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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "The Slave's Dream"
Students examine Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's contribution to the anti-slavery movement. They read and analyze a poem, identify the poem's techniques, and write a critique of the poem, "The Slave's Dream."
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Using Southeast Asian Folktales to Teach Reading and Writing
Students use maps to locate the countries of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. In groups, they compare and contrast the three countries in regard to their culture, morals and values. They read various examples of folktales and write their...
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Writing a Fable
Students are introduced to the definition of a fable in that it is a story that has a moral for people to apply in their lives. They then read a fable together so they have a better understanding. Next, students write their own fables.
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Figurative Language - Part Two
Students need to use their papers from Part One of this lesson. They then write a paragraph for each term. This exercise help them to use these terms in their writing. Using figurative language makes writing more descriptive and alive.
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Essay on Themes
Students read the book THE CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London and discuss the different elements in the book. They then write an essay on a theme providing examples backing up their main point of their essay.
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Who Am I Without Him?
Students read and discuss the book, Who Am I Without Him? In this fluency lesson, students practice reading with expression and making text to self connections. Students practice writing expressively in their journals.
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Poetic Justice: A Study of Poe's Famous Works
Students explore Edgar Allan Poe's most famous short stories. In this Edgar Allan Poe lesson, students complete a 25 page packet of activities where they recognize the features of genres and literary devices Poe uses. Students read "The...
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A Picture's Worth 500-700 Words
Learners interpret and analyze a work of art and write a narrative for the piece of art. In this narrative art lesson plan, students analyze a work of art and then write a short story 500-700 words long to narrate the art.
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Write a Story
Here is a great way to explore narrative writing! Learners review a previously constructed story map and identify the characters, setting, and main events in the book Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric A. Kimmel. They...
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Newberry Award Reading Project
Fifth graders complete a project for a Newberry Award winning book. This ambitious lesson outlines the expectations for students regarding their project. Included is a list of possible books and a variety of writing, art, music and...
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The Hobbit
Students list W.H Auden's six characteristics of a quest story. They say what is meant by a "metaphorical quest." Pupils discuss some differences between symbolism and allegory. Students indicate how Bilbo Baggins's adventures changed...
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Night Lesson Plan: Stereotypes and Scapegoats
Students read the novel Night by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and complete related activities. In this novel analysis lesson, students prompt write and discuss the answers. Students take notes on stereotypes and scapegoats and read how...
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The Notorious Hope Diamond: What Makes an American Legend?
Learners view and discuss a video on the legend of the Hope Diamond then compare and contrast other tales such as Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and Johnny Appleseed. They analyze basic characteristics of these legends then use descriptive...
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Another Prospective on Events in the Annex
Young scholars read "The Diary of Anne Frank". They write their own diary entry from the point of view of someone else who was hiding with Anne Frank. They share their prospectives with the class.
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Immigrants & Community
Students examine how different groups of immigrants contributed to the growth of specific communities. After reading a novel, they keep a journal on the important elements found and create a map of the community portrayed. Using the...
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Art Inspired by Words
Students create a sketch on a single literary passage and compare their work.
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Dicey Poetry
Students role cubes prepared with vocabulary and parts of speech on each side. They collect words and create poems from the words collected. They read their poems to the class.
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Tell-Tale Heart
Pupils discuss the title of Edgar Allen Poe's story, The Tell-Tale Heart before reading it, and discuss information about the author. They use a graphic organizer to help them comprehend the story as they read.
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Hispanics in Indianapolis
Eighth graders explore the history of the Indianapolis Hispanic Community and create an illustrated timeline of Hispanics in Indianapolis beginning from 1870 and ending in 1999, while exploring local social issues of the past and present.
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Trees, Trees, Trees! - Adopt A Tree
Students adopt a tree, take a bark rubbing from that tree, and conduct research about that type of tree. They write an original piece about their tree using three facts and in a genre of their choice.
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Mood In Art And Poetry
Seventh graders investigate the concept of mood and how it influences various types of art. They create an abstract painting and demonstrate how mood is present in the work. Also, 7th graders construct poems using word choices to set...
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Using Alliteration in The Z was Zapped
Students discuss alliteration and how it is used in the book The Z Was Zapped. Students choose a letter and create alliterative sentences and illustrate the letter.
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A Picture's Worth 500-700 Words
Students write a narrative or short story of 500-700 words based on an assigned work of art.
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The Diary of Anne Frank: Research Project on Concentration Camps during World War II
Eighth graders investigate the Holocaust and the persecution of specific ethnic groups in Europe during World War II.