Syracuse City School District
Reading Comprehension Unit Plan
A unit plan uses short texts to teach literary elements such as theme and characterization. Included are passages by authors such as Walter Dean Myers and Sandra Cisneros. Activities include quick writes, filling in graphic organizers,...
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Definition Poems
“Hope is a tissue, wiping away your problems and fears.” Use a Definition Poem Web worksheet to model for your class how to craft a free verse poem based on an emotion. After brainstorming topics, groups use the sheet to make comparisons...
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Japanese Abstract Wind Sock
Students use paper bags to create a Japanese wind sock with original abstract art.
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Christmas Ornaments
In this Christmas craft worksheet, learners create an ornament by following the directions given. By cutting, coloring, and folding, students make a present ornament.
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NOVA scienceNOW-Profile: Brothers Chudnovsky: Moving Images
Students examine digital images of the Unicorn tapestry. They discover why the Chodnovsky brothers had a difficult time piecing together digital scans of three-by-three-foot sections of ancient tapestry.
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In the Desert
Students explore earth science by completing several environment activities. In this desert lesson, students identify where the U.S. deserts are and what types of wild life inhabit them. Students utilize arts and crafts to create a...
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Create, Design, and Invent with Plastic
Students explore creative ways to reuse materials. For this ecology/art lesson, students create artwork using trash. Students view examples of folk art from around the world that used waste products as a main component.
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Exploding Cheeseburgers
Students identify the components of a healthy diet. For this nutrition lesson, students discuss the parts of a cheeseburger and identify the food groups the cheeseburger is a part of. Students discuss how carbohydrates and proteins are...
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Colored Sand Creation
Students utilize beach materials to create an art project. In this arts and crafts lesson, students utilize chalk, glue, sand and markers to create a beach style design. Students utilize different colored sands to create...
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Jungle Vines
Students utilize their artistic senses to create jungle vines. In this arts and crafts lesson, students create jungle vines using green and brown fabric and scissors. Students hang their vines from the class ceiling to...
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Andrea Zittel
Students examine the themes of isolation and simplicity in Andrea Zittel's art. They discuss what is necessary and sufficient on a month-long island stay and design functional and artistic items with Zittel's philosophy in mind.
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Christmas Ornament
Learners createChristmas ornaments. For this art activity, students use clothespins, ribbon, cloth, popsicle sticks and other art supplies to create Christmas ornaments.
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Harp Of Gold
Students create "Harp" pictures using harp shapes, shoe box lids, paints, old sheet music, and inspiration from Harp music in this inter-disciplinary Art and Music lesson for the elementary classroom. Resource links are included for...
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Pine Cone Owls
Students create pine cone owls. In this visual arts lesson, students use a pine cone, acorns, glue, and feathers to create an owl pine cone. Students may use paint to decorate their project.
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Street Safety
Students explore fire safety rules through a variety of teacher-led activities. In this safety lesson, students choose appropriate felt board pieces as they listen to My Car by Byron Barton. Seat belt and car seat safety, as well as...
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Magazine Holder
Students investigate ways to save our environment by creating a recycled product. In this sustainable materials lesson, students create a magazine holder by recycling a large cardboard box and gift wrap or wallpaper. Students...
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Pocket Partner
Students create pocket partners. In this visual arts lesson, students use old jeans pockets to make magnetic pocket holders. A game, a song, a craft, and a recipe are all included with the lesson.
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Earth Day Egg Heads
Students grow their own egg heads. In this Earth Day lesson, students use egg cartons and egg shells to plant egg heads that can be moved to bigger gardens. A game, a song, a craft, and a recipe are all included with the lesson to...
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Shamrock Spelling
Review spelling skills by learning about the history of shamrocks. Learners use a picture of a shamrock to practice spelling three letter words. One letter goes on each shamrock leaf. It is a way to engage your kinesthetic learners.
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Fairy Tale
Have your class take a look at this picture of a knight, ladies, and a castle to get ideas for a fairy tale. Learners can discuss their ideas for a story based on this prompt, write them down, and then craft their own stories. This...
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Lesson Plan 12: Writing With All Your Senses
What does an ice cream sundae sound like? Challenge young writers to move beyond visual descriptions and craft details that appeal to all five senses. The examples provided by the script in this resource show pupils how to create rich...
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Story of Self-Choosing to Participate
Everyone has a story; help your writers develop their own with this prewriting packet. Designed for upstanders to share their story and encourage others to be upstanders, this set of questions helps writers craft and structure a story to...
English Enhanced Scope and Sequence
Media Literacy with Focus of Strategies for Collaboration
Introduce your class to literary analysis with a series of activities that has them examine book and movie reviews. Groups then draft their own review of a text, select a digital medium, and craft a presentation.
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Researching Skills: Researching on the Web
How do researchers narrow their searches so that they get the most useful and accurate information available? This essential question is at the heart of the activities suggested by a research skills worksheet. Tips include how to craft...