Pennsylvania Department of Education
Analyzing Key Ideas and Details in Nonfiction
Students explore nonfiction texts. In this language arts lesson, students read a nonfiction text and make predictions. Students identify facts and opinions in the text and draw conclusions as they read.
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A Little Mystery and Intrigue in Writing Short Detective Stories
Students read and analyze the twelve short stories in the novel "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." They create their own detective that has to solve a new kind of crime, and write and edit a short story with their original detective as...
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The Inuksuk: Symbolism and Cultural Identity Lesson Plan
Students create their own inuksuk (stone formation). In this Inuit lesson, students discuss the culture of the people and the symbolism behind their inuksuks. They create their own stone formation from outside materials.
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Making Predictions by Analyzing Key Ideas and Details
Young scholars make predictions. In this language arts lesson plan, students read nonfiction texts and make predictions about what they are going to read. Young scholars confirm and revise their predictions as they read the text.
Curriculum
Expository Writing
The beauty of the way this expository writing resource is structured is that the units can be presented as a complete writing workshop or sequenced throughout a course of study
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Main Idea and Supporting Details
Eighth graders identify the main idea and supporting details in paragraphs. In this language arts lesson, 8th graders review organizational patterns in paragraphs and determine which pattern is best for a given situation. Individually,...
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My Living Arrangements
Students identify various housing options, focusing on rental vs. purchase and short vs. long term. With a partner, students discuss their housing situation. Once their discussion is complete, students write a brief paragraph weighing...
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China and Communism
Sixth graders discuss what might happen if United States government took over media ownership, read Junior Scholastic article entitled "China Looks to the Future," and create chart comparing Chinese Communist government to United States...
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"Size 6: The Western Women's Harem" by Fatema Mernissi
Intended for a mature, advanced placement audience, this set of questions accompanies an essay by Fatema Mernissi regarding clothing size and the possible implications for not fitting in with what is considered the norm. A very...
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Writing: Stay High and Dry
Students write an effective conclusion for their essay. In this conclusion lesson students restate the thesis of their paper and summarize three important points. Students then write a final statement to wrap up their...
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The Effects of Volcanoes
Students use the internet to research the effects of volcanoes. They create a chart showing the negative and positive aspects that a volcanoe can bring to an area. Using PowerPoint, they create a presentation showing the negative and...
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Classroom Charter
Students compare and contrast rights and responsibilities in a written paragraph. They create a charter of rights to be applied in the classroom, and identify four of those rights in written form.
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Aiken-Rhett House
Third graders visit the Rhett-Aiken House and discuss the people who lived there. They compare and contrast the lives of slaves who lived there. They practice using new vocabulary and examine the Gullah language and culture.
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Cultura: Vias de Conciencia Ambiental
Students discuss what house and home represent in this country and read an article from a Venezuelan newspaper about environmental awareness. They create a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts environmental awareness and responsibility.
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Science: Making Career Connections
Students explore careers in oceanography. They compare and contrast requirements for careers in the field, and determine what high school courses would help to prepare them. Finally, they create a computer-based project related to...
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Julian Secret Agent: Commas
Your class participates in a variety of shared reading and writing activities related to the book Julian Secret Agent. They complete a class story chart, examine how to use punctuation for dialogue, write an alternative...
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Immigration
Second graders read about immigration from their text. They select one culture and identify characteristics of the group. Students complete a graphic organizer (included with the lesson). They recall and list various aspects of their...
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Gender in the Classroom by Deborah Tannen
Bring some informational text into your high school classroom with this worksheet. As your pupils read Gender in the Classroom by Deborah Tannen, provide them with this analysis sheet. They study specific quotations and sections of the...
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"The Chase" Reading Questions
"The Chase," a chapter from Annie Dillard's autobiography, details an iceball project the narrator and her friends used to play. After your class reads the chapter, give them this reading assessment. Provided here are five short-answer...
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What Are the Issues?
Investigate and report on three issues related to a current election. Elementary aged learners research information about specific issues, develop an opinion, and write a persuasive essay using supporting details and evidence to support...
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Factors To Consider When Looking For Housing
Students discuss their housing options and factors which affect housing costs. Using the newspaper as a resource, students compare and contrast the prices of housing options. Working with partners, students compare and contrast their...
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Asian Studies Unit Korea
Students conduct research about different Asian countries. The research is done in order to compare and contrast the different land areas and cultures. Students complete a writing assessment related to it.
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Morning Girl
Fifth graders read the novel "Morning Girl" by Michael Dorris. Using the text, they compare and contrast the two cultures, Arawak and Taino in the novel and research the landing of Columbus in San Salvador. They create a family tree...
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Types of Societies
Students compare and contrast the societies of India and the United States by creating a chart. In groups, they give examples of each type of classification. They present their material to the class while identifying the role of the...