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Applying Elements of the Graphic Novel to Traditional Literature
The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan, provides a series of exercises designed to be used with a reading of the graphic novel version of Hosseini’s The Kite Runner....
Curated OER
Jimmy Carter: Civic Action, Lesson 2
Build on high schoolers' awareness of what's wrong with society. Here they examine Jimmy Carter's extensive involvement in volunteer action in the local, national, and global arenas. Define and explore concepts -- philanthropy, citizen,...
Curated OER
Questions of Courage
Examine discrimination. In this character education lesson, learners read two biographies, Vivien Naki and Hamilton Naki then analyze their personal discrimination experiences. They complete a Venn diagram to compare and...
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Promote Nonviolence
Take a look at the topic of violence as seen in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Discuss together the values that Atticus holds and brainstorm ways to combat violence in a similar manner to what he portrays in the novel. Get your...
Curated OER
The Language of Human Rights
Did you know that there are 15.2 million refugees in the world? High schoolers will read "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and learn how they can get involved to lower this surprising number. To really encourage involvement,...
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Take a Deep Breath: Air Today, Air Tomorrow
This is the introductory lesson in a series about air quality. Why is it so important that we breathe clean air? How can we make sure we're keeping our air clean? A discussion is the central idea of the lesson, and example questions are...
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Equal Rights for Men?
Study the issue of gender bias in court cases with a resource that ponders the extent of gender equality. Learners examine cultural images of men and women and examine court cases dealing issues such as women in the military.
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Poetry for the Common Good
Students identify examples of philanthropy in poetry or song. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine several poems such as Give by Carrie A. Thomas and identify concepts of philanthropy in the poem. Students construct their own...
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I am a Hero for Animals!
Students explore the humane treatment of animals. In this character development and civic responsibility lesson plan, students define "hero" and brainstorm related attributes. Students complete an action plan using the "rational...
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The Hopi Indians
Fourth graders read and look at maps of the Hopi Indians and compare and contrast their lives with the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders learn about different cultures and answer short answer questions.
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People of the Desert
Young scholars study the importance of caring for desert water sources. In this desert instructional activity, students investigate water resources that are available in deserts. They listen to a read aloud about the Sonoran Desert...
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Community Helpers
Students brainstorm jobs that are a part of their community and decide whether or not the jobs are "for profit" or "not-for-profit." They draw a person doing his/her job and include the correct uniform, tools, etc. that the person would...
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Keyboard and the Grand Staff
Students explore the treble and bass staffs, naming the lines, spaces, and locating middle C. Individually, students complete a word game and then compare their answers with a partner. They sight-read the grand staff and explore ways...
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Turning Literature into News
Students examine the newspaper. In this writing purposes instructional activity, students read the newspaper and discuss the purpose: to inform, entertain and persuade. Students identify facts and opinions. Students write an article and...
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We Need More Than Money
Students identify examples of private resources. In this philanthropy lesson, students read the book A Chair for My Mother and identify the private resources the characters used in the text. Students name private resources that can help...
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PULSE: A STOMP Odyssey (6-8)
Students examine how non-profit organizations support the arts. In this non-profit lesson, students learn how foundations provide funding that supports arts in a community which contributes to the common good. They watch the movie...
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Giving From the Heart: Art From the Heart
Students examine how art contributes to the common good. In this common good lesson plan, students participate in an interactive read aloud of Jeff Brumbeau, Quiltmaker's Gift. They act out the story and talk about how "Art from the...
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Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Students complete various activities to investigate farm animals. In this farm animals lesson, students sing the song 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm,' and listen to sounds farm animals make. Students color pictures for farm animals and...
Speak Truth to Power
Harry Wu: Forced Labor
Over the course of two class periods, young historians explore human rights issues; specifically, forced labor in China. This resource provides everything you need, including relevant vocabulary, an anticipatory activity, and a...
Center for Civic Education
The Power of Nonviolence: What Is Nonviolence? What Does It Cost?
Your young learners will delve into the language of primary source documents in order to identify the characteristics, benefits, and costs of nonviolence. The lesson includes a mix of activities, including an anticipatory activity,...
Latin America Network Information Center
Urbanization
Brazil's population has been changing dramatically in the last century. Study the causes of Brazilian urbanization, including industrialization and and migration, and the implications for the country of the populations'...
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Garden For Life
Students are read a story about a girl their age helping others. They discover they can have a positive impact on others. They decide on a project related to literature that benefits the school or community.
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Lesson Plan for English-Using Negatives in a Sentence
Students explore "negatives" in English grammar. In this grammar lesson, students generate a list of "negative" words such as "not" and "nowhere." Students listen to the teacher read examples of sentences with double negatives, identify...
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Preparation -- The Right Way to Help and FOrm for Poetic Reflection
Students prepare for their service learning project by listening to a representative from the Lake Michigan Federation. They volunteer their time to clean up the coast line. They reflect on the event by writing a poem about their...