Channel Islands Film
Dark Water: Lesson Plan 2 - Grade 3
A discussion of bioluminescence launches an investigation of animal adaptations. After re-watching the opening minutes of Dark Water, class members listen to a reading of What Do You Do with a Tail Like This, and then create a new...
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Using Photography To Enhance A Story
Students read text and study examples of good usable photography for newspapers. They see how to crop photos for maximum effect, and to better tell the story. They tell a sports story by choosing the best and fewer photos that have the...
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Africans and Women in Jamestown
Students examine the first settlement at Jamestown and its citizens. Using the internet, they discover the role of women and Africans in Jamestown. They role play what the settlement was like before and after women and Africans coming...
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Revolutionary War
Middle schoolers examine the role of Virginia during the Revolutionary War. Using an inflatable ball, they toss the ball around the room and answer questions related to sayings on the ball. In groups, they play a game to reinforce...
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The Human Jigsaw
Fourth graders, using Thomas Paine's "The Crisis, No. 1" from The American Crisis, form a human jigsaw.
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Traveling the USA
Students simulate the role of travel agents addressing the needs of a foreign family visiting a state in the US. They prepare a presentation and informational sales pitch of a proposed travel itinerary.
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Louisiana Purchase
Students use maps to locate and describe the area purchased by the Louisiana Purchase. In groups, they write a letter to Thomas Jefferson in which they evaluate the topography, climate and geography of the land. They determine the land's...
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Habitat Hunt
Third graders read several nonfiction texts and practice finding the main idea for the text as well as learn about various habitats. In this main idea lesson, 3rd graders read several nonfiction texts and make habitat cards. Students...
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All Aboard! All Aboard! The Essay Train
Third graders enjoy a train ride with The Little Engine That Could and discover how to create a five-paragraph essay train. This clever lesson plan has students use each boxcar of the train as a template for a paragraph.
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Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West
Students work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
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Anticipatory Set Picture Walk
The teacher models a Picture Walk by using a "think aloud" method while reading a picture book to the class. On the second day, 3rd graders use a worksheet as a guide for a second picture walk. This time, students complete the "think...
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Religious Dissent
Students perform a readers theater about Anne Hutchinson and her religious dissent. In this religious dissent lesson plan, students re-enact her trial through the reader's theater.
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How the West Was One: A Layered Book
Students create a layered book about the information they learn about the Western region of the United States. In this Western states lesson plan, students create a book about the land, economy, and culture.
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Maize to Maquiladoras: Movement from Mexico to Arizona
Fourth graders label maps of Arizona and Mexico to show the people, goods, and ideas that have moved between the two places. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, 4th graders summarize the effects of the movement on Arizona life.
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Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
Learners compare and contrast "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" and "Civil Disobedience" by writing a paper using MLA format.
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Mardi Gras Madness
CStudents create a sensory chart in on the topic of Mardi Gras. They design a brainstorm web using Inspiration and complete creative writing assignment. Students write a poem about Mardi Gras that is presented to the class at the final...
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Gathering And Analyzing Information
Students participate in a lesson that focuses on the skill of analyzing information. They pick the subject for keeping engagement throughout the assignment. The information is analyzed using higher order thinking skills and they develop...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pictures and Print: What's the Difference?
Students watch a PowerPoint presentation. In this early literacy lesson, students watch a PowerPoint presentation describing print from pictures and the difference between the two.
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Where is Flat Stanley?
Learners create a story map of the basic elements and significant events of the book Flat Stanley. Students brainstorm places they would like to visit if they had been flattened and then, write about an imagined experience. Learners...
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Ida Tarbell: Hysterical Woman vs. Historical Facts
Learners examine journalism and its different styles. In this effective communication instructional activity students create an editorial message and articulate an article.
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So, Who Is It?
Students brainstorm adjectives that describe people, discuss different ways of comparing and/or finding contrast in describing a person, and write drafts of their descriptions.
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A Journey Through The Seasons
Second graders demonstrate creative movement, singing in canon or rounds, and playing instruments while taking "a musical journey through the seasons" in this second grade General Music lesson. Songs and discussion questions are...
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Singing In Canon
Third graders analyze and discuss the four seasons and how each can be represented in song form. This instructional activity is intended for the third grade Music classroom but could be adapted for any elementary grade. State and...
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Peer Editing
Sudents read and critique three of their fellow classmates' science fiction short stories on three consecutive days for mechanics, short story elements, style, and informational elements.