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Nature’s Fury—Myths and Drama
Fifth graders explore the elements of theatre. In this dramatic performances lesson, 5th graders discuss the structural elements of theatre and dramatize "The Origins of the Season," an explanation myth.
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The Big Buck Adventure: Part 2
Students go on a pretend shopping spree. In this money lesson, students complete a Shopping Spree activity sheet where they pretend they have won $100 and can spend it on a fake shopping spree. Students use the Internet to shop and...
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Literature Study Contracts
Students complete activities with a leveled chapter book. In this literature lesson, students read a novel and complete several graphic organizers and activities as they read. They focus on characters, settings, vocabulary, and plot.
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Wars and Conflicts
Students explore the concepts of war and conflict. In this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print sources to research the causes, effects, main events, and significant figures of selected wars.
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Exploring Explorers
Students research a selected explorer and teach their small group about their explorer during a jigsaw activity. Independently they write a letter as if they were on a voyage with their explorer, and create a world map that includes the...
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Happy Endings: The Final Battle
Fifth graders explore all the myths of the battle of Yorktown. A variety of primary documents are viewed and analyzed for discussion. They become aware that what one sees and hears is not always as it seems in reality. Each group...
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Literature: Mapping the Mockingbird
Students read Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, focusing on setting. They list items that create mental images of the novel's setting along with location references to characters and events. Using posterboard, they construct physical...
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Lesson 1-I Live in a Community
Second graders brainstorm the concept of a community and all the elements involved in the make up of one. They pull from the resources on the community that they already live in or have lived in. In addition, they share their reflections...
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Lesson 1: The Image of Maine in Sinclair Lewis' Babbitt
Pupils study excerpts from Sinclair Lewis, "Babbitt" for its accuracy and socio-economic point of view. They rewrite a portion of "Babbit" using the point of view of a Maine guide.
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A Fish Story
Young scholars closely examine and analyze an American tall tale. They find the key features of a tall tale and compose a tall tale of their own. Student groups write, edit and present their tales to the class.
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Lesson 3: Lobster Roll!
Students play a game that illustrates the delicate ecological balance between fishing, fishing regulations and fish populations. They collect data and analyze the results.
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Lesson 2: Maine's Merchant Marines
Students simulate the quarters aboard a ship. They write a letter to Joanna Colcord or Alice Drinkwater that shows an understanding of the experience of being aboard ship, and asks further historical questions about the experience.
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Fall
Pupils read "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" then they brainstorm words about fall that begin with the letters F, A, and L. They compose and decorate their own acrostic poem then they write a Fall story and complete a final copy in the computer lab.
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Pickles to Pittsburgh
Third graders explore the geography in the book "Pickles to Pittsburgh" by Judy Barrett. They read the story and identify the physical features of the town, discuss the elements included on a map, and create a map of the town of...
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Guide Me "Home"
Students find how freedom quilts helped free slaves. In this American History lesson, students read the story Sweet Clara and The Freedom Quilt and discuss the Underground Railroad. They use their map skills to locate places that...
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Country Mouse, City Mouse?
Students recognize the characteristics of a rural area. They analyze land use to determine whether the map is of a rural (country) area or an urban (city) area.
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Volcanoes
Second graders review the characteristics and aspects of volcanoes. Using this information, they write a creative story and draw illustrations to accompany the words. They use geographical terms to describe a location and the physical...
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Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Students analyze the story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain geographically, and explain the term climate and discuss its relevance in the story as well as to their own lives.
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Most Wanted Villians
Students review the characteristics of various characters in fairytales. As a class, they review the story details and create a concept map using a software program. They create their own wanted poster of the villians in the fairytale to...
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A Birthday Basket for Tia
Students practice reading and math skills using technology. In this main idea instructional activity, students retell the important events of A Birthday for Tia in sequence using Kid Pix. Students create a bar graph using The Graph...
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Metis
Fourth graders examine the Metis culture. In this Metis living lesson, 4th graders read Things I did Last Summer by Martin Shulman and discuss the life of the main character, Bonnie. Students recreate their favorite scenes of the story...
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Teaching the Five Themes of Geography Through Picture Books
Read the story Make Way for Ducklings and introduce little ones to the five themes of geography. Reread the story, while displaying transparencies to reinforce the five themes. In groups, learners view pictures and identify the themes on...
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The Muskogees
Second graders read a story from their textbook about the Muskogee (Creek) Native American Indian tribe. They discuss various aspects of Native American culture--specifically that of the Muskogee tribe. They explore online resources,...
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Hole Mole
Second graders read the book Hole Mole and complete activities that teach them about Mexican culture. In this Holy Mole lesson plan, 2nd graders complete cooking, drawing, writing, and other activities.