National First Ladies' Library
We're off to see the Wizard!
Students explore the process of play and movie making from books. They study the basic elements of drama and write and produce a play based on a chosen theme. Students explain the basic elements of a play by looking at "The Wonderful...
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Under Joni Mitchell's Influence
Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS entitled Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind, examine the concept of influence, and explore how Joni Mitchell and her work have influenced others. Students read, interpret, and analyze her lyrics by...
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Rhythm Stars
Students listen, clap, compose and identify various rhythms. In this rhythm lesson, students practice rhythm with rhythm cards. Students become familiar with stick notation. Students glue Popsicle sticks to illustrate rhythms.
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World's Largest Concert (WLC). Aaron Copland, selected composer
Students explore the life and work of Aaron Copland. . They create a "brochure" about Mr. Copland, one of the composers highlighted in the World's Largest Concert (WLC), and explore and summarize information about the man.
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Trouble With Trolls
Learners listen to The Trouble With Trolls and discuss fables. In this story elements lesson, students work on reading skills. Learners participate in different reading activities.
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Book Trailers
Students develop a list of criteria for a book trailer. In this book trailer lesson plan, students review book trailers, create storyboards and use Photo Story 3 to create book trailers. Students create a mini-webquest to review...
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Violence On TV
Students examine violence on TV. In this data collection instructional activity, students explore TV violence. Students watch TV shows and fill out a checklist about the amount of violence. Students organize and analyze the...
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Laura Ingalls Wilder and Pioneer Life
Fourth graders complete a three-week unit about Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer life. They research the topography of Michigan in the 1870's, conduct Internet research, write journal entries, participate in polka and waltz dancing, and...
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Different! Diverse! Dynamic! Lesson 2: Teaching Peace Through Literature And Song
Learners investigate bullying and discrimination and draw pictures of a personal response to being bullied. They read Thank You, Mr. Falkner by Patricia Polacco, to determine the philosophic act that the main character performs. They...
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Christmas Around the World
Students explore Christmas celebrations in different countries. They create presentations giving information about Christmas celebrations in different countries. They compare and contrast traditional Christmas celebrations around the world.
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Propaganda: Making a Commercial
Seventh graders study different propaganda techniques. In groups, they write and perform a 60-second TV or radio commercial. Classmates rate the effectiveness of the commercial and whether or not they might buy the product.
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It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
Using Alpha Smarts, 3rd graders write a "Story-in-the-Round". The end result of this project is one story for every student in the class that has been written by the entire class. Students create a PowerPoint presentation with a...
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A Differentiated Way through Think Dots
Young scholars examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark...
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Language with Linguistic Legos
Young scholars visualize and manipulate sentences as building blocks, and, given a key, use Legos™ to demonstrate how to construct sentences of variety (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex).
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Trendy T's
Learners consider popular trends, such as rock fashion. They create designs for t-shirts that represent current pop culture and write pitch letters selling their ideas to the clothing industry in the year 2030.
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Outside interview
Students refine their fieldwork skill by conducting interviews. From the position of an outsider, they conduct research and interviews. Student interviews are maintained as a part of a portfolio. Interview kits and assessment...
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What's the Real Story?
Second graders investigate tall tales. In this literature instructional activity, 2nd graders complete a story element worksheet based upon the tall tale of Paul Bunyan. Students create a PowerPoint presentation about a tall tale.
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A Day In the Life of a 4th/5th Grader
Learners design a photo essay. In this photo essay instructional activity, students take digital pictures of their daily activities such as their mode of travel to school, the lunchroom, their classroom and classmates. They choose the...
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Eggs-tra Special Sounds
Students explore different sounds. In this sound lesson, students participate in an egg hunt. The eggs are filled with different materials and hid around the room. Students find the eggs and chart the different sounds they hear. Students...
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The Nile
Students recognize the Nile River played an important role in the lives of ancient Egyptians and still does today. They prepare a newspaper written in English and produced with advanced technology centered around researched information.
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Mexico's Culture
Students compare and contrast the culture of Mexico to the United States. They brainstorm what makes up a culture and develop a model of their own culture. Students explore Mexican music and dance. Additional cross curriculum activities...
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Making CD's from MIDI Compositions
Students complete their own composition (ABA song form, C Major scale, 32-60 measures) using the keyboard and sequencing software on the computer to playback the song. They fill in answers in their workbooks and watch how to transfer...
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Native American Village Days
Students research the tribes of American Indians in Virginia and settled, agricultural tribes in other regions of America. They explain how geography and climate influenced the way various Indian tribes lived, and evaluate the impact of...
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Pitch, Intonation, Harmonic Theory
Students listen to pitches and determine if they are in tune, flat or sharp. Using Aurelia computer software and playing as a band, students practice pitch theory, and play two-octave major scales. They practice and discuss how to tune...