.
Browse segments by category with our Segment Library.
Learn more about the educators from this series on our Meet the Teachers page.
Read, Write, ROAR! is also available for preschool through 3rd grade.
Browse all Read, Write, ROAR! Upper Elementary Lessons
Enhance your writing with figurative language while exploring Michigan’s unique beaches and dunes.
Join Mr. Peterson on an exciting adventure at the International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton, Michigan. Learn how to conduct research, [...]
Lesson 112
On Read, Write, ROAR! Explore the concept of urban sprawl and its impact on nature by writing powerful haiku that [...]
Lesson 111
On Read, Write, ROAR! Discover the beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes and learn why protecting our national parks is so [...]
Explore Detroit’s largest art object, the Fisher Building, with Mr. Peterson! Discover its rich history, architecture, and the stories behind [...]
Explore Michigan’s lumbering history from the perspective of both lumberjacks and towering trees, and learn how to craft engaging stories.
Lesson 110
Discover the history of the I-496 freeway and its impact on Lansing’s African American community, exploring the effects of urban [...]
Lesson 109
Discover Michigan’s lumberjacks and learn how to write a blues poem, blending history and poetry to capture life’s struggles. Then, [...]
Lesson 108
Travel the scenic Lansing River Trail and create a persuasive pitch to visit its beautiful parks and historical sites. Then, [...]
Join Mr. Peterson as he interviews an expert about Anishinaabemowin. Learn the importance of preserving this language, its historical roots, [...]
Discover the power of intergenerational storytelling and learn how to preserve and share family stories for generations to come.
Lesson 106
Learn about Michigan's 2nd most spoken language, Arabic. Then learn about one of Michigan's first langauges, Anishinaabemowin.
Lesson 107
Enhance your writing with figurative language as we explore Michigan’s beautiful beaches and dunes.
Lesson 1005
From bridges to roads, rivers to lakes, trains to planes Michiganders need to get from here to there. Learn about how transportation works in Michigan.
Lesson 1004
Learn all about Michigan's tasty pasty and how it fueled miners in the Upper Peninsula. Then, an ode to Detroit's cheesy, crispy pizza.
Lesson 1003
Learn all about Michigan's climate. First, take a look at what causes lake effect snow. Then, what makes windpower work for Michigan?
Lesson 1002
Take a dive into the history of Michigan. First, learn about how Lansing became Michigan's capital city. Then, take a look at how Toledo ended up in Ohio!
Lesson 1001
What makes Michigan's economy run? Learn about Michigan's history with Rosie the Riveter, discover the life of a dairy farmer, and learn about how media is made.
Browse Episode Segments
Browse segments by category with our Segment Library.
Using a real-life example about voting ballots in Michigan, we’ll show you how to fact-check claims using reliable sources.
Ms. Audra invites you to create a beach soundscape using your voice and movements.
Miss Defauw shares a snowy memory and teaches students how to use dialogue to enhance storytelling and bring their writing to life.
Breathe deeply and let the sounds of nature inspire you to move and create.
Mr. Peterson explains wind power and demonstrates how to write a strong opinion essay, highlighting the importance of renewable energy.
What are ethics, and how do they guide us in making good choices?
In this detective-themed video, Ms. Meg helps you crack the mystery of idioms!
Did you know Michigan and Ohio once fought over the Toledo Strip? Let’s get started with a timeline and some exciting history facts!
Why did Michigan's state capital move from Detroit to Lansing? Join Mrs. Mask as she dives into the fascinating history behind this change and explains how Lansing was chosen.
Join naturalist Paul Roose as he teaches you how to be a citizen scientist by observing birds, collecting data, and recording your findings.
