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Weather Maps and Prediction
Young meteorologists read basic weather maps by learning about the symbols that are associated with them. This two-day instructional activity has some excellent demonstrations and activities to get youngsters thinking about the weather...
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Asda in a Pickle After Rat Found in Gherkins
Practice reading and speaking through a simulation activity in which learners role-play as store managers and angry customers. The class also reviews present and past-perfect tenses. Extensions and a print-friendly handout are provided.
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Changing Planet: Infectious Diseases Classroom Activity
Here is a different approach: emerging epidemiologists first go home to interview family on the topic of infectious disease. Then they come to class and view a video and PowerPoint that explore how climate change may increase the...
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Land Plan Challenge
Links to two different versions of this mapping activity are available. In "The Small Version," youngsters design a town, keeping the water supply in mind. In "The Large Version," they also design a town, but they consider services and...
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Origin of the Modern Summer Games
Where did the Olympic Summer Games originate? The class takes a look at ancient origins of modern Olympic games. They research the Olympics and write a compare and contrast essay that describes how the Olympic Games have changed since...
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Theater: Create a Script
Figurative language is the focus in the book Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia. After reading Peggy Parish's book, class members dramatize idioms from the text, using dramatic strategies such as characterization, exaggeration, and improvisation....
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Door Panels and Details: Renaissance Revival/Aesthetic Cabinet
Students investigate the history of cabinetry and furniture, specifically the Renaissance period. In this art history lesson, students investigate photographs of the Renaissance Revival/Aesthetic Cabinet, and examine the small...
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Arbitrary Arrangements: Daniel Sprick's Release Your Plans
Students investigate abstract artists as storytellers. In this art analysis lesson plan, students observe the small details in the painting called "Release Your Plans" by Daniel Sprick. Students collaborate in groups to create their...
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Monet's Magical Garden
Students study classic paintings by masters like Monet. In this art history lesson, students listen to the story Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert and sing flower songs with the rest of their class. Students examine the painting The...
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Bright Mice
Kindergarten through second graders explore the long i sound. In this phonics lesson, they read The Mother's Day Mice, sing "Farmer in the Dell," and play I Spy with long i in order to explore the target sound. Additionally, there is a...
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Living Yesterday's History Today
Students describe and contrast life as it was in colonial days. They plan, compose, and produce a student movie. They reflect on what they have learned. They share their experience with others in digital format.
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Anti-Smoking Jingle or Rap
Students read information about tobacco and describe the problems associated with smoking. They work in groups to create a presentation to discourage teenagers from smoking. They present their songs to the class and digitally record...
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Multiplication
Students practice their multiplication facts by reinforcement and repetition. Students write facts in their math journals, and use labeled soccer ball and deck of cards to practice multiplying by "number of the day." Play continues until...
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Erosion in Different Soils
Fourth graders observe and identify the effects of weathering and geological activities. They take part in an excellent hands-on group activity called "Erosion Race," in which each group tries to simulate erosion of soil in the quickest...
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The Stone Boat Mystery
Young scholars design and execute a lab through which they study the distinctions between density, buoyancy, and volume.
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Podcasting for Reading Fluency
Nothing helps you identify your reading fluency like hearing yourself read aloud! Increase reading fluency and expression by having young learners podcast a weekly high interest piece of literature. Assign a different star or featured...
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How Does a Friend Act?
Students brainstorm a list of characteristics that friends should and should not have. In groups, they are given a set of hand puppets in which they role-play different scenerios in front of the class. To end the lesson, they are shown...
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The Clique
Ninth graders identify and demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal skills needed to maintain quality relationships. Then they identify personal responsibility in conflict situations, while continuing to apply problem-solving and...
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To Give In or Not To Give In -- That Is The Question!
Seventh graders discover how to make the best decisions given the information at hand. In groups, they role-play different roles in scenerios to help them deal with peer pressure. To end the instructional activity, they discuss why it is...
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Weighing the War
Study opposing viewpoints with this lesson, which examines President Bush's September 2004 address at the United Nations. Middle schoolers study the text of the address, and then stage formal debates arguing for or against the reasons to...
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Creating Classroom Rules
Perfect for establishing classroom protocols, this activity gets even the youngest learners thinking about rules and their consequences. The lesson begins with a discussion and a reading of the poem Humpty Dumpty that gets youngsters...
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Acting Like a Third Grader (Part 1)
Third graders, after brainstorming the positive and negative types of behaviors, become aware of the right and wrong way to behave as a third grader. They perform a skit that demonstrates the skills and behaviors used by third grade...
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My Feelings
First graders examine and discuss different emotions and feelings, and how people can react when they are in an unsafe situation. They discuss a feelings thermometer, and complete a worksheet involving identifying how they feel in...
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My School Job
Second graders discuss why classrooms have helpers to complete everyday tasks. In groups, they participate in a role-play activity in which they complete the assigned tasks. To end the lesson, they complete a worksheet in which they...