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iPod Audio Tours
Middle schoolers cooperate in small groups to create an audio tour of a zoo exhibit during a field trip. They record personal reactions, zoo sounds and information learned about the exhibit. They then edit the audio recording and add...
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The Ultimate Survivor Using Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
What items would you need to survive if you were stranded in a remote place? Using chapter 10 of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, middle-schoolers work through a Six Trait writing activity to create a story about their own survival in a similar...
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Exothermic Rehydration of Gypsum
Students observe exothermic reactions in the lab using plaster. In this chemistry lesson, students collect data from their experimental set up every five minutes. They explain the different stages in the hardening of plaster.
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Citizenship
Students discuss and define the term citizenship. In this character education lesson plan, students explore the responsibilities of citizenship in small groups. Additionally, students compare events in history and discuss their personal...
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Lincoln is in the House! ("Name-Dropping" Poems and the Power of Connotation)
“What’s in a name?” Just about everything. Barack Obama, Vincent van Gogh, Justin Bieber. Famous names evoke a multitude of reactions and poets often use the names of famous people in their works precisely because names carry...
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Holding a 'Peace Hug' at your School
Students consider feelings. In this positivity lesson, students realize how they can create a peaceful environment with their words and actions. They discuss feelings and personal experiences as a class and expand out to the rest of...
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"The Tell-Tale Heart"- It's a Matter of Point of View
How does the point of view of Poe's protagonist in "The Tell-Tale Heart" contribute to the suspenseful tone? Help your middle schoolers identify the point of view in a literary work with this instructional activity, which goes on to...
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"I Never Knew That!"
Incorporating To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, narrative writing, and friendly letters, this lesson is ideal for any number of units in your classroom. First, read chapter 10 of the novel, noting Scout and Jem's reactions to their...
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Novel Character Study
Students complete a character study using a database to compile information from a novel. They design a five slide presentation highlighting the character's reaction to different situations in the book. They write an acrostic poem using...
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Arts & Entertainment/Production Marketing
Students demonstrate a comprehension and a tasteful appreciation of the creative and performing arts. They seek, experiments, and shares reactions of different forms of art. Students analyze and reflect on others' work. They recognize...
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Using "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" to Teach Cause and Effect
Students discuss cause and effect relationships and the chain reaction involved before listening to the story "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears". Students create flow charts to show the chain reactions of causes and effects in the...
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Ice Cream in a Bag
Here is a good version of this classic chemistry activity. Learners are given a simple recipe for how to make home-made ice cream by putting all of the ingredients into a ziploc bag. Before doing the activity, I would recommend having a...
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A Twisted Love Poem
Students read poem about dating violence, discuss meaning of the poem, and compose essay about their interpretation and reactions to it.
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Anonymous Card Delivery
Students make cards as a form of good will. In this card making lesson, students brainstorm a list of people who would benefit from an anonymous card. Students deliver the cards anonymously and observe the reaction of the recipients.
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Farewell to Manzanar: Racism and Point of View
Learners create a presentation on the computer of the reactions and memories of people who were around during the attacks at Pearl Harbor. In this Pearl Harbor lesson plan, students interview people who were there, discuss the racism,...
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Memory of a Kiss
Third graders read, discuss, and memorize the poem "Jenny Kissed Me." as an example of lyrical poetry. They write a letter to Jenny reliving the memory of her kiss from an elderly person's point of view. They illustrate their poems.
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Design Diaries
Students consider their interest in interior design and comment on popular trends. They explore reactions to prolific design ideas that become mundane by reading and discussing the article "Flash in the Can: Designs Soon Forgotten." They...
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What is April Fool's Day?
Students explore humor by creating their own practical joke. In this April Fool's Day lesson, students read different situations in which practical jokes were taken too far. Students discuss their reactions to the jokes and identify when...
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Appreciation Cards
Students discuss jobs in which have impacted their lives directly. They create appreciation cards for a person who they believe needs appreciation. They give their cards to that person and share their reaction with the class.
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Making Choices
Fifth graders identify their personal interests and behavioral choices. They explore how these choices affect school and family situations. Consequences of their choices are examined.
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The President: Politician in Chieft
Students explore the role of the U.S. President and the media coverage in presidential elections. They discuss what it means to be informed, the issues they consider most important, and reflect on what they learned from their interviews....
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Learning About Our Five Senses
Students study the sense of touch and various degrees of heat. They design a model that displays how the human hand reacts to heat using a touch sensor.
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Irish Eyes: Taking a Look at Local Landscape
Direct your class’s attention to the elements that make their community unique. After examining sample travel brochures, groups select something from their community to use as the subject, and then research, create, and publish a...
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An Acquaintance with Darkness, a Civil War
Eighth graders explore the Civil War, and people and events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his funeral procession.