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Short But Sweet
After analyzing and evaluating news summaries found in the New York Times "Week in Review" section, middle schoolers study the steps for summarizing a news article briefly and accurately. They write two news summaries: one on a newspaper...
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Tea Overboard
While less well known than the event in Boston, the Yorktown Tea Party was equally decisive in turning community sentiment against Great Britain. To gain an understanding of why the colonists objected to the Tea Act, young historians...
Curated OER
Meaning of Philanthropy
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. For this service learning lesson, students discover what philanthropy is and identify people who benefit from philanthropy. Middle schoolers read selected newspaper articles regarding...
Curated OER
The Five Ws of Journalism
Students write a mock article. In this journalism lesson, students define the word "article" and learn the five W's of article writing. Students complete a worksheet and write a paragraph using what they have learned.
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle And Roll: Studying the Effects of an Earthquake
Learners gauge earthquake intensity by reviewing firsthand accounts. They use the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale and newspaper articles to estimate the strength and effects of a past earthquake.
Curated OER
Social Activism In The United States
Middle schoolers explore justice issues. In this social activism lesson, students watch "Social Activism in the United States," and then locate newspaper articles from the 1960's and 1970's about events during the era.
Curated OER
The News Behind the Story
What a fun way to analyze plot, setting, and character. Learners review story elements, read a short fictional story, then turn the events of that story into a headlining news paper article. Not only does this lesson engage critical...
Curated OER
Mixed Plate
Students locate a sample restaurant review in a newspaper or magazine. They examine the review to find the opinion of the reviewer and discuss reviews that convey mixed opinions. They compose an original review in a similar style to...
Curated OER
Using Quotation Marks: Around Titles of Short Works
When do you use quotation marks around titles? Review the rules at the top of the page, and then let learners decide if the sentences that follow use the quotations correctly. An answer sheet is included.
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Fact Versus Opinion
Young learners distinguish statements as fact or fiction. After exploring a newspaper, they determine the type of information it contains. They read editorial articles and discuss the differences between the editorial page and the front...
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Introduction to Severe Weather Patterns
Students review basic weather concepts and terminology, and explore weather modeling tools.
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Trouble in the Fields: Mexican Migrant Workers
Students become curators and museum reviewers for an online gallery using a selected group of primary sources on Mexican migrant workers. They share and reflect on their own and each other's ideas though participation in an on-line...
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County Chronicles
Young scholars review and use the information from previous lessons about their county. In groups, they write articles for various sections of a class newspaper. They review and edit each others work and publish their newspaper using a...
Social Media Toolbox
Reporting with Social Media
What does it take to create news stories that are both informative and objective? Aspiring journalists walk the line between engagement and activism with activity 15 of a 16-part series titled The Social Media Toolbox. Grouped pupils...
Curated OER
The American Revolution: Moving West and South
Students examine several letters to the editor from both a local newspaper and national newspapers. After reviewing current letters, they write a letter to the editor of an 18th-century newspaper expressing their opinion about the...
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What's the Story?
Students explore how the same news story can be presented differently through various journalistic styles. They discuss the unique characteristics of each style and find articles on the same event in each of the different styles.
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Reading-Author's Purpose
Students review what author's purpose is by understanding that authors either persuade, inform, describe, or entertain with their story. In this language arts lesson, students bring in junk mail and in small groups discuss what the each...
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Find the Error: Apostrophe
Your emerging editors review a newspaper advertisement and hunt for the single grammatical error included. They identify what kind of mistake it is and circle that from a list of six possibilities. Grammatical errors may include:...
Lawrence Virtual School
Context Clues
Considering a lesson on using context clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words? This packet includes a brief reading passage about strategies readers can use and 12 very different graphic organizers, including a template for a...
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Do Factions Control Political Parties Today?
Students establish how the first political parties were formed. In this U.S. History lesson plan, students work in groups to share their personal viewpoint on various topics provided by the teacher, then they are assigned to bring...
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Wall of Fame/Wall of Shame
Students create a bulletin board documenting good sportsmanship. After reviewing articles in magazines, students choose pieces that document good and bad behavior in sports. They discuss the implications of the behaviors noted in the...
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Study Skills- Fact and Opinion
Young scholars engage in a variety of activities in order to achieve the objectives of a layered curriculum unit. They take notes on the differences between fact and opinion. Students also use a newspaper in order to recognize...
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Homesteaders Push and Pull
In this American West learning exercise, learners review the factors that made the homesteaders leave their homes in the East to live in the plains. Students sort the factors into push and pull factor categories.
Curated OER
Find the Error 43
In this grammar worksheet, students review a newspaper advertisement and list the grammatical errors they find. Grammatical errors may include: apostrophes, articles, spelling, singulars, plurals, and punctuation.