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Viewpoint and Persuasive Writing
Practice persuasive writing skills in this thorough lesson. After selecting issues and discovering viewpoints, middle schoolers write letters or brochures created to express the individual's perspective. The ideas are presented to the...
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Creative Writing Poem
Fifth graders write poetry using imagery and practice poetry presentation. In this poetry lesson, 5th graders listen as the teacher reads a humorous poem using different voice modulations and presentation techniques. They discuss the...
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Vanishing Verbs
Students analyze recent media trends, and develop critical thinking skills by summarizing main ideas, extracting details, formulating opinions, drawing inferences, and comparing and contrasting attitudes. They also practice paraphrasing...
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"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether...
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Basic Feature Interviewing
Students act as reporters to develop interview skills. In this interview lessons, students develop the skills needed to use anecdotes and quotes to make an interview interesting. They practice asking questions over and above the 5 W's so...
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Why Can't I Vote?
Fourth graders take an unannounced test (failure is expected) and the top scores are rewarded with candy bars. They compare this test to the literacy tests given before 1960 and votes to candybars. They journal their responses.
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Lesson Refresh: Plan with the END in Mind
Fourth graders identify literary techniques by participating in a class discussion. In this organization activity, 4th graders practice public speaking while presenting ideas for a story to their classmates as well as critiquing the...
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Environmental Quality in Our Own Backyard
Learners research an environmental issue and decide on a course of action. They write a reseach paper and present an oral presentation based on the research.
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Cuentos
Students revise Spanish mystery stories. They sequence the events from a group's mystery story and suggest revisions for the setting. They revise their stories using the suggestions from classmates and describe characters in folktales....
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The Talking Stick
Students examine the lives of the Aboriginal peoples of Saskatchewan. In this talking stick lesson, students discover dance, art, music, and traditions of the First Nations people. Students design and create a talking stick to...
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Withdrawing Money From The BAnk
Students discuss the various options for withdrawing money from the bank. Students recognize the importance of keeping accurate bank records and personal banking information secure. This lesson is intended for students acquiring English.
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Travel Agent Presentation
Students participate in a role play as an employee of a country's tourism bureau. They research their country using a variety of resources and create a travel brochure encouraging travel to their country.
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Microbiology Design Challenge
Students discover dangers to human health by researching what's in our drinking water. In this water purification instructional activity, students discuss the conditions of water in undeveloped countries and why it is unsafe to...
Orange County Department of Education
The Lost and Found
Third graders explain the definition of integrity and respect and provide examples from the story The Lost and Found's characters and their own lives that illustrate both. They describe in their journals why and how they think Wendell...
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Science: Total Recall
Third graders attempt to recall details about a person entering the classroom while they are involved in another activity. They test their skills of observation and memories by playing an interactive memory game.
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Traveling the USA
Pupils simulate the role of travel agents addressing the needs of a foreign family visiting a state in the US. They prepare a presentation and informational sales pitch of a proposed travel itinerary.
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Social Studies: Ramadan Observance
Students discuss Ramadan and the practice of fasting. Working in groups, they visit Websites and complete worksheets about the Muslim holiday. Students write letters role-playing as someone unfamiliar with a celebration and then write...
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Young scholars work in groups to imagine, research and simulate a dinner party involving an author, a fictional character, and a significant historical figure as dinner guests. The activity uses Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and...
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Break Down
Fourth graders apply their understanding of the elements of plot structure and conflict to cooperatively create storyboards and speak effectively as they present their products. They create storyboards for some of the classic Disney...