National First Ladies' Library
Vegas and the Mob
Students identify with and interpret the role of organized crime in the development of one of America's most vibrant cities. Then they look into the city's establishment and development, follow the role of organized crime in its...
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Expository Writing
Fourth graders create Inspirations webs with graphics, and write five paragraph essays.
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Historical Episodes
Young scholars choose a historical book set in the Civil War. They create a flow chart of the steps involved in producing a film. They select one scene and prepare props, costumes and setting for the scene.
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Famous Leaders
Learners explore the goals and visions they have set for themselves. They discuss realistic expectations for themselves and others. Students explore their own individual leadership styles by reading a biography of a leader they admire....
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It's A Jungle Out Here-Landscape Painting
Students work together to create a landscape painting. Using the musical "The Lion King", they must relate the painting to it and use while an adaptation is being performed at the school. Using the internet, they also review images from...
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Friendships and Differences
Students complete a variety of activities related to the book "My Friend Jacob" by Lucille Clifton. They complete a graphic organizer web about friendship qualities, and participate in a discussion about friendship. In small groups...
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Tessellations
Fourth graders use pattern blocks to create tessellations. In this tessellations lesson, 4th graders create tessellations from a tessellation web page and define a tessellation. Students find examples of tessellations in their world....
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Falling Leaves
Students create a painting of falling leaves. In this art lesson, students collect fallen leaves and paint over them using tempera or water color paint to make an outline. Students continue painting the leaves until their paper is...
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Short Stories and Sitcoms
Students compare 19th Century short stories to 20th Century sitcoms. They address seven questions as the watch a sitcom for homework and create a web to use for further comparison.
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Media Literacy
Learners watch a video a pre-taped TV commercials. They define propaganda and re-watch the video. Students choose a poster from Posters American Style and journal about their observations. Learners use the computer lab to develop tape...
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Weather "Whys"
Students complete activities to explore fall weather. For this weather lesson, students use the given links to examine weather forecasts. Students complete a weather graph activity and watch Internet field trips. Students complete fall...
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Star -Spangled Illustrations
Third graders create a PowerPoint presentation to show their patriotism and express their thoughts on the meaning of The Star-Spangled Banner with this exciting and creative activity.
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TOPSY TURVY MAPS
Eighth graders use the data analyzer and motion detector to collect data and measure distances. They create topographic maps drawn to scale of a given setup and relate the concepts to the creation of historical ocean maps.
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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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South American Gauchos
Fourth graders explore the culture and background of the South American Pampas and Gauchos. Through reading and discussion activities, 4th graders gather information about the Gauchos. To conclude the instructional activity, students...
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Pie Graph
Fifth graders examine fractional parts of pie graphs. Given a bag of M&Ms, 5th graders interpret the data. They use a paper plate and colors to create a graph of the types of M&Ms represented.
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Running On Empty
Students research causes of rising gasoline prices. They collect data on fluctuating gasoline prices and analyze the data using Excel. They write comparative essays supporting their results and create PowerPoint presentations to present...
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Rodent-borne Diseases: Getting the Facts Out There
High schoolers conduct research of the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). They obtain the information and create a public announcement in the form of a brochure, newsletter, poster, radio...
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In pictures: Young reporters tour TVC
Young scholars view a wide range of young reporters and their accomplishments. They view all the places they toured and then analyze one particular place in pictures. Students create a portfolio out of their pictures for view.
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Science: Draining the Land - the Mississippi River
Students use topographic maps to identify parts of rivers. In addition, they discover gradient and predict changes in the channels caused by variations in water flow. Other activities include sketching a river model with a new channel...
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Stop the Bus: Confronting Our Assumptions About Muslims in America
High schoolers explore Virginia Interfaith Center's A More Perfect Union "Misunderstanding" Ad Campaign, view two episodes of PBS America at a Crossroads series, examine historical context of colonialism and geo-political tensions in...
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Aquatic Ecosystems
Ninth graders record information on aquatic ecosystems and create a labeled diagram of an ecosystem of their choice. They can choose from an ocean zone, estuary, river, lakes, or beaches. The student has to explain their biome of choice.
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The Dangers of Being Obese/Overweight
Third graders determine if they are eating healthy. In this healthy living lesson, 3rd graders watch a video titled Happy Health and review the food pyramid. Students create a spreadsheet where they list their food intake for the week...
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Plotting Data on a Graph
Students investigate graphing. In this graphing lesson, students survey the class and create graphs to reflect the data collected.