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Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Students develop computer research skills while searching facts about Harriet Tubman. Students learn about ways in which Harriet Tubman's childhood influenced her future. Students learn to use primary documents to learn about the...
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Invent a Holiday
Who wouldn't want to create their own holiday? Use the 12 elements of a holiday to have learners of all ages create their own holiday. These days, it seems like we make any excuse for a holiday! Consider having some fun with your kids...
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Meet the Press
Students participate in a role play revolving around political elections. The roles of candidate, campaign manager, and journalist emphasized in this activity. Students listen to candidate interviews that are available online.
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Once upon a Time in the 1800's
Young readers examine the details in an 1821 painting by Jacques-Louis David depicting two sisters who are exiled princesses. They read a tale about the Brothers Grimm, who were writing fairy tales during the same time period that these...
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The Colon
An outstanding presentation clarifies one of the most misunderstood and misused punctuation marks: the colon. With clear instructions about the appropriate times to use the colon and examples of proper usage, learners practice using it...
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Moore vs. Livingston:Who Really Wrote 'The Night Before Christmas'
Students research an author and gather information that seems to support that person as author of The Night Before Christmas. They work in groups to gather the most solid evidence and they write a persuasive essay presenting their argument.
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Poetry Slam!
Create poems without writing! Young poets create poems using words cut from newspapers, read their poems aloud, and compile them in a book. This lesson allows the teacher to view each learner's creative process and assess their current...
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Presidential Powers
Students study and discuss the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch. They write a new section or clause describing a new duty for the president of the United States. Students define the word power and proposal.
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Presidents Picture Book
Students create a picture book of the U.S. presidents. They study general information about the U.S. presidents, write a sentence about each president, and create a picture book about the U.S. presidents.
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Sharing African Culture
Students investigate African American culture by reading aloud an African folk tale and illustrating the tale. They use their illustrations to create a book or a bulletin board that retells the folk tale.
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Teaching About Tolerance Through Music
Explore the importance of tolerance with a music-themed lesson. Learners listen to the music of Peter, Paul, and Mary, and discern the underlying messages before discussing the painful effects of ridicule, disrespect, and bullying.
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Using To, Two, and Too
Introduce your youngsters to some of the most easily confused words: to, two, and too! After each word is defined and examples are provided, a short practice opportunity allows you to assess your class's understanding of the words. A...
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Argument and Persuasion: What's Wrong With Gay Marriage?
The topic of gay marriage has gotten lots of attention recently. Without actually asking your class their personal opinions, this two-page activity has pupils study two essays about gay marriage. Readers analyze the attitude, tone, and...
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My Favorite Thing To Do
In this writing activity, students think about their favorite things to do after school, choosing ideas from the idea bank or coming up with their own. Students fill out 10 answers to questions, then write paragraphs about this topic.
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Gender in the Classroom by Deborah Tannen
Bring some informational text into your high school classroom with this worksheet. As your pupils read Gender in the Classroom by Deborah Tannen, provide them with this analysis sheet. They study specific quotations and sections of the...
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Perfecting My Pal's Poe Paragraph
After analyzing the compelling first paragraph of Edgar Allen Poe's short story "The Masque of the Red Death," high schoolers draft original opening paragraphs using techniques identified Poe's writing. The relationship between suspense...
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Student Learning Questionnaire
Although you could use this for any classroom, it was originally designed to be used in a high school advanced placement English course. Five questions about classroom learning and participation are presented. Give this to your class to...
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Reader's Theater: Presenting Asian Folktales
Students, working in groups, rewrite Asian folktales as Reader's Theater scripts. Depending on grade level, they visit Websites and copy assigned stories. Students then perform their versions for classmates.
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Spelling Relay
Looking for a way to review and practice spelling words that's fun and creative? Use this spelling relay activity for any grade level. Using three spelling lists, ranging in difficulty, teams of young spellers choose words from the lists...
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This Is America! Flag Collage
In a visual essay of their thoughts about "What America Means to Me," kids of any age can create a collage about their country. Originally intended to be created physically, learners could share their projects online by using an...
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Poetry of War and Peace
Students read and discuss the poem "In Flanders Fields," then write poems evoking images of peacetime. They practice the techniques of writing poetry while using textual imagery to create visual images.
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Water Fun
Students examine uses for water. In this water lesson plan, students discuss how they use water. As a class students make a PowerPoint by naming one swimming safety rule. Students compare and contrast fishing for fun and fishing for...
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What is Romanticism?
Blake, Wordsworth, Shelley, Coleridge, Byron, Keats. The Romantic Era and the ideas that accompany the movement are the focus of a PowerPoint that examines the lives and works of these British writers. Richly-detailed lecture notes...
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Revising Your Draft
Revising, as opposed to editing, is the focus of a presentation that details this essential part of the writing process. The author of this PowerPoint suggests outlining the draft to determine if all the necessary elements are included...