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I Hear Poetry
Young scholars practice analysis of poetry by analyzing song lyrics using a worksheet to guide the analysis process. They work in small groups to assess the stylistic and literary devices used in the song lyrics then they find a...
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Shakespeare Lesson Plan
High schoolers discuss Shakespeare's background and their initial opinions and perceptions of him. In groups, they are assigned a topic to research and to relate one of Shakespeare's plays to the topic. They present a summary of the...
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Creative Problem Solving: Using the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
Third graders assimilate the use of the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why) when solving problems that are presented in literature and in real life situations. They use common fairy tales to solve problems that might arise at home or...
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Investigating Othello: Peeling Away Layers of Meaning
Students analyze piece of literature by looking at it from one perspective and then by re-evaluating what they have discovered when other layers of meaning are added.
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What is Matter?
Sixth graders are read Goodnight Moon. They discuss the different kinds of
matter mentioned in the story. Students describe each item
they remember, they are encouraged to observe that some things are
made of smaller pieces, different...
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Producing Heat
Students listen to "Heat Wave" by Helen Ketterman and discuss the story by creating a word web with heat as the main topic. They break into groups and conduct an experiment using a thermometer to record the temperature of melting ice...
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iChat Debate: Does Holden Caulfied Deserve Our Compassion?
Students prepare for and hold a classroom debate via typed text on a literary topic. Two groups conduct an iChat debate using iChat AV software to document the debate as it happens. Pupils conduct a post-debate analysis of the debate...
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Respecting Others
Students discuss the meaning of the words respect and disrespect and record examples of respectful things that others do. They work cooperatively in groups to achieve a goal of a popcorn party.
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Dear Abby: A Direct and Indirect Characterization Lesson Plan
Students practice identifying and creating examples of characterization based on comprehension. They assess direct and indirect characterization and use conflict in a plot to generate a piece of writing. Each student selects accurate...
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Does It Looks All Right to Me?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson plan, students examine the accomplishments of Civil Rights leaders' as works of philanthropy. Students read literature regarding diversity and study the Selma...
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Giving Cheer
Students explore kind behavior. In this values development and literacy lesson, students listen to The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, then generate a class list of ways the tree helped the boy and ways in which the boy helped the tree....
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My Secret War: Lesson 12
Fifth graders explore how the war affected American children. For this social studies lesson, 5th graders discuss how quotes made people feel about the war effort. Students write reflections on their reading.
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Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
Dramatic activities promote enjoyment of literature, increase reading comprehension, and help develop oral expression. It is important for children to engage in activities which help to develop their creative potential. Drama allows...
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Star Art
Students study about stars, constellations, and myths that accompany them. Then they create their own constellation using black paper and toothpicks and write a myth about their constellation. Their constellation can be viewed on an...
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An Explication of Death
Fourth graders, in groups, analyze portions of William Cullen Bryant's poem, "Thanatopsis." They present their analysis to the class and discuss the meaning of the poem as a whole. They also identify the poetic elements present in the...
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Go Native!
Students explore the five Native American regions. They compare and contrast the dwellings, clothing, and tools of the Native American groups. Students research one group of Native Americans. They build totem poles, pueblos, weave...
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Language Arts: What Is a Family?
Students discuss the attributes of a successful family after listening to the poem,"What Is a Family?" After sharing information about their own families, students work in groups to act out scenes from books that were previously read...
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Macbeth Madness
Students analyze Shakespeare's Macbeth by completing the creative activities. In this Macbeth lesson, students discuss the timeline for William Shakespeare and identify the characters for Macbeth. Students read Act One, Scenes i-v of...
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Robert Munsch: Author Study
Students study Robert Munsch's style of writing. In this literature lesson, students read many of Robert Munsch's books, write a list of the characteristics found in his books, and write or orally tell a story using...
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Chaucer
Students discuss characterization in "The Canterbury Tales". They examine professions that could be held by a travelers. They write a script for a new person on the trip. They may also write a poetic version for the script.
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African-American Autobiography for the Middle School Student
Young scholars are introduced to the characteristics of an autobiography. For each author, they research their life and works and discuss why it reflects different time periods of African-Americans. In groups, they brainstorm...
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Using Southeast Asian Folktales to Teach Reading and Writing
Students use maps to locate the countries of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. In groups, they compare and contrast the three countries in regard to their culture, morals and values. They read various examples of folktales and write their...
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Novel Study Unit of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Ninth graders will speak and listen to explore, clarify, extend, and reflect on their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences. They will be able to communicate information and ideas effectively and clearly, and to respond personally...
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Fate vs. Mind: A Macedonian Folk Tale
Students examine the work of Carla Bachechi as a Peace Corp volunteer in Macedonia. Individually, they read various folktales from the country and break into groups to discuss how it is different than a novel. To end the instructional...