Virginia Department of Education
Researching and Narrowing Topics
Internet research is becoming more common, so why not conduct an online research project in your classroom? Use this resource to get you and your class started. The lesson plan includes basic instructions and a list of questions to help...
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Current Event Jeopardy
Students read current event article with the purpose of highlighting possible questions and answers for the Jeopardy game. Each student picks a question and answer to use in the game.
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Security Guards: Are They Needed?
Students discuss the need for some school districts in their area to hire security guards. Using the internet, they identify the severity of the problem in the other districts and discuss what else could be done to make schools safer....
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Rosa Parks: Mother of Civil Rights Movement
Students read an article from Time and react to the article based upon what they have studied about Rosa Parks. They find that even though Rosa is no longer alive, she still has an impact today. They focus on that impact she has and...
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Another Look at School Safety
Students research crime and violence in their district, including finding out what has been discussed about safety and addition of surveillance cameras.Students conduct interviews and explore the legal issues involved. After all...
Illustrative Mathematics
Sarah, the chimpanzee
Is Sarah, the chimpanzee, smart or just a lucky guesser? Here, learners set up a simulation and read a dotplot to find out the likelihood of getting 7 out of 8 questions correct. One suggested modification would be to have your class...
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SCIENTIFIC ART
Students cut out pictures from magazines and create collages that demonstrate the five senses.
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International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Students investigate the pass laws that resulted in the Sharpeville Massacre. In this racism lesson, students find information about the massacre and attempt to find similarities to their own lives. They determine how similar incidents...
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War With Iraq
High schoolers research a variety of magazine articles on the issue of Iraq and conflict resolution. Students chart the costs and benefits of the military action. High schoolers prepare a rough layout and draft some content findings on...
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Outline It!
Fourth graders investigate how outlining can aid in comprehending text. In this reading comprehension lesson, 4th graders outline an article they read in groups of two. Students take turns reading the article, identifying the main idea,...
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Getting Real: Using Real Life Materials
Students examine many different types of real-life materials such as menus or newspaper articles. They practice filling out job applications or ordering at a sitdown restaurant.
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Economics
Fourth graders study the effects of economics in their daily life. In this economics lesson, 4th graders construct a list of wants and needs if they had an unlimited supply of money. Students discuss how economics help people make...
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A Classical Maya News Report
Students research the culture of the Mayans. In this early civilizations lesson, students research selected Maya city-states including Tikal, Clakmul, Piedras Niegras, and Uaxactun. Students use their research findings to present news...
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Progressives Perspectives
Eleventh graders consider the case for Progressive politics. In this Progressive Era lesson, 11th graders read excerpts from The Jungle as well as articles about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Students also analyze images from the...
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A Treaty Tail: U.S. - Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Students view a painting as a document to find out about the Indian Treaty Councils. In this artist's perspective lesson plan, students study the conflicts as shown in various pictures. Students answer questions about what they learn...
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Pennsylvania Geology - Dig Into It
In this Pennsylvania geology instructional activity, students click on the links in the questions about Pennsylvania geology to find the answers to the questions and then come back and answer the questions. Students answer 12 questions...
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Evaluating Material By Using Quotations
Twelfth graders examine how to evaluate reading material by using direct quotations. They read a Newsweek magazine article, answer questions, underline the passage that supports their written response, and write a letter to a senator...
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Reading and Thinking About Evolution
Students explore evolution. They read magazine articles related to evolution. Students describe arguments for/against evolution that the author used. Students discuss their findings.
Social Media Toolbox
Reporting with Social Media
What does it take to create news stories that are both informative and objective? Aspiring journalists walk the line between engagement and activism with lesson plan 15 of a 16-part series titled The Social Media Toolbox. Grouped pupils...
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Influencing Attitudes
Does propaganda—like that used during the first World War—exist today? The 11th instructional activity in a series of 12 highlights the role of media when it comes to influencing attitudes. Scholars learn about sensational headlines,...
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Summing It Up Can Be Fun!!
Learners observe and demonstrate the process of summarizing text. As a class, they silently read an article about panda bears from "Ranger Rick" magazine and answer comprehension questions. They answer the five "W" questions, and write...
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Information Station
Pupils look through different print materials to information. In this information lesson plan, students look through the newspaper, magazines, and menus to practice finding such things as, the weather for the day, a picture of a nice...
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Resource Based Learning Unit Using Mad Cow Disease
Students research the topic of mad cow disease. They use an internal research network to search for newspaper and magazine articles about the disease. They are to evaluate the information they find and determine if it is creditable.
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Biology Project: Gone Fishing
Students write a scientific article using data and prediction skills. In this scientific writing lesson, students access data about fishing off the coast of New Jersey. They look at satellite data, fluorometry and CTD data over a 3 -4...