Smarter Balanced
Poetry
How does poetry differ from other forms of writing? Class members view two writing samples, decide which one is a poem, and then identify the criteria they used to distinguish between the two samples.
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You Too Can Haiku
Students conduct Internet research and explain the history of Haiku. After listening and reading various examples of Haiku, students use their own vocabulary and practice their math skills to determine the correct number of syllables...
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Literary Lingo
Students make connections between reading and writing. In this language arts lesson, students explore literary elements as they examine a number of texts and practice implementing figurative language into their writing.
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Reading Into Rabbit
Eighth graders explore the art pieces found in the Missoula Art Museum. In this lesson, 8th graders select two pieces of art from the coyote section by going to the Missoula Art Museum website, and then create a collage portrait from...
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"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
In this "The Tell-Tale Heart" worksheet, students write an essay about how Edgar Allan Poe keeps the reader in suspense. The worksheet helps students construct the essay through eleven different scaffolding steps.
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Revolutionary War
Students identify and research significant people, causes, and primary documents of the U.S. Revolutionary War. They create a class Revolutionary War web using Inspiration computer software, write a journal depicting three days in the...
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Memories, A Connection to the Past
Students read four or more books. They make predictions before reading, complete a picture walk, read in partners and complete graphic organizers. Various graphic organizers are provided in English and Spanish.
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A Separate Peace: Chapter 5 Reading and Study Guide
In this study guide for chapter 5 of A Separate Peace, young scholars complete 4 vocabulary definitions, 2 literary term definitions and 9 short answer questions. Finally, students respond to a given passage.
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Global Greenup
Students utilize satellite images to track the life cycle of vegetational growth over a large area. Animal migratory patterns are compared to this cycle.
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Shakespeare: The Nature of Writing and the Writing of Nature
This lesson plan uses Shakespeare's writing as a model for elementary students, encouraging them use their imaginations to explore to the evocative powers of language. It gives them a manageable piece of text which they can master and...
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The Shakespeare Crowd
Learners study the life and times of Shakespeare. They read and analyze one of his plays and use the Internet and videos to gain an understanding of how Shakespeare engaged his audiences, then and still today.
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It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
Using Alpha Smarts, 3rd graders write a "Story-in-the-Round". The end result of this project is one story for every student in the class that has been written by the entire class. Students create a PowerPoint presentation with a...
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Introducing Visual Literacy
Students view examples of images and discuss why a director or writer chose these images. Using different forms of media, they develop their own standards by which to judge television or films. They discover the use of visual literacy...
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A World of Symmetry
Students identify lines of symmetry. In this symmetry lesson, students create objects and identify their lines of symmetry. They answer questions about lines of symmetry. Students cut shapes out of cookie dough and...
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Language Arts: Creating Multimedia Reports
Ninth graders create multimedia presentations about their backgrounds and family heritage. They discover how to use the necessary computer skills and practice them in pairs. Students present their projects to the class and have a general...
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Teaching Selected Poems from Jim Wayne Miller's the Brier Poems
Young scholars explore the basic elements of poetry through Appalachian life poetry. In this poetry lesson plan, students read seven poems from Jim Wayne Miller's the Brier Poems and complete poetry analysis activities for each poem.
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Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs
Students investigate the dangers Coral Reefs face by investigating satellite images. In this environmental protection instructional activity, students utilize the Internet to discover the types of satellites and sensors used to...
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Migration of the Neo-Tropical Songbirds
Fifth graders plot the migration of birds using Google Earth. For this lesson on bird migration, 5th graders work in groups to plot the migration of a group of birds using Google Earth. Students present and discuss their findings and...
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Lift Every Voice and Sing
Students analyze sculpture, poetry, and music to gain an understanding of historical events. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at African-American history as they examine "Lift Every Voice and Sing'"...
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Class Field Guide to the Sloughs
Students explore how to use field guides to identify wildlife. In this nature lesson students construct their own plant field guide.
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Images of the Parks
Students explore U.S. geography by completing a research project about the National Parks. In this scenery image analysis lesson plan, students identify the different national parks in our country and observe paintings and images by...
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Soliloquy Performances
Young scholars investigate soliloquies. In this performing arts instructional activity, students discuss figurative language within soliloquies and then perform a soliloquy to the rest of the class.
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Interpreting Political Cartoons in the History Classroom
Learners analyze political cartoons. In this historical perspectives lesson, students use the provided cartoon analysis worksheet to examine the political cartoons that their instructor shares with them.
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Tell Me That You Love Me 5-7-5
Students listen to several examples of Haiku poetry and discuss the strict format. Then students create and edit their own Haiku poems and enhance them with ink designs.