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Jingles Sell
Students explore the different persuasive techniques used in commercial and print advertisements. Students then analyze a variety of print ads and discuss the effects of a country's political, economic, and social climates on its...
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School Day
Young scholars participate in a lesson that involves writing a persuasive essay. They use the prompt of "extending the school day". The paper should contain correct elements of sentence structure with clear purpose that is supported with...
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Alliterations Allowed
Fourth graders recognize and create alliterative language in both literary and commercial use. For this language arts lesson, 4th graders analyze pieces of poetry and focus on the use of imagery, personification, and figures of speech.
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The Night Chanter Project
Students sketch a design based on "The Night Chanter." In this art design lesson, students listen to the Native American prayer, "The Night Chanter" and illustrate their personal vision of the chant. Students critique the sketches and...
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Role Models, Fantasy vs. Reality
Students explore the qualities of a hero. Through a class discussion, they compare and contrast a reality hero to a fantasy super hero. Students watch television commercials and identify the influences in them. They determine positive...
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Inventions, Puppets, and Commercials
Fourth graders, in groups, invent a product to sell, create a commercial for it using a stick puppet they make.
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Food, Glorious Food?
How are the reactions between American and European consumers different when it comes to genetically modified foods? Use the New York Times article "Consumers in Europe Resist Gene-Altered Foods" to inform your middle schoolers about the...
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Acting Like a Third Grader (Part 1)
Third graders, after brainstorming the positive and negative types of behaviors, become aware of the right and wrong way to behave as a third grader. They perform a skit that demonstrates the skills and behaviors used by third grade...
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It's Magic: Understanding the Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements of Workers
Fifth graders investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. Then they break into groups to complete the training and education for two careers selected from a listing in the lesson....
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Which vs. That in Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses
Should you use which or that when using a restrictive clause? What about a non-restrictive clause? Young writers practice their grammar skills with this resource, which provides a straightforward guide to which vs. that, as well as ten...
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Everyone's a Critic: Analyzing Sitcoms as Cultural Texts
Start by defining the word sitcom with the goal of launching a discussion. What exactly is a sitcom? How is a sitcom different from sketch comedy, drama, and reality television? Class members give examples, remember storylines they've...
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Selling Solutions
Students identify, design and present specific information to sell their idea for reducing the impacts of climate change. Students create a television or print advertisement. Students utilize technology to create a final project....
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Fact V. Opinion
Students use statements out of newpapers to distinguish between facts and opinions. They discuss these differences as well.
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Identifying Features of Nonfiction Text
Learners explore nonfiction text. They identify the cover, title page, and table of contents of a nonfiction book. Pupils work in groups to create a chapter for a nonfiction class book about heroes.
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We Love to Read Bulletin Board
Young artists create a bulletin board based on books they have read. They complete a book report and share the information with the class, and use different types of technology to help finish the board.
Smarter Balanced
The Internet
The Internet and how it has changed our lives is the focus of a series of activities that prepares learners for the performance task assessment on the influence of the Internet. Groups also brainstorm devices such as phone and cars that...
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Commemorating a Tragedy
Learners read newspaper articles and watch segments on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. In groups, they discuss how each media outlet presented the material and decide which one was more productive. As a class, they discuss...
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Give Yourself Some Credit
Eighth graders identify information and skills necessary to transition to high school. They complete a graphic organizer comparing middle school and high school. They discuss earning credits and specific requirements for graduation from...
Learning Links
The Josefina Story Quilt Study Guide
Considering using The Josefina Story Quilt in your classroom? Check out this sample teaching guide for a list of pre-reading activities.
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Essay Exchange Unit: Final Drafts
Learners develop final versions of their position papers and add them to the school's web pages for review and feedback.
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Peddling Puccini
Students explore the art of the opera. They listen to examples of opera and conduct research to find out more about the opera world. Then they develop advertisements that focus on aspects that might interest young people about opera...
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Study Unit 4, Revised: Run-On Sentences, Comma Splices and Fragments
In this language arts learning exercise, students read 20 sentences and look for errors. Students write R if the sentence is run-on, CS if there is a comma splice, F for a sentence fragment and C for a correct sentence.
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Mixed Media Messages: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Students examine the process of recycling by creating a mock television commercial about recycling. In this recycling lesson, students watch an animated demonstration about recycling and answer content questions. Students play an online...
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Health Education: Advertising
Fourth graders become conscientious consumers. In this personal health lesson plan, 4th graders analyze techniques used in advertising health-related products and services.