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Bible: Symbolism in the Church
Students discover the meaning of symbols, artifacts, and other architecture in the church. In this church symbolism lesson, students work in groups to research symbols and images and present their findings to the class. ...
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Mesopotamia
Sixth graders find information on three culture universals which they choose for their research. They organize their notes and select illustrations to be used in the final report.
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Work: Popular, Trade, or Scholarly
In this popular, trade, or scholarly article learning exercise, students read and review at least three given articles. Students identify the type of article and give reasons for their choice. Students are given a list of questions...
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It's Written in the Stars!
Children create narrative accounts about their character traits, illustrate the constellation of each sign of the Zodiac, and write and illustrate their own creative myths about an original "Zodiac Sign". They use the computer as a...
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Stars and Galaxies
Eighth graders define constellations and how they are used as reference points and identify stars and constellations in the nighttime sky. They construct their own planetarium star finder and identify the location of circumpolar, zodiac,...
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Making Magic
Students assess the elements of J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series that have made it such a success. They incorporate these elements into a short film, incorporating such concepts as pop culture mythology, urban legend and archetypes.
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Introducing Tolkien and His Words
Learners identify and describe the types of narratives that made Tolkien the writer he was. In groups, they examine different myths and folktale motifs. They discuss what Tolkien meant by "faerie" and "eucatastrophe." As a class, they...
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Countering Homophobia: Feelings, Tolerance, Sexuality, Stereotypes
Students explore and discuss name-calling, feelings and myths relating to homosexuality through labeling feelings and participating in a game.
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Brillant, Beautiful Bats!
Learners use the internet to gather information on bats. They write their own bat poem and describe the differences between the parts of a bat's body. They identify how bats are important to humans and how they control the insect...
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Weatherman Phil
Third graders examine the life of a groundhog and their role in predicting weather. They write a postcard or a letter to Punxsutawney Phil on the Internet.
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Predicting Temperature: An Internet/Excel Learning Experience
Third graders use the Internet (www.weather.com) to find the high temperature for our locale and the high temperature for another city around the world. They keep track of the temperature in these two locations for 10 days.
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Rap as a Modern Poetic Form
Students write and listen to rap songs. They discover how common themes in rap are indicative of the problems, as well as the empowerments, that can be seen in our urban cultures today. They discover how rap is actually an evolution of...
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Stretching It
Students recognize the use of exaggeration and understand how it may enhance the story, painting, conversation or event. Students transfer their understanding of exaggeration as it is used in many places, ie., daily life, paintings,...
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Pigs Don't Wear Pants
Learners engage in the writing process and differentiate between what is real versus fantasy. They identify the rhyming words and follow the steps of writing to complete the page for the class book. The prompt is checked looking for...
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Getting the Best out of Book Buddies
Students explore the best approaches to reading with book buddies (younger students). Students create a student-friendly definition for "mentor" and identify traits of a success that a mentor displays. They examine literature for...
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Dateline: Troy
Students read an abridged version of The Odyssey andl write a composition comparing Odysseus or the Iliad with Odysseus of The Odyssey. Students write a speech that King Priam would make in the attempt to persuade his son, Paris, to...
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Culture Clash: New World Meets Old
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus. Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...
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Prayers for Paankhenamun
Students use the internet to research one of six Egyptian gods and goddesses of the afterlife. They focus on physical attributes, symbols associated with and the role played by that deity into the afterlife. They write a letter to their...
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The Other Side of Paradise
Eleventh graders explore the life and writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald. They examine the youth culture of the 1920's and compare it to their own. They practice using some of the biographer's or archivist's tools for studying a person.
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Multicultural Sun, Moon, and Star Activities
Students research the multicultural stories and artistic representations of the Sun, Moon, and stars. In this multicultural space lesson, students discuss the symbols and stories for the sun in various cultures. Students construct a...
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Inspired by Muses, Graces and Fates
Students examine how artists express the Muses through the arts. In this art and history lesson, students work cooperatively to identify the Greek Muses, Graces and the Fates. Students will identify the attributes of each, participate in...
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The Great Chicago Fire: Did Mrs. O'Leary's Cow Really Cause It?
Students research the Great Chicago Fire and its myths on how it started. They use their critical thinking skills to determine what really happened. They write an essay supporting their opinion on the fire.
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Cracking the Mirror of the Past
Young scholars compare and contrast two pieces of artwork in regards to their nastalgic elements. Using the internet, they research local religious institutions in their area and note their function in society. They also compare and...
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Sadako
Students engage in a literature study in order to comprehend the times of the Japanese during World War II. Specifically they look at the life of a little girl named Sadako in Hiroshima and how she overcomes her deadly disease of Leukemia.