Curated OER
To Be Or Not To Be... (Hamlet)
Students complete a unit of lessons on William Shakespeare's Hamlet. They analyze the plot, themes, and characterization, relate songs to thematic issues, develop plot summaries and translations, and compare the play to a movie version.
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Across Five Aprils/Civil War
Eighth graders study the Civil War novel, Across Five Aprils, by Irene Hunt. They review vocabulary and literary elements and write a "Brother Against Brother" essay about coming face to face with a brother in one of the battles of the...
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From Seeds to Plants
Second graders review the process of plant reproduction and the role of seeds in that process. The students dissect a seed, analyze their finds, collect and record data, and make predictions about seed germination and plant growth.
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Bear Hunt
Students are introduced to the technique of pantomime. In groups, they take a story and create a pantomime for it to perform in front of the class. They also practice ways to change their body posture and facial expressions to...
Orange County Department of Education
Integrity and "Thank You, M'am"
Ninth graders explore the definition of integrity through a class discussion. They provide positive/negative examples from the story and their own experiences. Students determine character traits by analyzing the dialogue in a short...
Orange County Department of Education
The Lost and Found
Third graders explain the definition of integrity and respect and provide examples from the story The Lost and Found's characters and their own lives that illustrate both. They describe in their journals why and how they think Wendell...
Curated OER
Ecology
Young scholars personify ecology vocabulary and write a one-act play using their knowledge of ecology as the basis for characters, conflict, setting and plot.
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The Name You Once Gave Me, by Mike Phillips and The Dying Wish by Courttia Newland
Students read, analyze, critique and study the novels, "The Name You Once Gave Me," by Mike Phillips and "The Dying Wish," by Courttia Newland. They evaluate an extract from each novel and consider how a theme can provide a framework for...
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One Pager
Students read the novel, Freak the Mighty and describe and illustrate the setting. They create a graphic organizer that demonstrates the major plot elements and character development.
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Movie Making
Students use a program titled Movie Maker to create movies on the computer. In this movies lesson plan, students create scenes, add background music, and more.
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Short Story Framework
The class gets creative after listening to a short story containing a definitive structure. They are required to think about character, relationship, and setting, while attempting to show rather than tell, in their writing. Dialogue,...
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Robert Munsch: Author Study
Learners study Robert Munsch's style of writing. In this literature lesson plan, students read many of Robert Munsch's books, write a list of the characteristics found in his books, and write or orally tell a...
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Young Learner's Writing Workshop 1
Students become familiar with writing an essay in English. They are given an overview of basic essay writing styles. Students develop skills that are used when analyzing texts as the basis of their essays.
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What's So Nice About Fairy Tales?
Seventh graders modernize a fairy tale, then compare their version with he original version and determine whether or not they've changed the author's original intent.
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Commercial Success?
Students share and discuss opinions regarding the tone and content of two commercials presented during Super Bowl XLI. They critique a commercial from past Super Bowls and a commercial that ran during a television show.
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Literature Circles
Fourth graders work in groups in order to motivate one another to develop reading comprehension and literacy skills. The skills are built through the sharing of fine literature. They maintain a reading log to keep accountable for the...
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Unknown Vocabulary
Pupils develop the vocabulary necessary to make their reading meaningful. After creating pre-reading activities, students a list of unknown vocabulary related to their reading selection. They complete vocabulary and context vocabulary...
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Origami Paper Cranes
Students complete cross-curricular activities to study the culture and humanity in Japan. Students read the book Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes and complete social studies and art lessons related to the book as well as develop an...
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The Rain Cycle
Third graders draw the rain cycle. In this rain cycle lesson the students listen to the story The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tommie DePola. As they listen to the story they sketch what is happening. The students write a sentence for...
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Get to Know Snow!
Young scholars learn about snow. In this snow themed instructional activity, students read a book, make a painting, and observe snow. A math activity timing how long it takes for snow to melt is included.
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From Fact To Fiction: Moby Dick
Students examine what makes a tragic hero and whether Captain Ahab fits the criteria. In this literature activity, engage in group discussions and examine Captain Ahab from the novel Moby Dick. They will then engage in a...
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Fearlessness and Confidence
Students develop confidence to face up to problems and fears in order to deal with them safely. They recognize that family and friends should care for each other. Students go through a series of activities that they interact with,...
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The 3 Little Pigs
Second graders create new endings to The Three Little Pigs. They read and discuss The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and compare it to the original version. After comparing the two versions, they write a friendly letter to the wolf...
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Mapping Comprehension
Students explore story structure. They discuss questions they can ask themselves while silently reading. Students implement their story knowledge by making story maps. They read The Little Pink Rose and the Cloud and create a story map...