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Outlining Main Ideas and Details
Begin at the end. Present your class with an expository essay and ask them to create an outline of the article, paying particular attention to the main ideas and the details supporting these ideas. After a discussion of what they have...
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ESL: Punctuating Titles
When are titles underlined, italicized, or placed in quotation marks? Take your class to the computer lab to give them some independent practice. Here they read through the information, examples, and explanations provided. They then...
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Author's Purpose
A simple activity for young readers, this introduces the idea of author purpose. Learners analyze various types of texts (newspaper articles, magazines, books, advertisements, etc.) and determine if the author's purpose for writing was...
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Security Guards: Are They Needed?
Students discuss the need for some school districts in their area to hire security guards. Using the internet, they identify the severity of the problem in the other districts and discuss what else could be done to make schools safer....
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Adopted Dog Goes Home
Students examine the pet victims of Hurricane Katrina. After reading a story about one dog who was misplaced, they write about the situation and their reactions to it. They share their reactions to the class and discuss other possible...
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The Pledge of News
Students explore the fundamentals of news-gathering, the etiquette of reporting, and the rights a news writer/reporter has. They review the parts of a news story and write an article discussing their beliefs about the Pledge iof Allegiance.
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Body Shields: Peaceful Protesters or Iraqi Pawn?
Students research human shields, mostly European peace activists who stand against war. They guard civilian sites to prevent attack on schools, hospitals, etc. Student research is to include articles by those who support the war as well...
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New York State English Language Arts Test" Listening Selection Grade 7
An article about Dr. Robert Metcalf's work to create solar cookers is the subject of an article used in 2010 on the New York State listening exam. Although no questions are included, the passage is ideal for such an exam and questions...
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Word Meanings From Context
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read 4 paragraphs and answer the word definition questions that go along with each reading.
San Bernardino Co. Supt. of Schools
Was Julius Caesar a Good Leader for Rome?
Learners consider the various perspectives that different groups in Roman society may have had for Julius Caesar, such as Roman soldiers, senators, the working class, and slaves. The primary activity involves a reading of Caesar's...
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New York State Testing Program: English Language Arts Listening Test Selection Grade 7
Although labeled as a listening test, no questions accompany Jim Davis’ "Flight of Fancy," a short essay in which he describes how he came to be a cartoonist and the creator of Garfield. However, the article is interesting and crafting...
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Famous Britons
Students read three short texts which give clues to the identities of three famous Britons. The texts explore the fame of the three personalities and the growing interest in celebrities in modern British life. Students participate in a...
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Cancer Banner Art Installation
Young scholars complete a service learning project to raise money for Relay for Life. In this service learning lesson, students discuss installation art and watch a video about Pepon Osorio. Young scholars review articles about service...
Illustrative Mathematics
Sarah, the chimpanzee
Is Sarah, the chimpanzee, smart or just a lucky guesser? Here, learners set up a simulation and read a dotplot to find out the likelihood of getting 7 out of 8 questions correct. One suggested modification would be to have your class...
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Breaking the Barrier
Learners participate in a game based on bullying. In this social justice instructional activity, students read Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and discuss the mistreatment of African-Americans in the book. Learners then relate the...
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Summing Up SuperCroc
Students read an article in a magazine about crocodiles silently, remembering not to make a sound, and trying hard to understand what the author is trying to tell them. They then write down some important facts they have read on a piece...
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Electronic Media
Students compare forms of electronic media. They watch a news broadcast and take notes on the content being conveyed. After viewing the broadcast, they read newspaper articles or news magazines to locate articles with similar content to...
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Meet the Eastern Flock: Hatch Year 2002
Students read nonfiction books and magazine articles about whooping cranes.
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Evaluating Material By Using Quotations
Twelfth graders examine how to evaluate reading material by using direct quotations. They read a Newsweek magazine article, answer questions, underline the passage that supports their written response, and write a letter to a senator...
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Tobacco Addiction and Secondhand Smoke
Learners brainstorm why tobacco is addicting. In this health science lesson, students discuss the harmful effects of smoking. They read an article and complete a worksheet at the end of the lesson.
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Bigger Than Life
Eighth graders explore the life of Jackie Robinson. In this American History lesson, students examine different examples of courage. Students read an article about Jackie Robinson.
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Diego Rivera
Students participate in activities in which they gather information on Diego Rivera. Using the internet, they examine and discuss his famous murals. They read an article on his life, circle words they do not know and complete worksheet...
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Getting Real: Using Real Life Materials
Students examine many different types of real-life materials such as menus or newspaper articles. They practice filling out job applications or ordering at a sitdown restaurant.
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Case in Point
Students read about and discuss the re-opening of the Emmett Till murder case. They research and write about a famous civil rights trial and create a poster highlighting the importance of the trial.