Lesson Plan
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Looking At Illuminated Manuscripts: A Book Of Modern Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine a medieval manuscript on astronomy and create their own books based on modern discoveries in astronomy. They choose a subject of modern astronomy that they would like to write and create an illuminated image about.
Worksheet
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The Renaissance

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Renaissance worksheet, students read a 2 page article covering The Renaissance period, answer 5 facts with multiple choice answers and answer 5 statements true or false.
Lesson Plan
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The Geography of Renaissance

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use the internet to research the geography of the Renaissance. Using maps of Europe, they identify at least three key cities during the time period and discuss the main types of transportation. They research the various customs...
Lesson Plan
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The Lorax Explorations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and debate the purpose of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, analyze its story elements, and write their own The Lorax II.
Lesson Plan
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Great Expectations Character Adoption

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers write a detailed character analysis by adopting a character from the novel, Great Expectations, and become an authority on the character.
Lesson Plan
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DRYWALL CARVING

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students study relief sculpture and architectural elements, discuss Egyptian hieroglyphics and relief sculptures that can be seen on Roman and Greek structures, and create a relief sculpture using drywall.
Lesson Plan
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Songwriting

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students watch the "The Greatest TV Moments: Sesame Street Music A to Z" video and brainstorm what the songs may be about. They choose a theme for a song, write a short topic-related poem, and compose music for it.
Lesson Plan
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Shange's Novel Betsey Brown & Jazz

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a work of fiction and investigate literary values and structure of the work. They demonstrate understanding of the family values, cultural and historical context of the novel;
Lesson Plan
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Behind the Music 2000

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss copyright issues and how technological advancements have affected music.
Lesson Planet Article
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Better Your Vocabulary Instruction

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Use the magic squares activity to develop vocabulary and make reviewing target words fun!
Lesson Plan
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Life of a Chinese Emperor Through Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create an invitation to the Chinese Emperor Qianlong's birthday party using historical knowledge of the Emperor and customary practices of the time. This lesson suggests using Microsoft Publisher for creation of invitations.
Lesson Plan
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Illuminated Text

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the technique of ancient decorative gilding used to support literature. They begin by tracing letters onto double tack release paper, then place onto cardstock before burnishing with a Simple Leaf sheet. Opaque Blick...
Lesson Plan
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Earth Day - Bursting Beans

For Teachers K - 6th
Students fill jars with dried beans and water, cover the jars, and wait to see what happens in this excellent Science experiment ideal for Earth Day (April 22nd). Emphasis is placed on discovering the reactions of seeds to water.
Lesson Plan
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Mary, Queen of Scots: Heroine or Harlot?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explain how international politics, religion, and cultural beliefs influenced the life of Mary Queen of Scots. They watch a film about Mary, Queen of Scots and participate in a discussion and variety of extension activities.
Lesson Plan
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Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the tragic life and career of Vincent Van Gogh. Plagued by madness and depression, Van Gogh nevertheless produced revolutionary works of art that are worth millions today.
Lesson Plan
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ARTQUARIUM

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify different underwater creatures, explain the importance of recycling in the community, plan preliminary sketches on paper, and construct and sculpt with chosen materials to create creature in paper mache.
Lesson Plan
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The Extra Place Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take up the challenge of deciding what to do when confronted by a difficult and awkward situation. They read the story and highlight sentences or phrases that have particular meaning to them and think about and discuss a...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
Lesson Plan
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Methods of Mystery

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students utilize the scientific method to discover the age of an item.  In this historical dating instructional activity, students compare and contrast a 400 year old cabinet to one made within a few years by using carbon dating....
Lesson Plan
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Mesoamerican Codex Books

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders recreate Mesoamerican Codex Books using brown paper bags, paints, glue, an iron, and books on Mesoamerican Glyphs in this 5th grade lesson in the Art classroom. Resource links and book references are provided for lesson...
Lesson Plan
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A Kids Guide to...

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students look into their community's historical changes. In this community activity, students see what draws  people to their community and research important buildings or national historic sites. They look at local architecture and...
Lesson Plan
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Fossil Fantastic

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students collect found objects, including leaves, twigs, and buttons, and create hand-made "fossils" in this 2-day lesson for the 7th and 8th grade Science or Art classroom. This is a great cross-curricular exploration of fossils and...
Lesson Plan
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Life Science- Useful Waste

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the topic of waste and recycling. In this useful waste lesson plan, 4th graders classify objects and sort them into most usable and least usable categories. Students complete an activity sheet and have a discussion...
Lesson Plan
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Scarecrow Recycled

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create their own scarecrows. In this recycling instructional activity, students discuss the purpose of scarecrows and discuss how they are constructed. Students make their own scarecrows out of recycled materials.