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Semantic Webbing
Students reflect upon the last four weeks in a review session involving semantic webbing. They offer opinions, likes, and dislikes about the instructional activity. They will discuss the instruction and evaluate the information presented.
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Journalism Career Pathway Unit
Students explore a career in journalism while using various forms of technology; such as, distance learning via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) and the Internet. They have the opportunity to create a final project that is based...
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A River Runs Through It
Students solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical, and...
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An Introduction to Poetry Using Color
Students complete a variety of poems that focus on many different literary techniques and styles. As part of this experience, students share their portfolios with adults in the school and at home.
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Spanish Artists in Powerpoint
Students select a Spanish author, architect, or painter to research. After composing a rough draft for teacher review, the give Powerpoint presentations to the class. Students answer questions from peers.
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Design a Book Cover
Students use the programs Pics4Learning and ImageBlender 3 to apply their knowledge of characters, plot, setting, symbolism, and conflict to design and create a book cover. Designed as a culminating literature activity.
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Contrast Listening
Learners listen to two different excerpts of the same music piece. In groups, they collectively write descriptions of the tempo and dynamics of the piece and assign a color to the music. They relate the color chosen to the tempo and...
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Examining Conflicts At Camp Green Lake
Students complete an essay documenting a conflict present in the novel Holes. They define the six types of literary discussion as a class. After identifying one of these types of conflicts in the novel, students write a five paragraph...
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Zero The Hero, Trout The Lout
Students use a graphic organizer create a character sketch of Trout Walker from the novel Holes. Using the provided worksheet, students fill in the important character traits of Trout. Worksheet and answer key are provided with the...
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Write into Fantasy, Humor and Suspense
Learners discuss the characteristics of several different writing genres. They are given a prompt to and work in groups to continue writing in the style of a humorous, fantasy or suspense story. They share their stories with the class.
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Where Is Your Story Set?
Students explore the concept of setting in literature by identifying their own current setting, and imagining what their ideal setting would be. They read a piece of literature, identify the setting and record the information on a chart.
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Persuasion and Figurative Language
Students study and discuss definitions of metaphor, simile, and personification. In small groups, they read a section of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and identify those devices. The group presents their examples with the class.
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List Poetry
First graders create a list poem using the letters of their names. They describe themselves in the poems, present them and publish a class poetry book.
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Anticipatory Set Picture Walk
The teacher models a Picture Walk by using a "think aloud" method while reading a picture book to the class. On the second day, 3rd graders use a worksheet as a guide for a second picture walk. This time, students complete the "think...
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Social Studies: Population Distribution
Students create a population distribution map of Goodland Island indicating where people live by marking the locations with dots. After reading a written description of the island, they write short paragraphs explaining and justifying...
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Dirty Dan Isn't Dull!
Students read smoothly and expressively while noticing punctuation and using voice inflection to emphasize important words and phrases in the text. They listen to and reread a poem in small groups. Students discuss how the poem sounds...
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Middle School Writing: Semester Goals
Seventh graders practice their writing skills by identifying their goals for the semester. They write an essay of four paragraphs and then combine all the information into one. As a class, they create a contract for each of them to use...
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Careers in Marketing
Students examine careers in marketing and prepare "personal portfolios" containing their research. Using the Eureka program, they complete assignment sheets and select careers to research. Students include in their portfolios information...
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Can We Live in Peace? Middle East: A Region in Turmoil
Seventh graders analyze three monotheistic religions as an appreciation of the Middle East. For this world religions lesson, 7th graders analyze the beliefs and the leaders of the three major religions. Students research a topic and...
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Delivering a Persuasive Speech
Learners demonstrate the appropriate classroom public speaking and listening skills that would be necessary to influence or change someone's mind or way of thinking about a topic. They define the elements of persuasion and recognize the...
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Writing Headlines
Young scholars define the purpose of headlines and practice writing their own. For this news writing lesson, students define the elements of headlines and view examples. Young scholars read a news story in groups and create a headline...
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Writing Own Tale
Third graders read The First Strawberries and complete a character chart. In this writing a tale instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss viewpoints and identify character traits. Students complete character charts and write...
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Cesar Chavez Biopoem
Students demonstrate their learning about Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union by writing a biopoem. They word process the poem.
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Create Your School Lunch Menu
Pupils develop their own school menu with as many healthy choices as possible. They keep a journal of what they eat on one day and then research nutrition. They present their new menu to the judging committee.