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Identify Author's Purpose
In this author's purpose worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer, writing clues that help determine author's purpose in an essay: explain, express feelings, persuade or entertain.
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Living History - Civil War
Eighth graders, after researching antebellum North Carolina and the role of North Carolina in the Civil War, write, edit, publish, and produce their own plays.
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Fictional Biographies
Students read and discuss the fictional biography, "Strega Nona: Her Own Story" by Tomie dePaola. They compare the characters of the story to other fictional characters then choose their own favorite fictional character to write a...
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A Day in the Park
Fourth graders brainstorm a list of criteria for a quality recreation center. They draft a written proposal the center they plan to design. They write to persuade a land developer to hire their company.
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Why We Communicate
Students identify the three common reasons for communication: information, persuasion, and entertainment. They create media messages for different purposes and develop a purpose of message shapes and how it helps shape the message.
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MFL: Young Drivers
Young scholars examine and discuss images from road safety programs. In groups, they role-play a scenerio in which they are trying to persuade the other to adopt an unsafe driving practice. They write a short article about their...
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Genetic Engineering
Learners will apply their knowledge acquired from two guest speakers to writing a three hundred-word essay on either the pros or cons of genetic engineering. They will try to persuade the reader of their essays to agree with their stance...
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Let Me Convince You
Students discuss the purposes of persuasive speaking and writing with emphasis upon what makes them different from other kinds. They brainstorm and discuss ways to select "The Greatest American Who Ever Lived" and prepare a persuasive...
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Black and Blue
Young scholars create print advertisements that persuade viewers to visit African-American history museums by detailing their artistic, cultural, and historical benefits.
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State of Arkansas Travel Brochure
Eighth graders design a travel brochure to persuade others to visit Arkansas. They depict particular points of interest they decide are the best in the state.
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How Advertising Works
Fifth graders are shown how advertisers use persuasive language and imagery to con us. They use this knowledge to question advertisers notions to persuade us one way or another. Students create a new jingle for an advertisement for...
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John Wanamaker and his "New Kind of Store"
High schoolers study John Wanamaker's department store and its attractions to 19th century consumers. In this Civil War instructional activity high schoolers compare the different styles of shopping pre department stores and evaluate...
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Autobiography
Sixth graders read and write autobiographical sketches, determine the author's purpose in writing, and type paragraphs using WP utilities.
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You Can Do It, Mr. And Mrs. Mallard!
Young scholars watch the video "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert Mc Closkey. They write letters to Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and make a map for the mallards. They talk about the importance of animal habitats.
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Researching Stocks on New York Stock Exchange
Sixth graders research to find background information and stock history over the last year about a company listed on the NYSE. They evaluate whether or not they should "invest" in that company. They write a persuasive essay outlining...
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Stewardship Letter
Students write a persuasive letter. In this stewardship lesson, students discover the basic format for a formal letter and some effective persuasive techniques. Students write a letter to bring about change in the way humans interact...
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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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Flat Stanley Letter
Fourth graders write a letter requesting that the recipient assist the student in his/her Flat Stanley project.
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Lyddie
Seventh graders read the novel, Lyddie, while studying the reform movement. They complete assignments for each chapter and write essays about Lyddie's development through the novel.
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Farewell to the Former Library Media Specialist
Students write a letter to their former library media specialist incorporating brainstormed ideas of what they have liked about the library media center. In this way students let the teacher know about what has been done in the past and...
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Shakespeare Character Analysis Using "Twelfth Night"
Eighth graders complete a six-week unit on character analysis for the play "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. They conduct research and write a report, participate in a book talk, and create a character analysis assignment to...
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Music to My Ears - Figures of Speech and Stylistic Devices
Students know the meaning of a given list of figures of speech and stylistic devices. They identify examples of these terms in the music and songs with which they are familiar. They examine how to apply the knowledge of these terms to...
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Which Car Will Mom Approve?
Eighth graders write a comparison/contrast essay to determine which of two cars should be purchased from the parents' perspective.
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A Long Time Ago in the Future
Students read and discuss Canadian young adult literature. They compare/contrast the elements of citizenship, characterization, and themes, write journal responses, and identify the elements that define Canadians.