Curated OER
That Was Then, This is Now: When I Was Puerto Rican
Students explain how geographic/cultural setting influences identity by comparing/contrasting Esmeralda's Puerto Rican self with her American self. They closely read text to pinpoint when Esmeralda was no longer Puerto Rican. Students...
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Making Art That Matters (Printmaking Option)
High schoolers plan and execute a relief print that attempts to protest or persuade. They focus on effective definition of shape, use of symbols, and impact on their intended viewers.
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Too Much of a Sweet Thing
Students examine the growing prevalence of processed sugar in the American diet, first through a demonstration that makes graphically clear the amount of sugar an average boy and girl consumes on a daily basis.
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Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Young scholars examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson. In this lesson on the Thomas Jefferson Library, students discover a methodology for creative writing by examining Jefferson's letter to congress explaining why they should...
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Political Systems in Louisiana
Students examine propaganda as it relates to political campaigning. They' attention be focused on a few important basic concepts they need to explain the functions and use of propoganda.
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My Inspiration Project
Young scholars explore what is very relevant in their personal lives during this project. They reflect upon past experiences and are encouraged to investigate what their post-high school graduation plans are.
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We Thank You, Veteran!
Fifth graders use information from videos, picture books, and relatives' military backgrounds to write a short or extended message of gratitude on a greeting card for local veterans.
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Senior Scrapbook Assignment
Twelfth graders write creatively and reflectively on 20 different events or memories that shaped their senior year. They organize memorabilia into a scrapbook with 20 entries and create a cover that represents their senior year. They...
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Persuasive Paper: RFID
Learners write a persuasive essay. In this persuasive writing lesson, students argue either for or against RFID technology. Learners research RFID both as a class and individually, and follow paragraph-by-paragraph instructions to...
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Extemporaneous Speeches
Students perform the six steps of writing an extemporaneous speech including, choosing a topic, researching, writing, practicing delivering and processing.
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Bumper Stickers: A Matter of Focus
Honk if you love bumper stickers! Long used as a persuasive tool, bumper stickers are used to launch this study of persuasive writing. Each class member is given a bumper sticker and asked to formulate three questions the strip might...
Classroom Law Project
Should we believe everything we read? Becoming a discerning consumer of media
Class members investigate the role media should play in a healthy democracy. As part of this study, groups analyze political advertising, use FactCheck to assess not only the veracity of but the persuasions techniques used in candidates'...
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Not Hurting Others
Students are encouraged to use gentle persuation rather than bullying and recognize how their behavior affects others. Students reflect to themselves with provided questions, read a story and reflect about how the characters acted, and...
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Constitutional Convention
Eighth graders investigate Constitutional Convention debates. In this early American history lesson, 8th graders analyze speeches delivered by Benjamin Franklin at the convention and then research Franklin's life. Students also define...
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Design a Stamp
Students research a famous scientist or mathematician, design a stamp to honor their work, and write persuasively about why this person and their work should be honored on a stamp.
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Endangered Species Act
Students spend the duration of this lesson examining the text of the Endangered Species Act. Individually, they complete a profile to determine where they stand on the bill and read excerpts from it. Some role-play the various members...
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Identifying a Message's Purpose
Young scholars examine the character trait of perseverance and identify a message's purpose. They read a biography of Jackie Joyner Kersee, discuss the main message, and develop an action plan with goals and a message.
Education World
Literary Bash
Students create a Halloween party or event based on a piece of literature they're reading during the season. This allows the students to plan a celebration and discuss a unique title for their themed celebration along with theme-related...
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Many Happy Returns
Students compare the journey of Lewis and Clark with the space flight of Apollo 11. Students sequence events using a timeline. Students write a persuasive essay trying to persuade the people of the US to support space exploration.
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Identifying an Author's Purpose
Students read, "Research Shows TV PSAs Effective In Reducing Teen Marijuana Use", discuss the article with questions imbedded in the lesson and write their own PSA.
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Facing the Challenge
Sixth graders identify and understand the impact of the environment on human experiences. They conduct research using the Internet and other available resources and use research to summarize their findings about the Lewis and Clark...
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Power of the People
Students determine the meaning of democracy and investigate accomplishments of a number of United States presidents. They look at images of the presidential one dollar coins before they determine how the job of the president differs from...
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Martian Travelers
Fourth graders complete a WebQuest about life on Mars. In small groups they conduct the WebQuest online, and write down five facts using a minimum of three different references. Students then organize and present their information to...
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Using Multimedia to Teach Core Democratic Values
Students produce multimedia presentation to fellow class members on one of the Core Democratic Values, such as patriotism or civilian control of military, that is part of State of Michigan Social Studies Framework.