Realism & Nominalism Lesson Plans

Fourth and fifth graders read an issue of Cobblestone and discuss Americans who have influenced others. For this Great Americans lesson, young scholars read and respond to questions about Abraham Lincoln. They make a black stovepipe hat and put it on their desk when facts about Lincoln are brought up. Other famous Americans in the lesson include: Babe Ruth, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Franklin Roosevelt and Elvis Presley. 

Students examine their own political party affiliations and political beliefs. After reading an article, they discuss how students at Duke define their political philosophies. They brainstorm events, people and experiences that have shaped their own political philosophies and write an essay outlining their philosophy.

Students explore the significance of presidential party conventions. In this election of 2008 lesson, students determine how political parties select their presidential and vice presidential nominees as they research Internet sites and complete handouts.

Seventh graders, Study the lives and works of Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andrew Wyeth; significant American artists. They chose one of the artists to emulate with their own painting.

What can middle schoolers learn about persuasive writing by observing their snacks? This activity and several others introduce the idea of writing a critique in a persuasive writing assignment. The instructional activity consisit of seven parts, which could be broken into several class sessions over a few weeks, as well as an assessment and instructional activity extension.

Students explore the genre of the musical film and its history. They draw conclusions on relationships between a stage musical and a musical film. They share the results of their research as a class.

Learners study specific terms and concepts about the discovery of America. They improve their history knowledge about some Latin American regions and their map and geography skills of the New World. They describe what is meant by Cultural Pluralism.

Seventh graders comprehend characteristics of quality responses for critiquing a literary work and evaluate literary works by producing a written interpretation, critique or reflection based on specific support with references to text.