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The Meaning of Dreams
Learners reflect on the meaning of dreams and how scientists study dreams. They read and discuss the article "Winding Through Big Dreams Are the Threads of Our Lives." They write personal summaries and analysis of memorable, vivid dreams.
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Character Education: Caring- Oprah Winfrey
Students explore celebrity philanthropy. In this character development activity, students read an article and discuss Oprah Winfrey's involvement in several charitable organizations.
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Trust Circles
Students explore trustworthiness. In this character development lesson, students brainstorm synonyms for trustworthiness. Students consider two communities to which they belong, and compare and contrast these communities by completing a...
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The Ultimate Athletic Background
Eighth graders analyze the criteria used to identify "Soul of a Champion" athletes. In this Current Events instructional activity, 8th graders write, edit and organize a script for a “live” documentary on the athlete. Students...
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Minding the Media
Learners reflect on the fairness of rating movies, television, radio, books, magazines, Web sites and other media. They submit their own entries for a media rating guide.
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The Past Is Gone, But Not Forgotten
Students examine the role of historic sites in preserving the past, and use a NY Times article about a preserved 19th century farm as a springboard for discussion about the conservation of other historic sites and research about historic...
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Power House
Students reflect, speculate, identify, research, and create a blueprint for renewable energy sources.
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Art in Crafts
Students examine the concept of craft and, by creating blueprints for various craft objects, explore the advantages and disadvantages of craft in our modern world.
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You Can Bank on It
Students analyze the impact of the J.P. Morgan/Chase Manhattan merger, and predict how the merger affect the company's financial performance. They create annual reports for the company based on their predictions.
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War Stories
Learners explore their feelings about the United States' invasion of Iraq. Using newspaper headlines and articles as a starting point, students express their emotions through creative writing.
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Counting Calories
Students evaluate the health of breakfast foods. They create and solve word problems using cereal nutrition data. They solve additional problems formulated in class and write short essay on what they learned.
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Generation Tech
Students explore the work ethic and world view of the current "gamer generation." They brainstorm, describe, analyze and document the latest technology to create a virtual time capsule for a future generation.
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Spin Cycle
Students explore the concept of "spin" and discuss how politicians use spin to sway public opinion. A leading American politician is selected and talking points that exemplify the main idea of this lesson are shared with the class.
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The Raid on Raters
Pupils read and discuss the article "Hollywood Rethinks its Rating Process." They discuss their views on the rating system. Students work in small groups to role play a "headhunting" company to find applicants for a new and improved...
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Minding Your Body
Students explore the benefits of yoga and meditation by studying baseball players who incorporate them into their pre-season training. They investigate a variety of mind-body techniques and create a presentation for the class.
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Sharing Beauty Through Song
Students perform a song for their school community. In this music lesson, students sing the philanthropic song See Me Beautiful by Red Grammar and reflect upon the lyrics. Students perform the song for their school community.
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Character Education: Perseverance
Students analyze and define the word perseverance as it applies to Martin Luther King, Jr. In this Martin Luther King, Jr. lesson, students discuss the book 'I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King.' Students analyze the meaning...
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Trustworthiness
Sixth graders evaluate trustworthiness in others. In this character education lesson, 6th graders brainstorm items that are trustworthy, and then list attributes of trustworthy friends. Then students read a story to evaluate the...
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Great Leap Forward
Students explore Web sites dedicated to Leap Day and leap years, create a checklist for reviewing Web sites, and write reviews of Leap Day and leap year Web sites.
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Eye in the Sky
Students use the Internet to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the Hubble Space Telescope by participating in an Internet scavenger hunt, searching for information about the objectives, past successes and repair of the telescope.
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Making Memories
Students write reflective essays discussing some of their most poignant holiday memories. They illustrate their writing with original artwork and photographs to contribute to a class-designed holiday memory book.
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Irish Literature Scavenger Hunt
Fourth graders locate and evaluate various books, journals, anthologies, and Internet sources that contain information that may be used in answering the scavenger hunt questions related to Ireland and Irish literature.
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Fraction Clue Box
Students distinguish between proper and improper fractions. They create a "Character Clue Box" that represents a fraction. Fractions are picked from a hat and then groups go outside and search for items that represent their fraction....
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Testing the Test
Students examine the validity of standarized tests. They explore the emotions felt during a test and ways to prepare for a test. Students interview teachers about testing. Students create a student guide to testing.