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Activism and Social Reform in America from 1800-1850
Learners discuss idea of social status, examine antebellum social reform movements, and compare and contrast experiences of activists who sought to improve workers' lives, end slavery, reform immigration laws, and establish voting rights...
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What Is Good Use of Time?
Young scholars delve into questions about how best to use one's time-in one culture or another. They explore the kinds of choices students will make about their use of time and consider the statement: "We are shaped by the values of the...
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Polystyrene Containers
Students conduct experiments to determine the effectiveness of polystyrene containers at preventing heat loss. In this polymers lesson, students design an experiment to determine how effective Styrofoam burger containers are at...
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Kindergarten Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in a scavenger hunt. In this icebreaker lesson plan, students are given Scavenger Hunt Sheets and search their new classroom for the objects.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Students explore the concept of self-respect. In this character education lesson, students listen to the original "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" story and listen to the song. Students discuss the meaning of the word underdog and the...
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Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery
Students examine Abraham Lincoln's political views about slavery. In this American Civil War lesson, students determine how Lincoln's beliefs led to the restriction of slavery in American territories. Student also analyze the party...
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Freedom and You
Students research the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson plan, students research facts about the American Revolution, write an expository essay, and peer edit for good content. The paper is suggested to be written...
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Twain: Tom Sawyer—Mythic Adventurer
Students take a closer look at archetypes. In this characterization lesson, students examine the setting and the characters of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as they read and analyze the novel. Students consider how Twain mythically...
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American Born Chinese
Students make thematic connections and organize their ideas using a Venn Diagram. In this Venn Diagram instructional activity, students compare 3 different stories from a novel and fill in a Venn Diagram. Students then discuss their...
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How Much Energy Do You Use?
Students take a survey of energy-consuming appliances in their homes and calculate the daily cost of operating these machines. They identify those appliances that consume the most energy and consider ways to reduce the amount of energy...
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Family Money Matters: Exploring the World of Economics
Students become familiar with vocabulary related to spending money. In this economics lesson, students participate in activities to learn about spending money and budgets.
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Metaphors in Literature
Eighth graders analyze literature and the use of metaphors. In this metaphors lesson, 8th graders view and discuss the examples of metaphors. Students complete the phrases by writing in a metaphor.
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Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt
Eighth graders analyze and interpret figurative language. They listen to some examples of poetry which use figurative language. Then, they divide into groups and attempt to find more examples. Finally, 8th graders write what the poet is...
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Comparing Democracy and Republic
Middle schoolers use a graphic organizer, a T-chart, to contrast two types of government. They list facts about the two governments, and explain and defend their choice of facts to include.
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What Big Teeth You Have:
Students make their own tooth impressions of a sharp and a flat tooth and compare the differences. They make impression of fossil teeth from dinosaurs comparing the sharp and flat teeth and learning about their uses.
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Cinderella Stories From Around the World
Fifth graders review the basic story of the Cinderella fairy tale. In groups, they read various stories of Cinderella from different cultures. They use a compare and contrast chart to examine the differences between the American...
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The Conditions of Today
Students demonstrate their ability to use the library to research into current working conditions for the American worker. They identify connections and compare findings about contemporary conditions and the in-class readings of The...
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The Sentencing Activity
Young scholars simulate a trial where a crime has been committed and a judge decides on the sentencing. In this trial lesson plan, students discuss why boys and girls may view crimes differently.
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Macbeth
Students discuss the changes the characters go through in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. They discuss the themes of the play write an essay comparing current events to the themes of the play.
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Pre- and Post-Reading Plan
Young scholars are introduced to pre- and post-reading strategies. Individually, they read excerpts of a story while making predictions about what they believe is going to happen next. After reading the selection, they answer...
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No Title
Fourth graders identify examples of figurative language in the book, "One Day in the Woods," by Jean Craighead George. They illustrate a figure of speech and identify it as a simile or metaphor. Each student then records their...
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Introducing Models to Elementary School Students
Students explore the concept of models. In this model lesson, students examine 3-dimensional models of various objects and body parts to better understand the natural world.