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Anne Frank: Pictures - First Impressions
Fourth graders identify personal biases and formulate a plan to 'make a difference. They, hopefully, increase their sensitivity to diversity. Groups of students view photographs of different people, and share their first impressions.
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Macbeth Madness
Students analyze Shakespeare's Macbeth through the reading and discussion activities. In this Macbeth lesson, students read Act IV and V and then discuss the ending to the play.
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Thinking About the World of Work
Students explore the laws and protections afforded to adolescent workers. They analyze two case studies, create KWL charts, participate in class discussions and write entries in a thinking log to record their reflections.
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A Glacier Ran Through It
Students learn basic geological concepts while researching how ice age floods sculpted the plateau of the Columbia Basin. They synthesize their learning by creating annotated illustrations of the geological principles they studied.
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Laurence Yep's Dragonwings
Middle schoolers read independently the novel, "Dragonwings," by Laurence Yep and make connections between a text and the world. They summarize, paraphrase, analyze and evaluate skimming and scanning techniques when reading a novel. Each...
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"Owl" A Haitian Folk Tale
Eighth graders read and discuss the Haitian folktale, "Owl." They compare it to the story, "Brer Possum's Dilemma," using a Venn diagram to show how they are different and alike. In groups, they retell the story in a skit format.
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The Formation of Soil
Students identify the different components that make up soil. In this earth science lesson, students create a pamphlet for next year's class. They analyze how erosion and weathering shape the Earth.
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Groups Coming to America
Fifth graders use text or other references to locate different types of information about the Mayflower and pilgrims. They create a presentation for lower elementary classes about the Pilgrims.
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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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What is Manga?
Students research graphic novels. In this manga lesson, students work in small groups as the read graphic novels in literature circle format.
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Dear Zookeeper
First graders listen to the book, Dear Zoo. Working in groups, they develop a list of at least three zoo mammals. They write a letter to a zookeeper using four parts, which include a heading, body, closing and signature.
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Buying Power
Students use a magazine article/picture to explain consumer spending and discuss the key elements that influence consumer spending.
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Skeletal System
Seventh graders explore the functions of the skeletal system. They collaborate in small groups to determine the function of the skeletal system, the types of joints and movement, bone strength and growth, and bone injuries including...
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The Relatives Came
First graders participate in listening to the book, The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. They practice comprehension by making text-to-self- connections while reading. They collaborate with a small group in order to participate in a...
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The Sepoy Revolt of 1857
Students participate in a role-play activity. They examine the factors dividing colonial India. They examine how the British raj contributed to the formation of Indian nationalism.
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Learning About the Basin
Students use watershed maps to explore the Lake Pontchartrain Basin in Louisiana. In this geography lesson, students identify important features such as elevation, vegetation, cultural, historical and land use on a map of Lake...
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Novel Analysis
Students read the novel, Lord of the Flies, then write an essay analyzing the novel. They analyze, in small groups, characters, plot, setting, style, symbolism, theme, critical responses, and historical influences
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Out of This World (Solar System)
Fifth graders, in groups, create a pictorial model of the solar system and place the planets in correct order.
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European Travelers
Seventh graders explore the European travelers and culture. They create a travel brochure that presents a given European culture in an inviting format. Students analyze the cultures of various European countries and select one they would...
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Persistent Drop of Water
Seventh graders investigate the meaning of personal persistence. In this personal persistence lesson, 7th graders fill in a Frayer Method graphic organizer after participating in a discussion of the formation of the Grand Canyon. They...
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River Reading Circle
Students participate in a reading circle as a means of studying river-related poetry. They meet in small groups to discuss provided poems about the Mississippi River and use written or drawn notes
to guide their part of the discussion.
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Who Is Eating Healthy?
Second graders list the six food groups of the food pyramid and give an example for each. They discuss each food group and determine which food goes in each group. They examine the suggested daily servings for each food group and view a...
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Animal Life Span Activity
Students study and compare the life span of farm animals with their own. They research a farm animal, complete a table and answer comparative questions. They work in jigsaw format groups.
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Cloud Watchers
Second graders read "The Cloud Book" by Tomie dePaola to jumpstart their cloud study. They offer examples of liquids, solids, and gases and chart them. They observe the making of a cloud in a demonstration. They discuss and draw...