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Teacher-Astronaut Offers New Lessons
Students read about teacher-in-space Barbara Morgan and life in space. In this space science and current event lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece and participate in a...
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A Long Way Home
Learners examine the difference between hard news and editorial writing by considering several pieces written about the Elian Gonzalez custody battle. They then craft their own hard news and editorials on the case.
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The Power Of Words
Students respond, in writing and in discussions, to statements of various world leaders about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. They keep quotation scrapbooks, responding to various quotations about the...
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The Long and Short of It
Students take a look back at the week's news by exploring the news summaries article offered in The New York Times' Week in Review section each week. They look further into ongoing news stories of interest to them in order to create...
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The Middle Ages Gazette
Seventh graders research and obtain information about topics from the Middle Ages and write news reports that be compiled into a Gazette or newsletter. The reports can be on feudalism, castles, jousts and tournaments and/or the Crusades.
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A Sense of Emptiness in the House That Michael Built
Young scholars investigate different journalistic techniques used to add color and new dimension to fact-based news stories. They write a journal discussing techniques that journalists could use to make Michael Jordan's retirement from...
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Summing Up the Disaster
Students are introduced to news writing being a concise, factual, and informative type of writing. They assess that publishing an article in a newspaper style utilizes a word processing program. Each student researches the Titanic and...
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The East Africa Times
Students work in teams as editors to design the front page of a newspaper covering a country in east Africa. They individually research and write articles that define modern life for the country's citizens.
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The Aftermath of War
Students share their opinions on the war in Iraq. After reading an article, they identify the thoughts of President Bush on the conflict. In groups, they share their opinions for and against current United States policy in Iraq and the...
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Laws and Force in Law Enforcement
Students investigate the issues of police brutality, use of excessive force, and the underlying issues by participating in a round-table discussion. They compare how these issues are explored differently in different types of...
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Textbook Changes in Japan
Students recognize that the Japanese government has made attempts to alter history textbooks to make it look like the military did not play a major role in the mass suicides during the American invasion in 1945. They review vocabulary,...
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Woody Guthrie: Ain't Got No Home
Students examine the music of Woody Guthrie and how the political and economic climate influenced his work. They read and discuss online articles, define key vocabulary words, take a Political Orientation Survey, and write a position...
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High winds hit Oman
Students read a text on a severe storm in Oman. They review vocabulary, practice reading strategies and complete a vocabulary matching exercise. Afterward, they design and write a poster to tell people what to do before, during and after...
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Concern over Assam Rhinos
Students study the illegal hunting of wild animals (rhinos) in India. They read a short news report, review related vocabulary, and complete a vocabulary matching exercise.
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Gatsby and the American Twenties Newspaper
Students research 1920's US History. In this historical literature lesson, students use the novel The Great Gatsby as a tool to examine the era. They work in individually to create newspaper articles based on different...
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Short Story Lesson Plan
Students read and discuss the short story, "The McWilliamses and the Burglar Alarm," by Mark Twain. They assume the role of the main characters in the story and write a humorous letter of complaint using a business letter format. They...
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Economic Market Pain
High schoolers read and discuss article, and write an interpretation of the message for a class newspaper.
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Bikini Anniversary
Students conduct research on the anniversary of the bikini. They read a short news report, explore websites, define key vocabulary words, complete a worksheet, and design, draw, and describe an outfit.
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Walter Cronkite: Witness to History
Students brainstorm a list of news sources. They interview people about today's media and discuss their results. After watching segments of a film about Walter Cronkite, they role play as reporters and subjects from an historic period...
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Languages in a Globalized World
Students explore language changes that may occur in a globalized world. In this language lesson, students read the linked articles about globalization and the protection of languages. Students also examine statistics and conduct further...
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Angling for a Story
Students explore different news angles relating to a local sporting event, then create a detailed treatment of the story prior to reporting it.
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To Drink or Not to Drink?
Second graders compare water conservation issues as they impact the past, present, and future in Nevada. In this water conservation lesson, 2nd graders perform and ice experiment to comprehend water collection differences. Students...
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A Chorus For Us
Learners examine "serious" choral music written for student choirs and the composers who write it. They reflect upon the notion of "serious" music, and examine the trend of concert composers writing pieces for student chorus
Learning to Give
Closing Ceremonies
Promote volunteerism in your art or writing classes. In this service learning instructional activity, middle schoolers create promotional materials that include photographs and newspaper articles based on their personal service...