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Cabeza de Vaca Meets the Coahuiltecans
Seventh graders examine Cabeza de Vaca's journal and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They, in groups, design posters that portray the culture of the Coahuiltecan Indians in Texas during the 16th century.
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Ways to Prevent the Spread of Pathogens
Fifth graders discuss the ways to prevent the spread of pathogens. In groups, they use the internet to research the ways to prevent disease from spreading. They use this information to create a poster and share the information with the...
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Afghanistan: A Rich History
Students study events in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s. They discuss the role of the international community in the rise of the Taliban to power, and consider what can be learned from our country's involvement in Afghanistan.
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Clustering
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of clustering. In groups, they use their new science vocabulary words to put into a web or cluster. To end the lesson plan, they read a book related to electricity and write the definitions of...
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Governance
Students explore government by researching Native American history. In this First Nations culture instructional activity, students define the Aboriginal action of speaking in a circle as a group. Students discuss their likes and dislikes...
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Aerobic Frisbee Golf
Students work cooperatively as a team and accurately throw a Frisbee. In addition, students explore fitness components and different systems of the human body.
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Solving Science Mysteries
Students choose a science-related mystery to investigate such as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. They, in groups, research theories and give a persuasive talk presenting the theory they feel to be most likely.
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History on Film: Creating Heritage Moments
Fifth graders examine significant events in fur trade history. In small groups, they conduct research, develop and write a script, and create a videotaped "Heritage Moment."
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ESL Poetry Unit
Students complete a twelve lesson unit on poetry. They read and respond to different forms of poetry, write a bio poem, complete an online WebQuest, and in small groups present lessons to the class on various types of poems.
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Native Americans
Fifth graders discover that different Native American groups had different ways of living because of their environment. They discuss with the teacher to learn that different environments have different food choices. They then research a...
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Decades
Students work cooperatively to research the people, places, events, and things that represent their assigned decade. They creatively, write and present ten minute dramatizations of information about their assigned decade.
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Understanding Primary Sources
Students draw conclusions from primary sources and share information and interpretations with a small group. They are introduced to the Jigsaw technique. Students discuss why a grocery receipt would be a primary source. They...
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Introduction to Fractions Using Cuisenaire Rods
Fifth graders use Cuisenaire rods in order to discover how to represent fractions with real objects. In this instructional activity on fractions, 5th graders first examine and learn the colors, lengths, and numerical values of each rod;...
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Dance Cards
Students choreograph a simple dance and have experience performing. students choose their own groups-usually of about 3-4, or assign the groups. Each group receives one dance card. They are to decide the order in which to do the steps.
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Basic Features of a Civilization
Middle schoolers, in groups, identify items they would want to take with them to a deserted island. They present their ideas to the class and explain how they relate to the eight features of civilization. They consider this exercise in...
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Roll On
Second graders, in groups, develop models to show how forces such as gravity, friction, equal, unequal forces and change in direction work on marbles.
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Totally Us
Students create unique biographies. In this Totally Joe lesson, students read the James Howe book and then collaborate to write name biographies in small groups.
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You Are Uniquely You
Students discover their unique attributes and complete a group service project. In this service project lesson, students work in groups to define an audience, create a service project based on boosting the audience's confidence, and then...
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Pigs Will Be Pigs
Students practice adding money after reading a story. In this economics lesson, students read the book Pigs Will be Pigs by Amy Axelrod, and examine how decimals, dollar signs, and adding money is used when making a purchase....
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Mesoamerican Cultures
Students compare and contrast the Mayan and Aztec cultures. In this Mesoamerican cultures lesson plan, students visit classroom stations that feature the landmarks, popular foods, and gods of the 2 cultures. Students discuss their...
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Media Awareness: Helping a Product Cross the Finish Line
Students develop critical thinking skills to understand and create advertisements. In this journalism lesson, students analyze the elements necessary for effective advertisements and work in cooperative groups to create and present...
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Butterfly Round-Up
Students classify the characteristics of butterflies and moths moths. In this life cycle lesson, students identify butterflies and moths common in the state of Iowa as well as their characteristics. Students then learn the proper...
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Understanding language registers as a means to more effective communication
Students become familiar with registers of language through class discussion and exposure to examples of a common fairy tale written in two different registers. Working in small groups, students then translate a story into two different...
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Be a Responsible Citizen: Vote!
Pupils explore American citizens' rights and responsibilities through group research on the Internet and develop a presentation for the class.