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Cashing In on Cartoons
Students examine the popularity of cartoon characters in marketing strategies. They work on developing their own cartoon characters that could be used for a licensing plan.
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Mixed Blessings
Students investigate the recent federal appeals court decision finding the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. They further investigate the notions of constitutionality and separation between church and state by analyzing a patriotic...
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Rewrite, Revise, Recycle
Students examine different pieces of literature that have a similiar theme. They read an article about reusing ideas for television shows. They work together to create their own program proposals. They also create backstories for one of...
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Describe My City
Students explore the functions of cities by creating a visual image of their own neighborhood. Students diagram, list, and label the major businesses and cultural areas of the neighborhood where they grew up, then write a letter to a...
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Coral Bleaching: Making Our Oceans Whiter
Students study coral reefs and the controversy over coral bleaching. They role-play a debate over the issue and come up with a compromise to protect the reefs and the economies that depend on them.
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Sense-itive Issues
Students consider the difficulties of adapting to the loss of different senses. They work in small groups, each developing a fictional superhero who experiences a loss of one of sense and must compensate for it with his or her other senses.
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Playing with History
Learners consider the elements that make computer games compelling, then use these elements to develop game 'narratives' based on historic events.
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Mission Possible
Students create blueprints for imaginary inventions based on real-world technological principles. They write explanations of how their inventions work in the form of movie dialogues.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Fifth graders participate in a variety of math and language arts activities based on chocolate.
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For Richer or for Poorer
Learners read about one cross-class marriage and create scenes to dramatize interactions among the family members and consider how class shapes relationships. They imagine the issues faced by cross-class couples by writing a short story.
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Members Only
Students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of private communities and the lives led by their residents. They design ideal planned communities for people featured in other Class Matters articles.
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Performance Evaluation
Students evaluate in class performance of music previously prepared by the ensemble. The rubric and assessment criteria are adaptable to any orchestra setting which allows the teacher to choose music to be assessed. Critical thinking...
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Child Labour in developing countries
Young scholars explore the idea of global citizenship. Students examine the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child worldwide. Young scholars analyze facts about UNICEF's National Non-Uniform Day.
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Keith Haring & Social Awareness
Students view four sections of one of Haring's paintings. They describe the people and characters they see. Students participate in a variety of classroom art activities such as: Making a treasure box modeled after Keith Haring's work,...
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Environment and Recycling Issues
First graders read and understand the text found while conducting internet research. They recognize how literature records information and reflects the human experience. Students also compare and contrast answers to questions. Then...
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Get Ready, Set, Go
First graders learn the importance of listening carefully and why to follow oral directions carefully by playing Simon Says. They learn the importance of waiting your turn.
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Giving: Putting the Pieces Together
Fourth graders examine the gifts they might give to friends and family. They choose personal mementos to give and consider the limits of their gift-giving circle.
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Let's Put a Spin on Things: Graffiti Role Play
Fourth graders examine what is and what isn't graffiti. They role-play various scenarios, research the Graffiti Hurts website, and discuss when graffiti should be reported to local law enforcement.
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Take Care of Your Computer Poster and/or Slide Show
Students discuss taking care of technical devices. In groups, students illustrate each point and write a few words about it using KidPix. They print out results and mount on a large poster.
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The Giving Chair
Students practice giving compliments to each other. They sit in a special chair and states something nice about a classmate. They practice giving compliments at home as well.
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American and Patriotic Symbols
Students study the concept of symbolism. Many students know what the
different patriotic symbols are, but they do not know why these things
symbolize patriotism. They identify classic American symbols, explain why they are symbols and...
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Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities of Community Members
Students identify the roles, rights and responsibilities of a specific community. They conduct research, brainstorm ideas and prepare an illustrated booklet to present the gathered information.
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Space Exploration Narrative
Fourth graders role-play a space exploration. They read scripts detailing an astronaut's journey on a space exploration. They discuss how it felt to be an astronaut, the emotions, moods and feelings of going on a space exploration.
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Characters' Coming of Age
Students develop older versions of child or adolescent characters from favorite works of literature, adapting them for teenage or adult sequels. They each outline a sequel and write its first chapter.