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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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Diverse Voices-African American Ventures
Students research African-American participation in the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students read the article "Fighting Rebels with Only One Hand" and write a persuasive paragraph on whether the participation of the...
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Geo Jammin' - Day 5, Lesson 16: Capturing "Lions" of Poetry
Second graders participate in the Author's Chair, which is placed in the front of the room. The puppet, Geo George, asks students to take out their poems, then brings them to the Author's Chair individually to share their poems with the...
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Busy As a Bee
Students define the term 'simile,' write their own similes using the words as or like, and work cooperatively to write similes. In addition, students write stories that include similes and illustrate picture books that contain similes.
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Plants
Students identify and label parts of a plant. They will construct a plant from art material and describe the purpose of each part for the plants survival. Students author a book with pictures and words or a story about a plant.
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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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Surprise in a Suitcase
Students research an animal from Australia. They create a habitat (in the form of a diorama, poster, mobile, etc.) for their animal and write a coordinating paper. They present their animal and habitat to the rest of the class.
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A Formal Analysis of Science Fiction
Students write a five paragraph expository theme. They explain in their theme how the story they read qualifies as science fiction. Students write using all the conventions of English correctly.
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The Movement of Ideas
Twelfth graders read and analyze the literary elements of Alphonse Daudet's "The Last Lesson" and Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. They compare the two works and write an essay describing the reasons they feel the authors...
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Reporting Live From...
Young scholars examine the many disasters in West Virginia. In this US history lesson, students write about and give an oral presentation of one of the disasters as if they were reporters.
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The Class Garden Essay
Fifth graders use a class garden as inspiration for a specific writing assignment. They conduct research into different types of flowers in photo images taken with a digital camera. Students write a creative essay and draw a picture to...
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Labeling
Students discuss the use of labels. They read the story "Cassie's Word Quilt" by Faith Ringgold. Students view the illustrations in the story. They discuss how the author used labels in the story. Students create labels for their own...
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Studying Pillow The Book
Learners investigate the content of The Pillow Book. They conduct research and complete journals about the readings. There are target questions to guide the writing and reflection process.
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Internet Research tied to Literature for Alternative Jr. High
Ninth graders research a career using different "center" activities and then write a paper.
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A Poet's New Post
Students investigate the genre of poetry and focus upon its purpose while participating in class discussion. They read about the life and writings of Charles Simic and use it for the context of creating poetry that is similar in style.
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American Robin: Territory Study
Students read the article, American Robins: Territory Study, discussing the vocabulary, underlining key words, and taking notes. They write journal entries, and develop various writer's workshop assignments.
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Rapping Regions in America
Young scholars determine what designates a place as a region. They apply their criteria for a region to the US map. They work in groups to write a rap about their region that describes its organization, type and structure.
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American Perceptions of the Wilderness
Students examine various American perspectives about the wilderness over time. In small groups they read and analyze writings by William Bradford and Frederick Law Olmsted, summarize the major points of each author, and write an essay.
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Incorporating Thoreau And Theatre
Students investigate the writings of Thoreau. They read passages orally and look for words of imagery in the text. Students also answer a series of questions and they convert passages of writing into theatrical presentations in order to...
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James and the Giant Peach
Fourth graders read James and the Giant Peach, write a chronological narrative, and complete a webquest dealing with the life of Roald Dahl.
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Character Sketch
Pupils view a PowerPoint presentation about Character sketches, and write a four paragraph character sketch. Emphasis is placed on topic sentences having one main idea per paragraph and elaborating. They study and discuss ways to write...
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Guess What It Is?
Third graders write and present a descriptive 'powergraph' that describes a secret object using prior knowledge of adjectives, clustering graphic organizers, and presentation skills. Authors read powergraphs and classmates 'Guess What It...
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I Am An Animal: Where Do I Live?
Students make an alphabet booklet using the computer to find pictures and facts about farm animals, zoo animals and pets. They write facts about the animals: where they live, what they eat, their coloring, etc.