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Choosing a Family Dog
Fourth graders research types of dogs and recommend one that would make the best family pet. They work in cooperative groups of three using Kidspiration to map out the essential question before beginning their research, write reports,...
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Preparing to Speak
Students articulate what elements must be present in a successful, persuasive speech by composing a "presentation plan." They explain what they know about speech delivery in preparation for the presentation of their final projects.
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What's The Big Deal?
Fifth graders examine the role of the Gutenberg press and its effect on society. Using this information, they write a persuasive paper discussing which form of copying is easier to mass produce. They share their opinions with the class...
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Research Activity for the Legal Brief
Students use extensive information about previous cases with related themes and depositions on the Street Law web site to gather information that will be used to write an effective appeals brief for whichever party in the case their...
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Heroes and Heroines of the Underground Railroad System (UGRR)
Fourth graders choose one leader, either Tubman or Coffin, and write a persuasive summary paragraph that explains why the leader displays the character traits of a hero/heroine in the UGRR
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50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Students examine the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended segregation. They role play to re-enact the case and discuss why it was important. They discover its impact on public education.
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The Pros and Cons of Dams
Learners investigate the use of dams on rivers in order to manage water uses in particular the Flathead River and Lake. They make presentations about dam management and write a persuasive paper on the issue. If possible they visit the...
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Fatah Vs. Hamas: Continued Strife In The Gaza Region
Students investigate the conflict between Hamas and Fatah while focusing on the Gaza region in the Middle East. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The participate in a discussion using the information found. Then...
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The Reformation, Golden Age and English Revolution
Fifth graders create outlines and take notes on lectures that present the Reformation, England's Golden Age and the English Revolution. They use these outlines to create filmstrips and write an essay arguing which of these periods was...
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Rainforest Problem
Third graders use a hypothetical story in order to create a context for the instructional activity. The story presents a problem that needs to be solved. They write a letter to a government official as part of the instructional activity.
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Follow a Bill!
Students participate in an activity to discover how a bill becomes law in California. In groups, they create a school program based on their own ideas for change. They develop and conduct a survey within their community and present their...
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Moon WebQuest
Third graders research basic information about the moon and identify the phases and order of the phases of the moon. They conduct Internet research, complete a moon WebQuest, and write a magazine article about the moon using their...
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Seeing the Forests for the Trees
Learners explore changing logging practices in the Congo Republic and research the many roles of tropical forests as a natural resource. To synthesize their understanding, students write letters to loggers in Africa, urging them to adopt...
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Student Book Reviews/ The Outsiders
Eighth graders participate in a lesson that focuses on the devleopment of reading skills looking for critical elements. They compose a book review for "The Outsiders" after reading previous reviews. Students also access the web in order...
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Ways We Use Water
Fourth graders write a persuasive paper after a demonstration about the properties of water and how they work. The lesson also uses a mind map to outline the paper.
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Saving Hawaii
Students engage in a lesson about the a proposal for a sanctuary in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. They write a letter to the President of The United States in opposition to the proposal based upon classroom activities and research.
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Fluoride in Durango's Water-Helpful or Harmful?
Third graders complete several activities in their quest to find out about the addition of fluoride to city water. First, they create a guide sheet to help organize notes. The next two steps involve taking notes through guided practice....
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Understanding Treaties: Students Explore the Lives of Yakama People Before and After Treaties
Students examine the impact of treaties on the Yakama nation. They discover the importance of land and how they felt when their land was taken away. They role-play the positions of both the Yakama and citizens of the United States.
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Intervention Design and Final Report
Young scholars engage in series of studies having to do with the Ambient Air Module. They create a presentation to recommend a solution for the asthma problem experienced by students at school. The rubric is found at the end of the...
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Diverse Voices-African American Ventures
Students research African-American participation in the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students read the article "Fighting Rebels with Only One Hand" and write a persuasive paragraph on whether the participation of the...
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Tobacco in North Carolina
Fourth graders examine the depiction of North Carolina tobacco farms in several photographs. They work in small groups to prepare an argument for a class debate and create promotional signs to advertise their point of view about tobacco...
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The Final Analysis: Cause and Effect, Fact and Opinion
Middle schoolers read and review informational texts, analyze cause and effect, and distinguish fact from opinion. They assess a "one-minute mystery" you read aloud for cause and effect relationships. Resource includes complete set of...
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Comparing/Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life
Students compare and contrast the lives of African Americans who moved North vs. those who stayed in the South during the era of Jim Crow Laws.
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Energy Sources
Learners identify natural resources and describe the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources. They also identify the disadvantages and advantages of the resources.