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Back to School (Elementary)
Students discover the vocabulary of the Six Pillars of Character and their relation to the school environment. In this character education instructional activity, students discuss the character pillars and brainstorm about their use in...
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What Really Happened?
Students read about the settlers in one of the first American colonies. They brainstorm ideas about what they think happened to the settlers. They write their version of what happened at Roanoke Island Colony.
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Creating a Clear, Accurate, Engaging Presentation
Young scholars create a presentation that is clear, accurate, and engaging. They, as a class, develop the criteria by which their presentation be judged.
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Narrative Writing Outline
Young scholars explore the elements of a narrative for its purpose, type of audience, mood, main character, minor characters, setting, and conflicts in the story. A story outline is developed and a five paragraph essay composed in this...
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Let Me Convince You
Students examine the elements of a persuasive speech and brainstorm topics related to school that they think should be changed. They compose and deliver a three to five minute persuasive speech to their classmates using the key...
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Growing a Story
Students discover how to grow their own story from a single idea. They create a list of fairy-tale items, such as magic wands, glass slippers, pumpkin coaches, and magic beans. They choose a single item from the class list and answer ...
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Advertising
Students complete a product analysis as a study of advertising. In this advertising lesson, students discuss advertising by putting up 10 product logos with the name of the products taken out. Students see how many products they can...
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Second graders study folktales and their characteristics. After brainstorming what they know about Africa, 2nd graders read a book about mosquitoes. In groups, students develop a graphic organizer about the characteristics of the...
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Mardi Gras Madness
CStudents create a sensory chart in on the topic of Mardi Gras. They design a brainstorm web using Inspiration and complete creative writing assignment. Students write a poem about Mardi Gras that is presented to the class at the final...
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The Great Gatsby
Eleventh graders investigate the concept of the American Dream. They use the novel "The Great Gatsby" as an example from literature. Students brainstorm in order to define the American Dream.
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Indian Reservation Haiku Poem
Students examine and write about the relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations. They view and discuss primary source photographs, brainstorm for details and emotions in a small group, and write a Haiku poem about the...
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"Ode to the Bluebonnet"
Fourth graders create an acrostic poem using the word "bluebonnet" They brainstorm adjectives and descriptive phrases for the bluebonnet and its habitat. They read The Legend of the Bluebonnet, by Tomie de Paola. students integrate...
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Dodging Responsibility
Young scholars explore responsibility. In this character education lesson, students review the definition of responsibility and brainstorm possible consequences of taking responsibility and not taking responsibility. Student's thoughts...
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Making a Peanut Butter Sandwich
Students give their teacher directions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In this direction lesson plan, students brainstorm the day before on the items they will need.
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Photo Essay
Students examine the process of writing a photo essay. They examine and select a personal photo or photo from a magazine, and brainstorm a story that can go with the photo. They identify an emotion to go with their picture, then write...
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Reading Paintings, Drawing Words
Students consider an art exhibit comprised of words that tell stories and create their own original pieces of art.
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I'm Special Books
Students become aware of the concept that each of us is special. They develop an appreciation for the special things that each can do now, and begin to develop early literacy skills. Each student creates a book about themselves and...
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Who Works for Nonprofits?
Students explore career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. In this character development and career lesson, students identify job opportunities in a nonprofit organization and research the necessary skills needed for these jobs. ...
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Defining Caring
Students define the word care and discover the importance of caring for others. In this character education lesson, students work as a class to brainstorm synonyms for care. Learners write a list of 5 things or people that they care about.
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The Sorcerers Shown
Students consider the different genres of literary and movie characters. In this character types activity, students brainstorm character genres from books and movies. Students read the article 'Which Wizard Beats 'Em All?' and develop...
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From Graphic Organizer to Comparison
Fifth graders brainstorm a variety of topics for writing. As a class, learners create four types of graphic organizers on selected topics. They discuss how to use graphic organizer in constructing a written paragraph.
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Writing With a Purpose
Third graders read "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" as a class. They brainstorm reasons for writing a letter to someone they know and discuss how the character in the story felt after writing the letter to her teacher. To end the lesson,...
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China CultureQuest
Students use the internet and other tools to examine the culture of China. In groups, they brainstorm a list of topics they want to know more about and practice writing Chinese letters. They create a collage to show the class what...
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Revision Activities
In this revision activities activity, students plot the development of tension throughout the book, answer seven questions about plot, analyze characters and theme, and discuss the writing style of the author. Students answer ten short...