American Forest Foundation
Who Speaks for the Trees?
Help young conservationists appreciate the important role that trees play in ecosystems around the world with this collection of six engaging activities. From a shared reading and class discussion of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, to in an depth...
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Storytelling in the Classroom
What makes story telling special? Young readers demonstrate how to tell a story to others. Kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders read biographies of "Building Blocks" characters and tell a story about a character to their...
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Sustainable Development
Young environmentalists use a conference format to reach consensus on ways to slow deforestation and promote sustainable development. Class members are assigned roles to play during the conference, and work on posters and a public...
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Hawaii's Freshwater Animals - Species Report
Students explore biology by creating a report for the class. In this oceanography lesson, students research and identify the survival characteristics of a list of freshwater animals by utilizing the Internet and library. Students...
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National Museum of Natural History
Students explore U.S. history by participating in a class field trip. In this museum lesson, students attend a field trip to the Natural History Museum and identify cultural stories and art pieces they enjoy. Students collaborate in...
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Storytelling
Why are some people such good story tellers? Help youngsters demonstrate the art of storytelling. They start off by listening to a story and sharing what they noticed about the storytelling that made it exciting. Then, they study a story...
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Readers Theater
Students perform a reader's theater based on the Civil War. In this dramatic arts history lesson, students review the purpose of reader's theater and are given a script to read. The script can be based on an important Civil War figure....
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Lost on a Deserted Island
Third graders practice brainstorming with their classmates as they discuss a role-play situation. In this group discussion lesson, 3rd graders must present ideas of ways to survive on a deserted island by discussing with their...
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Weather Reporter
Fourth graders generate an oral presentation on the weather. In this weather lesson, 4th graders watch the weather for a week and record the data on a chart. Students give a weather report at the end of the week.
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Civil War: Generals at the Battle of Stones River
Students explore U.S. history by creating a computer presentation in class. In this Civil War battle lesson, students read assigned text about the Battle of Stones River and research individual generals from the battles. Students utilize...
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TE Activity: Space Shelter
Students simulate that they need to develop a new home on a different planet. They design a shelter that will ensure their survival after researching the characteristics of the other planet. They write an essay about their home design.
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Planet of Plenty
Students examine a small piece of land to determine the diversity of life on Earth. They role play as visitors from outer space seeing life on Earth for the first time. They measure and observe their plots while working in small groups....
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Read and Review
Students create presentations to discuss a book they've read using a video format. In this reading and speech lesson, students video tape a presentation about a book they've written a summary for. Students then produce an in-house...
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Must We Shoot Bambi?
Learners explore the deer population. In this environmental lesson, students participate in a hands-on activity to better understand the concept of controlling the deer population.
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Illegal coffee threatens wildlife
Students, after reading an article from the World Wide Fund for nature on coffee possibly being grown illegally in an Indonesian national park and being sold to major coffee brands, answer several worksheets to text questions about the...
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My Building, My Community
Students become familiar with the concepts of community and neighborhood and what buildings are associated with these. In this neighborhood lesson, students tour the neighborhood as a class, observing and taking photos of the local...
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Presentation to Class and School
How's the weather today? Elementary and middle schoolers plan severe weather awareness day in this lesson on research presentations. They present their research reports, along with their action plan and any other associated products...
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Smoke and Mirrors
Students develop a persuasive peer-to-peer case against smoking. They read two scenarios, perform a skit, and prepare a factual presentation.
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Learning Through Autobiographical Situations
A special education classroom examines a variety of literature from Latin American authors. In groups, they read excerpts from many autobiographies and compare them with their own life. After writing their own autobiographies, they...
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Health Education: An Integrated Approach
Fourth graders participate in role plays in order to consider how they use body language and facial expressions to convey their feelings. In this nonverbal communication lesson, 4th graders discuss the importance of paying attention to...
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Let's Put a Spin on Things: Graffiti Role Play
Fourth graders examine what is and what isn't graffiti. They role-play various scenarios, research the Graffiti Hurts website, and discuss when graffiti should be reported to local law enforcement.