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Poet James Whitcomb Riley: Famous in His Own Day
An engaging biography of "Hoosier" poet James Whitcomb Riley serves as a springboard for study of his unique dialect-based verse. Several activities illuminate differences between spoken vernacular and formal language. Learners record...
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Studying Mind Maps Created at Other Schools
Middle schoolers explore Africa and mind maps created by students from other schools. They discuss Africa and the number of countries, diversity of language, cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles and in groups study a mind map from...
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Introducing Grammar: Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation
Focusing on correct grammar usasge as well as the concept of language evolution, this conventions lesson prompts middle and high schoolers to examine the structure of sentences and word classes (parts of speech). Use the three activites...
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Getting the Whole Class Talking
Have your young readers engage in activities to stimulate group discussions. They question one another using jigsaw puzzle pieces and interview each other to find five things they have in common. They create a biography of a famous...
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Pancakes, Pancakes (Elementary, Science)
Read Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomi De Paola then participate in different activities which practice skills such as English language development, using non-standard measurement, fine motor skills, dramatic play, and using our five senses.
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Reading Comprehension
Using either online worksheets or print outs, 12th graders practice expository text comprehension skills by answering multiple choice questions, completing a vocabulary matching activity, and completing a crossword puzzle. This is...
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Discourse
Explore the different types of discourse and language with your lecture students in this presentation, which explores "sweet language," "stuffy language," and "poetic language," among others. Helpful for English, Sociology, Semantics, or...
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Chapter 9: Language Processing: Humans and Computers
Designed to accompany An Introduction to Language by Victoria Fromkin, Robert Rodman, and Nina Hyams, this powerpoint addresses a number of language, technological, and sociological topics. The slides could be helpful in either a...
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Student Visas
Learners discuss immigration. In this student visas lesson, students consider policies and laws regarding immigration. The lesson includes several games, discussion questions, and activities.
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Strange Expressions
In this online interactive idioms worksheet, students determine which multiple choice answer best answers each of the 10 questions dealing with strange expressions.
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The Roots of Medical English
Students determine the origin of everyday words. In this language and literacy lesson plan, the teacher identifies words that students use that have roots in another language, then students work in pairs to determine the original...
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The Catcher in the Rye
Ninth graders engage in the reading of literature in order to focus upon some of the basic literary elements while examining "The Catcher In The Rye". They use the experience of reading and literary analysis in order to help develop an...
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First Grade, First Grade, What Do You See?
First graders read the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" by Bill Martin, Jr. and work cooperatively to create an online book about their geographic region. Books can be posted on the internet with other books from around...
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The Importance of Speaking Another Language
Students evaluate how important it can be to speak a language other than their own.
They analyze the role language plays in bridging cultural differences and compare their reasons and see if the class can reach a consensus on the...
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Speech and Language Samples
Students tell a story, describe a picture, share about a favorite toy from home and are recorded using an iPod with a voice recorder. They create a playlist of their voice and reading samples to illustrate progression over time.
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Binary Coding
Students identify different uses and forms of coding information, such as memory chips, discuss and create list of everyday items in which memory devices are used, watch video, play Bits and Bytes Game, and use binary code to encode and...
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Appropriate Topics For Small Talk
Students explore the concept of small talk. They identify topics that are proper and improper for small talk. Working with a partner, students practice small talk dialogs and responding to questions about their families and home life....
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Please, Take A Message
High schoolers identiry which information is important to capture when dictating a telephone message. In pairs, students practice dictating and recording telephone messages using a dedicated telephone message pad. This lesson is...
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Substance Abuse
Students identify and define the symptoms of differently forms or substance and self abuse. They formulate opinions as to why people engage in these types of behaviors. Students create an action plan to help an individual who may be...
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National Symbols
Students explore symbols of nationalism and consider their relevance today. Students listen to national anthems of various countries, discuss sentiments that songs and lyrics invoke, research history of anthems and countries they...
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Meals in Mexico
Students discuss typical meals in the U.S. and Mexico. Students group pictures of food according to which foods are eaten at which meals in each culture.
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Can Chimps Talk?
Students view a video about chimps and language. They work together to role play the roles of researchers and chimps in an experiment. They agree on a way to live together and each group be treated fairly.
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Further Activities with Language
Students chose a favorite passage from a Shakespeare play. They write a letter from one character to another in a novel they have just read. They take a scene from a movie and write it in Shakespearean language.
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The Tailenders
Students discuss the relationship between language and cultural identity. They view a video clip about losing ones language. They answer questions to end the instructional activity.