State University of New York
Going Back in Time Using “George Washington’s Socks”
After reading Elvira Woodruff's George Washington's Socks, young readers and writers embark upon writing their own historically based story, with a focus on developing ideas and details throughout the piece. In small groups, class...
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I Want a Job in Agriculture
Upper graders explore agriculture careers. They brainstorm possible careers in the agricultural field and choose a career of interest to them. Everyone writes a paper about different aspects of this career using the six traits of...
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Narrative Writing
Are you the oldest in your family? The youngest? The middlest? How do you feel about your place in your family? After reading such stories as My Rotten, Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by...
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Revise and Edit Writing
Seventh graders write, revise, and edit a letter and a story. In this revising and editing lesson plan, 7th graders learn the differences between revising and editing by doing the two to a letter and eventually a story.
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Writing Through Art
Examine the works of visual and performing artists with upper graders. Using the works, they identify the comparisons among the techniques used. They will also review the six traits of effective writing and keep a writing journal...
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Using a Mentor Text to Develop a New Style of Writing
Students examine some of the author's writing traits and then make an effort to incorporate his style into their own writing. They show how richly written literature can be used as a mentor text, or model, for improving one's own writing.
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Narrative Writing
Second graders select and read a variety of stories and discuss what happened in the story that made the day so special. Using a graphic organizer, 2nd graders brainstorm ideas about their best day at school. They compose a story...
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Story Writing
Second graders review the basic elements of a story. Individually, they write their own original story as they use a software program to help them map out their ideas. With a partner, they exchange papers and read them for grammatical...
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Heredity And Environment
Students complete a pre-test on the relationship between heredity and the environment. As a class, they write down descriptions of themselves and identify which traits can be changed and not changed. In groups, they determine which genes...
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Awesome Animals
Sixth graders write descriptive narratives about animals. In this descriptive writing lesson, the teacher models how to write a paragraph with interesting sensory words and exciting verbs. Students choose a picture of an animal they want...
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Nominate a Classmate
Learners study what it means to be good citizens. In this government instructional activity, students nominate a classmate for being a good citizen and write a persuasive letter to the principal persuading the principal to make that...
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Stories of Hope: Dragonfly and Mosquito
Students identify and interpret the value of the dragonfly as a predator of the mosquito. They create their own folktales using the dragonfly or a creature of their choice to solve the malaria problem or another issue. Students also...
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Out of the Dust
Seventh graders read a book of poems called "Out of the Dust". In groups, they research the Dust Bowl and how it affected people living through the Great Depression. Using the text, they identify the theme and key turning points and...
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A Christmas Carol Reaction
Eighth graders explore writing in voice. They read and discuss A Christmas Carol and the trait of voice in writing. They write a bio poem about one of the characters and his traits, feelings, attitudes and reactions. They write their...
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Number Stories
Students write and solve various number stories. They solve number stories using one, two and three digit numbers. Students practice writing sentences using the following 6+1 traits, ideas and content, organization, word choice and...
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Narrative Prompt
Second graders practice their writing skills on a daily basis. Using a prompt, they write about a time they surprised themselves or someone else. They use a graphic organizer to gather their thoughts before writing the first draft. ...
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Meiosis Lab: Building Baby Reebops
Students review the following vocabulary: Independent assortment, multiple alleles, and polygenic traits. They review their vocabulary by the "quiz, quiz trade" routine. Students work in groups. They are given one set of gene cards...
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The Important Things About Nouns
Students review nouns by observing a Nouns PowerPoint and write nouns using handheld computers. They listen to Margaret Wise Brown's, The Important Book as a model for a class e-book about nouns which they publish.
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Agriculture in the Desert
Students explore human migration. In this human migration lesson, students investigate multiple factors contributing to the growth of major Arizona cities. Students discover the processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.