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American Heroes Acrostic
For this acrostic poem worksheet, students complete the poem using the letters of the phrase "American Heroes." A website reference for additional resources is given.
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Monster and Myths: Scripts
Middle schoolers explore characteristics of the myth genre. In this myth lesson, students become familiar with various myths and the cultures they were derived from. Middle schoolers compare in a graphic...
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Who's Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk?
Students discover the characteristics that make a hero or heroine. They also look at how society recognizes its heroes and how the nation represents its values and beliefs by researching heroes from the past and present.
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Oedipus Wrecks
Students explore the concept of the 'tragic hero' and how such characters are relevant in theatre, literature, and history.
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Sharing is Giving-The Drive
Students identify acts of philanthropy. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students define the term "hero" and read the book Stone Soup. Students discuss soup kitchens and complete a Venn diagram analyzing the differences...
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Referencing the Classical Past
Students discuss the sculptural group of Three Goddessesby Joseph Nollekens in a study of the classical past. In this Classical history lesson, students describe the three figures in the painting and read an excerpt for the story the art...
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Story Writing
Students work in groups to create a story that will be presented to the class. In this story writing lesson, students complete a project planning sheet, work together to create a story that includes a hero and at least two other...
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Chiune Sugihara, Living by Gandhian Principles
Seventh graders read about Chiune Sugihara and analyze the moral situations he faced. For this morality lesson, 7th graders read chapters from A Special Fate, Chiune Sugihara: Hero of the Holocaust and analyze his moral decisions in the...
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Folktales: Oral Traditions as a Basis for Instruction in our Schools
Middle schoolers visit their school library to read a variety of folktales. While they read, they identify the trickster or hero in each and discuss how the character represents the chaos in the real world. In groups, they write their...
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Got a problem? Let's Solve It!
Students understand what problem solving means and that problems can be solved in different ways. In this problem solving lesson, students discuss real life problems in groups and present their solution. Students create journal entries...
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The Friendship Book Questions
In this literature study instructional activity, students answer eleven short answer questions based upon the book, The Friendship.
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Exploring Film Genres for Telling Hero Stories: Experimental Shorts
Learners design and create an experimental film to express a theme or concept regarding heroism. They establish shots of locations, write dialogue, create montages and subjective footage.
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Secret Message
Students understand the important use of codes during World War II. In this World War II lesson, students recognize the accomplishments of Hannah Senesh in carrying valuable information during the war. Students complete a worksheet and...
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From Zero to Superhero
Students discuss superheroes, focusing first on the details of creating the character of Batman. They work in small groups to develop superheroes for the 1990s, and write stories or cartoons about their superhero's adventures on their own.
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Jason and the Golden Fleece
Students read and analyze the classic Greek tale of "Jason and the Golden Fleece." They compare/contrast the story with modern works of literature and films, answer discussion questions, and retell the story in a modern-day setting.
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Choose Your Path
Students identify the plot and theme of cartoons. In groups, they discuss and compare the written and movie versions of popular fairy tales. Individually, they write their own fairy tale and share them with the class. They write their...
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Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
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Paraphrasing
In this paraphrasing worksheet students are tasked to paraphrase five short passages. Students write their paraphrase and can then self check against sample answers.
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Photo Safari
Students take photographs of people and things that impact their lives. In this photojournalism lesson plan, students learn how to use a photo to tell a story and present their project.
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Tall Tales Today
Students explore the attributes of American tall tales. In this folklore activity, students read several tall tales, describe the elements of tall tales, and then use hyperbole to write their own tall tales.
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Storytelling in the Oral Tradition
Seventh graders research Greek mythological characters. They write about problems faced by middle school-aged children and how the character would handle them. Students also create story boards to accompany their oral narratives.
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Women in History: Research for Expository Writing
After reading an excerpt from Amelia Earhart's autobiography, The Fun of It, learners explore various nonfiction resources about her life and write a short newspaper article on a specific event. They then develop a longer piece of...
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"Theseus and the Minotaur"
Young scholars analyze the features of myths and legends. They read the myths "Theseus and the Minotaur" and "Orpheus and Eurydice," identify the myth story elements, evaluate each story for the overall theme, describe the characters,...
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Middle schoolers watch the video Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. They participate in daily lecture, and create vocabulary cards. Students participate in oral reading evaluation, and complete a writing assignment:Do things like those that...