Smithsonian Institution
Giving Speeches: George Washington's First and Second Inaugural Addresses
Young scholars discuss the purpose of the President of the United States giving an inaugural address. They describe their impressions of any inaugural speaches they have heard or read. Students research events leading up to Washington's...
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Using Graphic Organizers to Generate Genre Definitions
Students listen to or read a variety of stories and then work individually or in groups to complete graphic organizers that will help them focus on elements within different types of stories. They write definitions for a variety of story...
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Eleanor Everywhere
Third graders read a biography on Eleanor Roosevelt. Using the text, they identify and discuss what she did to make a difference in the world. They discover what one person can do to help change the world.
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Phonemic Awareness: Pronunciation of /ng/ Consonants
Learners practice cononant sounds within reading passages. They articulate the /ng/ sounds and identify their placement in words. Working with a partner, they read a passage aloud and listen for correct pronunciation of sounds.
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Good Health Manners
Students review what they know about good manners and create a list of good manners. They read a list of good manners and discuss why they are important. They practice good manners and explain how they will keep the flu away.
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Found Poems
Students summarize articles found in the newspaper and use key concepts to write a poem. In this reading comprehension and writing lesson, students work with a partner to choose a current newspaper article. Key concepts and vocabulary...
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Yes, You Can!
Students examine the concept of encouragement. In this encouragement and character lesson, students participate in an active read aloud of Mary Grace's, Amazing Grace. They draw a picture in their journal of a time that they needed...
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Responsibility and Jobs
Students identify community helpers. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students read Strega Nona and identify different characters' responsibilities in the story. Students use character traits to describe the main characters...
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Sharing is Giving-The Drive
Students identify acts of philanthropy. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the term "hero" and read the book Stone Soup. Students discuss soup kitchens and complete a Venn diagram analyzing the differences between governmental...
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Contrasting Cinderellas
Young scholars compare and contrast the traditional Cinderella to the modern-day fairy tale, Cinder Edna. In this fairy tales lesson, students read both stories and construct a Venn diagram to compare the two fairy tales. Young scholars...
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Create a Folktale
Learners create their own folktale after listening and reading numerous folktales. For this folktale lesson plan, students work together to create a folktale focusing on Hispanic culture.
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Equality
Students examine equality. For this equality lesson, students experience unfairness and inequality through teacher showing favoritism in words and actions. Students read Martin's Big Words and discuss fairness and equality.
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Esperanza Rising: Lesson 3
Sixth graders read parts of the book Esperanza Rising and define vocabulary words connected to it. In this Esperanza Rising lesson plan, 6th graders illustrate words and discuss the sections of the books they read.
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My Secret War: Lesson 7
Fifth graders discuss the cooperation of the civilian population during World War II. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders read My Secret War and complete reflection strips over the reading. Students discuss primary sources.
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Legends and Fables
Fourth graders identify and discuss the differences between legends and fables. They define fable and legend, then as a class take turns reading our books. Students select two of the stories, and complete a Venn diagram, comparing one...
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Just Like The Old Days
Students listen to their teacher read them a story about families. Individually, they make a family chart which shows everyone in their family. They read a letter about a family in Mongolia and compare it with their own. Using the...
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Help Others
Students share the value of helping others through reading and art activities. In this Clifford and the Big Storm lesson plan, students read the story, discuss courage, and create a gallery of heroes.
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Our Global Community
First graders experience literature which shows how communities live around the world. In this global community lesson, 1st graders read books such as Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox and create a work of art based on their feelings about the...
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Making the World A More Beautiful Place: Earth Day
Students study ways to take care of the environment as part of an Earth Day activity. In this environment instructional activity, student listen to a read aloud of Barbara Cooney's, Miss Rumphius, before discussing how she works alone...
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Haiku
Sixth graders study Haiku. In this Haiku lesson, 6th graders explore the history of the poetry form. Students also examine the structure the Japanese poetry as they read examples. Students write their one Haiku.
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Esperanza Rising
Sixth graders explore equality by reading a story with their classmates. In this discrimination lesson, 6th graders read the story Esperanza Rising and discuss the tensions between Latin America and the United States. Students view...
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Introduction to Mendelian Genetics using Fiction
Students investigate Mendelian Genetics by studying the history of Mendel and what it was like to be a 19th century scientist. They read a pieces of fiction during this investigation.
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Looking at Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
Students read about a god, goddess, or hero and compare two images of him or her.
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Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp
High schoolers read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these...