National First Ladies' Library
Anarchists
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...
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Animating a Historic Event
Research a historic event using textbooks, primary source documents, the Internet, and other library and media resources. Young historians will take the research they have gathered and write an attention-grabbing, historically accurate...
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Who is George Washington Carver, Anyway?
Students read about George Washington Carver, then work in small groups to design, write and illustrate a booklet about his accomplishments.
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Rosa Parks Refused to Do What?
First graders listen to two books about Rosa Parks. They contribute factual information for a web. They listen to an interview with Rosa Parks on the internet, adding more information to the web. They write and illustrate a book using...
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Action, Please!
Students create an advertising campaign. In this environmental education lesson, students research aluminum and aluminum can recycling. Students wrap the lesson up by writing newspaper articles, creating public service announcements, and...
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Into the Wild: Settling the South Carolina Backcountry
Eighth graders select their own plot of land in the Backcountry to settle in the 1700s in SC. Students first find a point for settlement and sketch out the best route from the Lowcountry to arrive at the point. They...
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Making Your Own Master Calendar
Ninth graders discuss time demands such as homework, family, and chores that occupy their free time. They discuss how to effectively manage their time. They write important information and activities on a calendar. They develop and...
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Chameleons Are Cool!
Have your learners review what they know about camouflage using this lesson. Learners fill out a graphic organizer listing what they know or have questions about. This could be enhanced with the addition of a writing assignment in which...
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Analyzing My Path to Success
Seventh graders review their graphs from the previous lesson about trends. Individually, they identify their personal strengths and weaknesses when it comes to being successful. To end the lesson, they use this information to write a...
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Career Resources
Tenth graders explore options and resources available to further develop personal education plans for life-long learning. They listen to a speaker from a local vocational or technical institute. They ask questions of the speaker...
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Life...Bring It On!
Eighth graders write their name however they see fit on a poster board. Individually, they write down their strengths that relate to them making important decisions around their name. To end the lesson plan, they use magazines to find...
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Legends of the Fifth
Students explore the the legends and myths of the Orient, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas in this six lessons unit. Different cultures and belief systems of the inhabitants of these areas are examined through storytelling techniques.
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Growth of a Nation: Trading Cards
Young scholars research and write about events and people that have contributed to the development of Canada. They develop their paragraphing skills and create a package of 10 Canadian History Trading Cards.
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Posters -- What's the Main Idea?
Students discuss the basics of poster productions. In groups, they follow written directions to make a poster about asthma, allergies, AIDS, or personal safety. They present their poster to the class and reflect on the process in a journal.
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Gingerbread/Candy Houses
Students compare and contrast different versions of "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Gingerbread Boy". Using a software program, they color a gingerbread house design of their choice. Based on the house, they write thier own story making...
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Poem Collage
Seventh graders read a descriptive language poem and then create a collage of what they feel the poem means to them. In this poems lesson plan, 7th graders take notes on the poem, and make the collage in groups.
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Haunted House
Young scholars are read the story "That Terrible Halloween Night". Using their senses, they describe what it is like going into a haunted house for the first time. They write their own ending to the story and share it with the class to...
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Houdini Report
Students write a biography after thy have found facts from the Houdini website. They complete a report using the organizational trait. Students use the internet to complete their fact sheets on Houdini. They discuss organization and...
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Day of the Dead
Students study the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead. They view a video and research questions on the Internet. They synthesize the information from the websites and the topic for their RAFT writing assignment. They write their...
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American Revolution (And What if There Had Not Been One?)
Eighth graders create scenes that might have existed if the American Revolution had not taken place. They use information they have gathered to plan, produce, and present a variety of products from the perspective of a British citizen in...
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A Water Droplet's Experience in the Hydrologic Cycle
Young scholars write a story from the perspective of a water droplet on a journey through the water cycle. They use the 6+1 Traits writing method to focus on voice in the writing as they create characters that their water droplet has...
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Photosynthesis
Fourth graders discuss and identify the components of photosynthesis and the products of this process. They participate in a class discussion about the importance of oxygen, and in small groups act out the process of photosynthesis. ...
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Fifties/Sixties Musical Playwriting Workshop
Pupils write a coherent script based on characterization, theme, conflict and emotional tone as found in the songs' lyrics and develop an understanding of the enjoyment that comes through discipline and hard work leading toward a...
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Butterfly Life Cycle
Students describe and state the four stages of the life cycle of a butterfly. In this life cycle lesson plan, students copy words and pictures from the life cycle and then identify each stage.