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Growing a Story
Students discover how to grow their own story from a single idea. They create a list of fairy-tale items, such as magic wands, glass slippers, pumpkin coaches, and magic beans. They choose a single item from the class list and answer ...
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Second graders study folktales and their characteristics. After brainstorming what they know about Africa, 2nd graders read a book about mosquitoes. In groups, students develop a graphic organizer about the characteristics of the...
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Dodging Responsibility
Students explore responsibility. For this character education lesson, students review the definition of responsibility and brainstorm possible consequences of taking responsibility and not taking responsibility. Student's thoughts...
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Mardi Gras Madness
CStudents create a sensory chart in on the topic of Mardi Gras. They design a brainstorm web using Inspiration and complete creative writing assignment. Students write a poem about Mardi Gras that is presented to the class at the final...
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The Great Gatsby
Eleventh graders investigate the concept of the American Dream. They use the novel "The Great Gatsby" as an example from literature. Students brainstorm in order to define the American Dream.
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Indian Reservation Haiku Poem
Students examine and write about the relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations. They view and discuss primary source photographs, brainstorm for details and emotions in a small group, and write a Haiku poem about the...
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"Ode to the Bluebonnet"
Fourth graders create an acrostic poem using the word "bluebonnet" They brainstorm adjectives and descriptive phrases for the bluebonnet and its habitat. They read The Legend of the Bluebonnet, by Tomie de Paola. students integrate...
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Making a Peanut Butter Sandwich
Students give their teacher directions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In this direction lesson plan, students brainstorm the day before on the items they will need.
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Photo Essay
Learners examine the process of writing a photo essay. They examine and select a personal photo or photo from a magazine, and brainstorm a story that can go with the photo. They identify an emotion to go with their picture, then write...
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Reading Paintings, Drawing Words
Students consider an art exhibit comprised of words that tell stories and create their own original pieces of art.
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I'm Special Books
Students become aware of the concept that each of us is special. They develop an appreciation for the special things that each can do now, and begin to develop early literacy skills. Each student creates a book about themselves and...
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Defining Caring
Students define the word care and discover the importance of caring for others. In this character education instructional activity, students work as a class to brainstorm synonyms for care. Learners write a list of 5 things or people...
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The Sorcerers Shown
Students consider the different genres of literary and movie characters. For this character types lesson, students brainstorm character genres from books and movies. Students read the article 'Which Wizard Beats 'Em All?' and develop...
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Who Works for Nonprofits?
Learners explore career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. In this character development and career lesson, students identify job opportunities in a nonprofit organization and research the necessary skills needed for these jobs. ...
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Spend, Save or Donate
Learners identify the difference between spending, saving, and donating. They brainstorm reasons to give and options to donate. They sing a song about donating to charity.
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From Graphic Organizer to Comparison
Fifth graders brainstorm a variety of topics for writing. As a class, learners create four types of graphic organizers on selected topics. They discuss how to use graphic organizer in constructing a written paragraph.
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China CultureQuest
Pupils use the internet and other tools to examine the culture of China. In groups, they brainstorm a list of topics they want to know more about and practice writing Chinese letters. They create a collage to show the class what...
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Revision Activities
In this revision activities worksheet, students plot the development of tension throughout the book, answer seven questions about plot, analyze characters and theme, and discuss the writing style of the author. Students answer ten short...
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Internalizing Group Norms
Young scholars consider how to internalize group norms. They descirbe a situation where people internalize group norms and a situation where people do not internalize group norms. They brainstorm examples of group norms and define...
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Social Institutions and Needs
Students examine a list of societal needs and select one to research. After brainstorming a list of institutions that try to meet that need, they select two to examine in detail. Through interviews, students collect information and...
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Writing to Argue
Students write an argument using a clear structure and argumentative techniques. In this persuasive writing lesson, students brainstorm, write, and peer edit an argumentative essay. Worksheets include the prompt, facts and quotes, and a...
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Courageous Heroes
Learners investigate the concept of a hero. In this character education lesson, students define courage and discuss heroes they know. Learners brainstorm ways to describe a hero and create an acrostic poem.
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Words Can Hurt: King Day
Students explore stereotyping. In this moral and character development lesson, students share reactions to a T-chart displaying what boys can do and girls can not do. Martin Luther King's accomplishments are discussed, and students...
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Poe ... in the Real World?
Eleventh graders work in groups to choose a project/presentation from a list of approved activities to develop. They select and use appropriate software for organizing and refining their product. Groups produce a short...