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The Future of the Social Security System: Will it Accommodate Future Generations of Americans?
Students investigate the future of the U.S. Social Security program. They conduct research, write journal entries, meet and interview a State representative, create a web page with links, and develop a solution for the Social Security...
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Finding Information Within a Newspaper
Fifth graders find information within a newspaper in this activity. They use a question worksheet to locate particular pieces of information. They completely and accurately write the section letters and page numbers in order to answer...
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Adventures along the Oregon Trail in Nebraska
Pupils discover how the land and people we develop relationships with in Nebraska affect our survival--past, present, and future. They write about and interview their grandparents, parents and peers and compare them with people on the...
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Arkansas Black Pioneers: A History of African-American Colonies in Arkansas
Students research regions of early Arkansas as they relate to African American colonies in Arkansas after the Civil War. They discuss the characteristics of the regions, view a Powerpoint presentation, and write reflective journals.
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Lesson: Journey of a Tree
Third graders explore the operation of a Christmas farm and how trees are shipped. After taking a tour of a Christmas tree farm and researching transportation, location and cost issues, 3rd graders create a map to show the distribution...
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The View
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
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Why Be An Independent Learner?
High schoolers discuss why research skills are important to have as a skill in life. As a class, they identify their prior knowledge when it comes to researching a topic and discuss why it is important to be an independent learner. In...
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Nomadic Living
Young scholars describe what it means to be nomadic and the advantages and disadvantages of living this type of lifestyle. After watching a video, they pretend they are nomads and must develop a list of items to take along with them. ...
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Teen Health: Talking with Your Doctor
Learners discuss common health care issues they're facing today. In this health science lesson, students explain the benefit of seeking professional help. They write a journal to keep track of their own health issues.
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Social Studies: What Is Folklife?
Students read an essay about folklife and record their thoughts in journals. After discussing the terms associated with the topic, they complete worksheets on types of folklife, pop, elite, and folk cultures. Depending on the age group,...
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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Students explore the 5 themes of geography. In this cross curriculum literacy and geography instructional activity, students listen to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and make a list of the needs of the people in...
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Endangered Species
Students explore the issue of endangered species. They read a summary sheet and case history handout, complete a summary form, define key vocabulary terms, and participate in a class discussion.
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Show And Tell
Have you ever saved your money to buy something you really wanted? Elementary schoolers share how they saved their money for things they wanted, and they bring in one or two items that they bought with their personal savings.
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Sound
Third graders explore sound. They describe sounds in terms of their properties and explain how sounds are made. Students discuss how various sounds sound to their ears and how sound travels in waves.
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The Ozone Layer
Students examine the issue of ozone depletion. They define key vocabulary terms, take a pre-quiz, discuss the quiz questions and answers, read an article, and answer discussion questions.
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Finding Synonyms
Student identify synonyms in poetry. In this grammar lesson plan, students define what a synonym is and view several examples on the board. Students read a selected poem on an overhead transparency and circle the synonyms.
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Sorrow in Sudan
Students explore the various groups and organizations involved in the Darfur conflict. Through investigative research, students gain insight into this complex issue.
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Chew On This!
Learners develop pamphlets for a dental health mentoring program that educates younger learners about caring for their teeth. They recall experiences at visits to dentists and consider why some students may have poor dental health.
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Reaching Students through Literacy Centers
Continue the celebration of literacy this month by integrating reading centers into the classroom.
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New York City Delights: The Taxi Cab
You set the rate! Step into the shoes of a taxi driver in New York City, and also pretend to be a person who uses taxis to get around town. The class will conduct collaborative research to learn about the history of taxis. Then, they...
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Justice Is Blind, Colorblind That Is
It's so interesting to see kids respond to articles about education. To start the day, prompt learners to discuss the words colorblindness and diversity. Then, split your class in two and have one side read an article from 2007 and the...
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Lost Names: Scenes From a Korean Boyhood,
What a great resource to share! Based on the book Lost Names by Richard Kim, this valuable lesson focuses on the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. Additionally, it employs first-person journaling as a mode of understanding themes...
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Famous Person: Yushiko Uchida
Third, fourth, and fifth graders read the book The Bracelet by Yushiko Uchida and examine the events of Uchida's life. They participate in a guided discussion of Japanese culture, perform a reader's theater, listen to a guest speaker,...
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Cite Your Sites!
The New York Times article “Lessons in Internet Plagiarism,” launches a look at how the Internet has increased the prevalence of plagiarism. The richly detailed lesson includes warm-up and wrap-up activities, discussion questions,...