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So Much Depends Upon...Sixteen-Word Imagery Poems Inspired by Love that Dog by Sharon Creech
After reading Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (and possibly shedding a few tears), middle schoolers work on their own sixteen-word poems with a Six Trait writing activity. They focus on word choice in this activity to capture an...
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Kids Making News
Fifth graders correspond with one another regarding interesting global topics. They swap interview questions and collaborate in the publishing of an online newspaper. This should be a highly motivating lesson which get kids writing!
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Understanding the Complexities of Setting with Where the Lilies Bloom
After reading Where the Lilies Bloom and researching the wildflowers and herbs mentioned in the novel, class members create a mural that reflects the setting of the novel. Groups design the background, the houses of the characters, the...
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Understanding Dialect as Used by Mark Twain
A reading of Mark Twain’s The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County not only offers pupils an opportunity to practice their listening skills but also provides them with examples of dialectic speech. This is the gol’derndest lesson...
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Current Events
Learners explore different countries, their locations, and their cultures. Using an encyclopedia, they locate the information, then write a report. Ultimately, they create a paper doll to represent their chosen country.
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Experiencing "Romeo and Juliet"
Ninth graders read and analyze the William Shakespeare play "Romeo and Juliet" and compare it to the 1996 modern version of the play and the movie "West Side Story." They write an essay comparing and contrasting the three versions.
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Lesson: Mathias Poledna: Crystal Palace
Film analysis takes critical thinking, connections, and context. Upper graders look at the film installation, Crystal Palace in terms of the film makers choices, presentation, and perspective of truth. After an analytical discussion...
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5th Grade Health Newsletter
Fifth graders choose health related topics of interest to them, research the topics employing a variety of resources, and then produce a newsletter using the technology available to them. The topics selected are also part of the 5th...
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Exploring Adlai E. Stevenson II
Fifth graders research work to research six areas in the life of Adlai E. Stevenson II: His Early life, Governor of Illinois, Campaigns for president, Ambassador to the UN, famous quotes, later years. They create a supply of notecards...
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I Am Special and You Are Special Too #6
We are All Alike…We Are All Different is the springboard for the creation of an illustrated book in which young writers record their impression of themselves, their families, and their interests. Sharing the completed books in circle...
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Talking Book Author Project
Pupils explore fiction, non-fiction, and autobiographies. They create their own stories using one of the categories. Students create a PowerPoint presentation to tell their story.
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QuickTime Science Project
Fifth graders divide into teams and select a simple science topic to explain and illustrate. They should pick a topic that they can illustrate with a very short (about 15-20 seconds) video clip, or QuickTime movie.
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Art Exposes
Young scholars view examples of art forms of specific artists. They choose one artist from the country they are studying and present information along with a slide show. Studenys create their own work of art in the style of their chosen...
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The Butterfly Project: Study and Response to Children's Poetry
Eleventh graders read various examples of poems of the humans behind the Holocaust and who perished during the event. Focusing on the number of children who died, they collect butterflies for the Holocaust Museum in Houston. They view...
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World War Ii - Holocaust Oral History Project
Seventh graders conduct an interview with someone who lived through World War II. They watch a video of an interview, develop a list of interview questions, record their interview, and write and publish a summary and transcript of their...
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Christmas Carol Project
Eighth graders create a researched presentation comparing and contrasting holiday celebrations from the period surrounding Charles' Dickens 'A Christmas Carol.' In this Christmas celebrations lesson, 8th graders discuss differences...
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My Safe School
Students discuss what they can do to protect their school and make it safer for everyone to attend. They suggest ideas and try to implement them. They report back to the class after four weeks.
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Food and Languages of the World
Students explore and notice how foods from different countries of the world are alike and different. In this food and languages of the world instructional activity, students examine fruit and bread from a variety of countries...
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Foods and Languages of the World
Students create their own ice cream sundae given various toppings from around the world. In this foods and languages of the world diversity lesson, students develop an understanding of diversity in culture, family structure, ability and...
SMART Project
Shop with Us at Whelan School
Third graders use their math and research skills to create and manage a classroom/school store. They use a computer to manage, organize and access information. They practice pricing products, computing sales, counting money and...
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Recognizing and Combating Segregation in U.S. Schools Today
Learners explore the prevalence of racism and statistical segregation in America's schools. They design a project to investigate how the racial makeup of their school compares to other schools. In addition, they evaluate their design...
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Art History and Technique
Students conduct research, using a variety of resources, about their favorite painter and painting. They critique the famous painters work and write a multimedia presentation that showcases his/her work. They paint an original work of...
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Wish You Were Here! - Collaborative Literacy Project
Students explore videos, software and print resources to investigate the concept of community. Students write poems about their town and illustrate them for a collaborative literacy project.
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Wahta (Maple) Project
Students increase their knowledge base of the maple syrup process and increase their skills of organization, technology, research, teamwork-cooperation, and oral presentation. Students use a team approach to choose a topic pertaining to...