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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is That Legal? A Case of Acid Rain

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Develop an environmental case study! Elementary learners discover how a case study is used as an analysis tool. The goal of this activity is to show pupils how techniques of persuasion (including background, supporting evidence,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Language: Has the Cat Got Your Tongue?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Use funny tongue twisters to entice your young learners! They'll love this game where they   face off against members of the other team and recite tongue twisters. Who will win this enunciation and pronunciation competition! 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Egypt

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Pupils complete a series of activities to discover life in ancient Egypt. They create want ads for pyramid workers, design vocabulary flash cards and dictionaries, and research famous Egyptians. They also research the "Curse of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Write a Harry Potter Script

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Examine the technique of writing a script and complete a worksheet in which young writers summarize a favorite chapter in a Harry Potter book. They practice public speaking by acting out the summarization scenes for classmates. Handouts...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasive Speech Assignment

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Practice using concrete evidence from various sources to back up an argument. The lesson emphasizes the use of support in a persuasive speech, as well as the importance of appealing to an audience's logic and emotions. You could modify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Delivering a Persuasive Speech

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students demonstrate the appropriate classroom public speaking and listening skills that would be necessary to influence or change someone's mind or way of thinking about a topic. They define the elements of persuasion and recognize the...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
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Lesson Plan
Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Performing Arts

For Teachers 4th - 6th
The classical arts have made a lasting impact on our society and your advanced learners get to find out why. The activity starts as the children create a list of the arts found in society, they discuss how these art forms impact their...
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Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

If Men Were Angels: Teaching the Constitution With the Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genre Study - Grade Three

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn to identify different types of literature genres. In this genre instructional activity, 3rd graders complete pre and post- assessment, conduct a genre research activity, and complete the associated worksheets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding My Voice

For Teachers 5th
Have your class learn the essentials of public speaking. They compose a speech for their fifth grade celebration using iPods and presentation software. This would be a great end of the year activity for any grade level.
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Lesson Plan
Sacramento State Masters of Educational Technology

Tuck Everlasting: Debate Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Use Tuck Everlasting as a springboard for a debate on big ideas about immortality and the death penalty. Take a week for research and debate by following the steps outlined in this plan. Tapping into technology for help, small groups...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Noteworthy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Why do we have CliffsNotes? SparkNotes? Middle and high schoolers examine arguments for and against the recent influx of book notes, or study guides. They stage a debate in which they represent Advocates For or Critics Against the use of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"One-Minute Monologue" Builds Communication Skills

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Get everyone talking! It's rare that a lesson can potentially span from third to twelfth grade, but this one really can! Get two paper bags. Fill one with the names of each learner, and fill the other with random topics you brainstorm....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forensic Colloquium Experience: Debating the Issues

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils prepare for an participate in a debate. They watch instructional videos on how debates proceed. Pupils work in teams to research various topics, present their opinions on the issue, and respond to opposing viewpoints during a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does My Vote Count? Teaching the Electoral College

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend the purpose, function, origin, and historical development of the electoral college. They evaluate issues of fairness and representation in the electoral process, both individually and through group discussion....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Search Of Wisdom: An Interview With An Elder

For Teachers 6th - 12th
The key to writing a good narrative is having good material to work with; and the key to getting good material is asking good questions. Working in groups, class members brainstorm questions that might result in the most interesting...
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Lesson Plan
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Population Connection

Meeting Human Needs

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
How to meet the needs of people around the globe—a question many ask. The fifth in a six-part series about human population and its effects on the globe, the eye-opening lesson includes discussion, a homework activity, and an in-class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classroom Capers: Creating a Magazine

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders build language skills in the context of creating a classroom magzine. They participate in activities which help students communitcate ideas and information for a variety of purposes and for specific audiences using the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Express Yourself

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Youngsters practice retelling a part of their favorite Native American tale to a small group of their peers. Peer partners assess each others performances. To keep comments positive and constructive, consider giving your class sentence...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytelling in the Classroom

For Teachers K - 2nd
What makes story telling special? Young readers demonstrate how to tell a story to others. Kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders read biographies of "Building Blocks" characters and tell a story about a character to their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stand!

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Here is a four-corner debate-style activity specifically geared to election year issues. Learners group themselves according to whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with statements that relate to elections...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Do You Stand?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Scholars assess a government's ability to intervene in personal health decisions. They research basic facts about euthanasia and describe their opinions about new legislation passed in the United States Congress about an individual's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Papyrus to PDA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What a great project. Graphic arts students consider the social, political, and economic impact made by a chosen invention. They build an argument to substantiate their reasons for choosing said invention. They create an oral...