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Fantasy, Fables, Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales
Students identify the differences between fantasies, fables, myths, legends and fairy tales. In groups, they create their own versions of the different genres. They practice identifying the examples, as well.
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My Favorite Things
Students identify "masterpieces" and mass-produced objects. They explain why they value a given object and determine what physical materials were used to create the objects. They create a class book featuring objects that they value.
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Economics Lesson: The Real McCoy
Learners research the origination of the expression "The Real McCoy." In this economics research lesson, students read the book The Real McCoy. Learners examine Elijah McCoy and his invention of the oil cup and how it relates to the...
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The Globe and World Map
Learners explore how to use maps for travel. In this map skills lesson, students read the text, With Love from Gran and discuss the places the character traveled. Learners list the names of each city and country on chart paper.
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Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Students study the American sport and history of baseball. In this baseball lesson, students complete three levels of units to learn about baseball.
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A Penny For Your Thoughts: Cross-Curricular Journal Writing
Students are introduced to the importance of journal writing. After creating their own journal, they write their thoughts and feelings about different subjects. If they choose to they can share their writings with the class to end the...
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Cloud Haiku
Students listen as a haiku is read by the teacher, determining what season is being portrayed in the poem. Students work together as a class and create a model haiku, then complete a worksheet, completing their own poem. Students will...
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Pizzeria (reading Encouragement)
Students create a pizzeria atmosphere in the classroom with Italian music, pizza menus and checkered table cloths. They compare their different tastes in pizza toppings to different tastes in reading. Then they use a reading menu to...
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The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush: Native American Life
Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.
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Find a Book
Student receives one book description card and in less than 2 minutes, they walk through the Media Center to find a book matching that description. After a matching book is found, each student evaluates the book.
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Autobiographical Postage Stamp
Pupils design a postage stamp that communicates to the world who they are, what they hope to be, what they are good at, and factual information. They use, "My Great Aunt Arizona" by Gloria Houston as a model for a biography.
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Nature and Haiku Poetry
Students compose haiku poems and recognize how cultures value nature and
natural forces through the study of Japanese poetry. This instructional activity includes a bibliography of resources.
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In The Eye Of The Beholder
Students, in groups, research Rembrandt's life and works. They find critiques of his work, as well. Each group reports their findings back to the rest of the class. Finally, they create abstract drawings and write interpretations about...
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Voices From Your Heart
Students create individual representations of Chinese calligraphy symbols in this cross-curricular lesson for the elementary Language Arts or Art classroom. One enrichment activity is included.
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Transforming Negatives to Positives
Students create double-exposed photographs, poetry, and multimedia presentations to celebrate their Open Court "City Wildlife" unit.
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Japanese Folktales: Animals and Demons
Students compare and contrast the stories from different cultures by studying the folktales of Japan and their use of animals and antagonist characters. Any activity in this lesson can be used as a separate lesson.
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Finding Buck Henry
Students read and demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process via the novel "Finding Buck Henry." They recognize complex elements of plot. Students analyze devices used to develop characters in...
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Twenty-one Balloons
Fifth graders determine what the Newbery Award is and why it is importance. They examine a number of Newbery Award winning books and listen to a book talk about William Pene DuBois', Twenty-One Balloons while watching a PowerPoint...
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ELD with Dr. Seuss Will Turn Their Creativity Loose!
Use the timeless story of Green Eggs and Ham to excite learners of all ages and proficiency levels.
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The Origins of Heraldry
Students design a personal coat of arms which depicts themselves and explain their shields to the class in an informal presentation.
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"Mind Reader" Math Trick
Students perform a math-based card trick and explain the concepts behind the trick. They video tape classmates performing the trick. Finally, they write a paragraph explaining the trick.
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Revolutionary Money
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included.
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Quilting - A Pioneer Craft
Fifth graders explore quilting in pioneer families. In this quilting lesson, 5th graders review the history of quilts, the role of women, and quilting patterns. They create their own pattern and quilt square.
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The Blues . Writing . Biographies/Profiles . The Soul of a Man
This lesson, focused on profile writing and its unique characteristics, considers the profiles developed in the film The Soul of a Man while also asking students to consider other profiles they are familiar with and to write some of...