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Beginning With Writing; Convey Ideas in Writing
Walk young writers through the process of creating an initial writing sample for their portfolio. They determine their purpose, organize their ideas, and then create a draft. The lesson includes worksheets and online resources to...
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Why Was the United States Filled With Self-Doubt at the End of the Carter Administration?
Pupils research the events of the 1960s and 1970s using the internet. In groups, they draw their own political cartoons about one of the events. They also write a summary about how one specific event of their choosing gave the United...
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The Rights of Bike Riders
Students write a letter to the editor of a newspaper about the bicycle helmet safety issue. They gather statistics about bicycle helmet use and discuss the statistics as a class and explain how to interpret the numbers accurately. They...
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Two Sources of Story Ideas for Our Paper
Young scholars research and identify story ideas for the school newspaper. In this story ideas lesson, students pitch story ideas to their teacher on a weekly basis using a specific format. Young scholars find the majority of their ideas...
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Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
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Writing a Letter to the Editor
Students examine the structure and elements of a letter to the editor. They identify letter elements, read and discuss newspaper letters, and write and submit a letter to a local newspaper.
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The Diary of Anne Frank
Eighth graders apply knowledge of the Holocaust in general and The Diary of Anne Frank in particular to their writing. Acting the play out in class provides them an almost firsthand knowledge of Anne and the other characters.
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Commemorations Across Cultures
Learners explore how different cultures commemorate people and events. They research how commemorations are created through music, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, and poetry. In collaborative, students create a...
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An Exploration of Automotive Design
students research varied aspects of car design, and create a new design for the exterior body of a car. Students conduct Internet research, respond to writing prompts, and analyze, evaluate and synthesize information from multiple...
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A Kids Guide to...
Learners look into their community's historical changes. In this community lesson, students see what draws people to their community and research important buildings or national historic sites. They look at local architecture and...
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Who Knew What When?
Students define words of relevance to the stock market and fair trading. They explore the significant events surrounding the charges brought against Martha Stewart as a means of learning how the stock market is governed.
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The election of 1824
Students explain why the election of 1824 was called the corrupt bargain and develop a better understanding of the Electoral College and see some of its flaws.
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More Harm Than Good?
Students explore the controversial 'harm reduction' approach to drug use and debate the various sides to this approach.
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Activity 5: Creative Writing/Expression About Child Labor
Students research child labor using Internet resources. They present the information in a creative writing piece and post it on Chalkboard.
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Reporting on WWII in Alaska
Students explain the people and the political, geographic, economic, cultural, social, and environmental events that have shaped the history of the state, the United States, and the world.
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Analyzing Election Cartoons
Pupils are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original cartoon...
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Do You Agree?
Students recognize bias in a political cartoon, evaluate how the media uses both positive and/or negative political cartoons, and assess the influence a political cartoon can have on a person.
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To Be Or Not To Be... (Hamlet)
Pupils complete a unit of lessons on William Shakespeare's Hamlet. They analyze the plot, themes, and characterization, relate songs to thematic issues, develop plot summaries and translations, and compare the play to a movie version.
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NATO and Russia: Will the Expansion of NATO Cause a New Cold War?
Eleventh graders role play as participants in a NATO meeting focused on inviting a number of independent republics from the former Soviet Union to become members of NATO. They represent their countries after researching them.
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A Newscast on Nigerian Women
Pupils research the history of Nigeria and the role that women have in its society. The students then showcase this information in a 10 to 15 minute newscast focused on the challenges faced by these women.
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Frontier Wars of the 1790s
Students explore the frontier wars of the 1790s. After researching one battle, teams of students prepare a presentation for the class. Students compare and contrast the Columbian Tragedy with "broadsides" that were printed to announce...
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Where's the CAT? a DNA Profiling Simulation.
Students explore DNA technology. Students participate in a simulation to perform at the basic steps of a DNA profile. They observe copies of DNA sequences, construct DNA probes, and discuss outcomes of their experiment.
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Dwellings Around the Globe
Students explore dwellings around the globe and conduct collaborative research on cliff dwellings, igloos, longhouses, and yurts. They then explore how different dwellings reflect environmental and cultural conditions, and they create a...
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Civil War Newspaper
Students investigate the concept of the Civil War while conducting research using a variety of resources. The information is used to create a source for a class project. They create a class newspaper that becomes a summary of some...