San José State University
Effective Argumentation: Premises and Conclusions
Augment argumentative skills with this handout and brief exercise. This resource outlines premises, conclusions, and joining words, and explains how these make up the foundation of logical arguments. After reading through this...
K12 Reader
Transcontinental Railroad
Who built the Transcontinental Railroad and why was it important? Your class can learn about the laying down of these tracks by reading a short passage. Pupils then respond to five questions related to the text.
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Tall Tales
Give your class an overview of American tall tales and some examples with these slides. The basic definition of folk stories, legends, and tall tales is explained, followed by famous characters from American lore. Reading suggestions are...
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Reading Comprehension 2: Level 8
Need a quick assessment of your middle schoolers' reading comprehension skills? The four questions on this quiz ask readers to identify the likely source of the article, define words based on context, and identify the main idea of the...
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Living Together as One
The ultra-glamorous Muppet, Miss Piggy, launches a study of discrimination and ways to develop a more inclusive community. A series of videos and activities raise awareness of discrimination and journal prompts asks participants to...
Channel Islands Film
Island Rotation: Lesson Plan 3
How far have California's Channel islands moved? What was the rate of this movement? Class members first examine data that shows the age of the Hawaiian island chain and the average speed of the Pacific Plate. They then watch West...
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Book Making
Students make connections with real life experiences and the two languages, including Spanish and English. They create their own books in this project lesson plan to take home and read with their families. Students also use a digital...
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Debt
Fourth graders read a book about debt, credit, and interest rates and write a story about these topics. In this debt and credit lesson, 4th graders read the book Four Dollars and Fifty Cents, define the terms "debt" and "credit," and...
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Literature Circles
Students respond aesthetically to a piece of text. They give book talks about a picture book their small group read and rate it. Each student has a different job in the literature cirlce during the discussions. Finally, the students...
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Changing the World: Social Entrepreneurs Part Two
Students explore the work of social entrepreneurs. In this entrepreneurship lesson, students research a specific entrepreneur and create a presentation introducing him or her to the class. Students design a seminar on social...
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Cyber Currency, Currently
Students explore the value of currency and how to save and earn interest. In a key lesson, kids even get to purchase items in their classroom's general store. It's a fun way to learn the importance of being financially literate!
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The Raid on Raters
Students read and discuss the article "Hollywood Rethinks its Rating Process." They discuss their views on the rating system. Students work in small groups to role play a "headhunting" company to find applicants for a new and improved...
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Book Club Discussion: Things Fall Apart
Students read and discuss Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart. Students are guided to analyze the text through consideration of the author's use of 6 literary devices. Students also evaluate the text according to their personal...
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Essential to Autumn: Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Pattern, Rhythm, Emphasis, Movement, Balance, and Unity
Students explore the environment by learning about nature. In this art lesson, students go on a walk and find objects to help in creating a picture, or collage representing whatever season is being discussed. Students write similes...
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We All Need Speed Limits
Pupils consider fluency and speed of reading. In this speed limits lesson, students discuss the importance of speed when reading and how the rate affects comprehension and listening skills. Teacher models think aloud as a strategy.
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Dazzling Digital Poem Project
Eighth graders create a digital poem using PowerPoint, Audacity.com, and www.freeplaymusic.com. In this digital poem lesson, 8th graders write and edit original poems. Students utilize figurative language and imagery in poems and review...
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Who Am I?
Students complete an acrostic poem and use digital photo activities for the poem. In this acrostic poem and technology lesson, students use Word Art and digital cameras to create a technology integrated acrostic poem.
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The Poetry of Sculpture
Fourth graders practice writing poetry while examining all types of art. In this art analysis lesson, 4th graders participate in a field trip to a sculpture garden in which they view sculptures and create different forms of poetry...
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A Picture is Worth a Million Words
Learners practice composing digital photographs by documenting activities in their lives. In this photography instructional activity, students utilize digital cameras to create beautiful art from things they find around the campus...
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Minding the Media
Pupils reflect on the fairness of rating movies, television, radio, books, magazines, Web sites and other media. They submit their own entries for a media rating guide.
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Lesson Seven: Watch Out For Pedestrians
Fifth graders practice their reading rate and fluency. In this fluency lesson plan, 5th graders practice speaking fast and slow in a variety of different character roles. They read with a buddy and have their fluency evaluated by their...
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Understanding Idioms
Students explore figurative language. In this idioms lesson, students research the origin of instructor-selected idioms. Students literally interpret the idioms. Interpretations are photographed and then presented to the class.
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Going, Going, Gone
Students investigate how online auctions work and rate the assurances offered by specific auction sites and sellers. They, in groups, evaluate various auction sites, focusing on the site's and seller's predicted reliability; create...
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Mapping Population Changes In The United States
Learners create a choropleth map to illustrate the population growth rate of the United States. They explore how to construct a choropleth map, and discuss the impact of population changes for the future.