National First Ladies' Library
Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
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Lincoln's Legend and Legacy
Students evaluate Lincoln's impact on American History. In this Civil War lesson, students view a film clip of writings about Lincoln. Students take notes and compare how the writings define his legacy. Students write their own poem or...
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Cartoons: How Have Society's Views of Women Changed Over Time?
Students explore women's rights by viewing cartoon images. For this women's history lesson, students view several images depicting women in a certain way while discussing the meaning of the imagery among their classmates. Students write...
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Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
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Map of Ship Trap Island
Students read the short story "The Most Dangerous Game," and create maps of Ship Trap Island and justify why items are placed on their map in certain locations.
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A Long Time Ago in the Future
Students read and discuss Canadian young adult literature. They compare/contrast the elements of citizenship, characterization, and themes, write journal responses, and identify the elements that define Canadians.
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The Presidents of Mount Rushmore
Students understand the importance of Mount Rushmore as a national symbol. In this Mount Rushmore lesson, students locate Mount Rushmore on the map and investigate each of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Students understand how...
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Special Treatment
Learners determine the role of the FDA in approving new drugs. They investigate some of these new drugs and consider the pros and cons of taking part in a clinical study.
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Weather Watchers - Interdisciplinary
Students investigate weather and climate through a variety of interdisciplinary activities.
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Number Prefixes
Students recognize the number prefixes used throughout the English language. They identify the shapes and the prefixes that are associated with them.
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The Civil War Era
Fifth graders explore both the causes of and the actual events of the Civil War. They write essays and descriptive paragraphs and explore a variety of websites. They create a series of skits highlighting the key points of the Civil War era.
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A Bison Web
High schoolers view a documentary on the treatment of the buffalo. In groups, they create a website using ideas and solutions they developed. They must include graphics or animation and a multi-level webpage. They share their pages...
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Life Processes
Students identify life processes and create their own creature. In this creative science lesson, students identify an organism's life processes and categorize them into groups. They then create their own creature and write about how it...
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Tarantula Girl
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a two page true story about a girl who loves tarantulas. Students complete a 12 question multiple choice quiz on the story. There are four additional reading comprehension stories...
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Consequences of Individual Choices
High schoolers take the sides of Patriots or Tories. In this colonial American lesson, students read primary sources that feature James Murray and Captain Jones. High schoolers then write dialogues and limericks based on a fictional...
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declaration of Independence
Tenth graders research the Declaration of Independence and its impact. They assemble puzzle pieces of the declaration and create their own declaration of independence including grievances and resolution.
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3-D Magnetic Field
In this magnetism learning exercise, students build a 3 dimensional magnetic field by using a juice bottle, a test tube, iron fillings and a magnet. Students write a descriptive story about what they observe once their bottle is complete...
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Traits of Nonfiction
Here are some lesson ideas for teaching students about the traits of nonfiction text.
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Notetaking Skills
Fifth graders review notetaking skills and brainstorm a list of times when notetaking is important. They review a given text then take notes on writing paper, using the modeled style.
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Comprehension-"The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash"
In this comprehension instructional activity, students answer a set of 9 questions about The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash. A reference website is given for additional resources.
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Eat And Run
Students experience the dilemma deer face when they must browse for many hours daily yet also be on the alert for danger. They browse like deer, and demonstrate how deer react when danger appears.
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Teaching Comprehension Strategies
Reading Comprehension Lesson Plans can help students develop the right strategies.
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Ruby Bridges: One Little Girl's Brave Act
Second graders examine the life of Ruby Bridges. In this bravery lesson, 2nd graders read the story of Ruby Bridges and discuss Ruby's actions and decisions.
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Layers Of The Earth
Students examine the layers of the earth and the basic composition and thickness of each. Using construction paper, each student models the layers of the earth.